Sleeping Dragon

A new story is like a sleeping dragon. You just don't know what you're going to get when you nudge it awake.

This year for the first time since I've started writing, I don't really have a story I'm actively working on. So... I'm starting a new one--actually a new series. The first book I will call Shadows on Stone.

I've mentioned in the past that I have all my research and world building in place before I start writing. So yesterday I did research. Every writer has a different way of doing this. Some writers write the first few chapters and then delve into the things they need to know. Some research and develop their world as they write. And then there's writers like me that have to know their world before they can write the story.

I tend to research by immersion. I pick the topic and then spend hours surfing the web for every bit I can find on the topic and related topics. I print out every bit that "speaks" to me. Instinctively, I can tell if a tidbit is going to be important to me or not. That is what I did all day yesterday.

Today? Well, after I take down the Christmas tree... today I'll settle down with colored pencils and several sheets of drawing paper and I'll create my new world using the information I collected yesterday.

If all goes well, tomorrow I'll wake the sleeping dragon. Wish me luck.

anny