So, here’s what happened. I started working on this book project. I wanted to do a sweeping epic that’s sort of a prequel to the Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum. I wanted to do it in such a way that it was dark, funny, and said a lot without really changing anything. That, I think we’re doing well.

And, when people like Al started asking me what it was about, I developed a full plot outline. Problem is that with a full plot outline, you run into certain limitations. Generally, well, in my case anyway, the acceptable length of a book. No one wants to read six hundred pages, or 1500 pages in a sitting… which I think is kind of a shame, but such is the reality of the situation.

Thing is, a simple plot outline is one thing. A chapter outline is quite another. And, seeing as that this is my first book, I didn’t really see the point in doing a chapter outline. That was 350 pages ago, and I’ve decided that a chapter outline really makes my life easier.

And so, after about a month and a half of letting the ideas simmer in my head, I’ve come up with one. I now know that I have 20 more chapters to write, what is going to happen in them, and how it’s going to end. Of course, the scope now is planned at four books, instead of one, and I’m already pushing twice the length of one of the originals, but it’s still a fun a project. So I think we’ll make it.

My dear friend and colleague JD Rose pointed out something interesting today, that I think warrants a look at. It’s a set of Oz videos on Youtube that presents a pretty radical, if even depressing look at Baum’s world. What I liked about it was that they’re all put together like one of those old PBS reading shows, where you have a picture or two, and a narrator reading from the book. These have sound effects too, which makes them interesting, and a little weird.

Here’s a link to “Fallen” one of the segments from the book.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4KW_AZuCkM

I know it’s been awhile since the last status report, but have no fear, another boring spreadhseet is coming your way soon.

Until we meet again,
I love you all.

Bloom