Ode to Frankenfile

There's a new file on my desktop. Within it is a mishmash of two separate files. Wielding my keyboard, I've chopped off limbs of each of the original files and have sewn them together with the skill of my mouse. In the three weeks remaining until November 6th, I'll give Frankenfile life (or a semblance of it) by filling in the empty spaces with detail. It's quite a task to undertake, but I'm enjoying it. I emailed a friend about my predicament and I don't think I could phrase it better than I did to him:

See, about a decade ago, I wrote a story. It was rather inspired and took me eight years to complete, but when I looked at the final version, I cringed. It was half backstory. So I told myself, "Self." ('cuz that's what I call me) "Self," I said, "why include all that backstory when we can write a prequel?" So the clouds parted and the rains fell and the peasants bowed down in worship to me. The manuscript was born. There was much rejoicing. (yay)

Then, recently, a very dear reader of mine spoke the tragic magick words after reading it, along with a section of the first book. "You should try to work the backstory of the second story into the first story." And the peasants squealed in terror of their beauteous goddess! (because it's hard when someone's right...but even harder when you realize that you'd been right the first time). She had some excellent points and was completely correct in thinking that I was too close to my story to see what was really good for it. We fantasy writers tend to think that everyone will be as fascinated with every friggin' detail of our characters lives as we are. We're wrong, but it doesn't stop us from flooding the nearby villages with backstory.

So I wrote a new outline (action-packed, intriguing, fast-paced) and now, donning my horned hat of justice, I'm pillaging the two separate stories for crucial details & semi-okay writing to include in the new book.

Now all I need is the brain of Abby Normal...