My posts might be a little bit Ambeth-centric this week. I’m immersing myself deep in the landscape, taking the path through the woods to the Gate and stepping between the trees…
Hills and Valleys is the third book in my Ambeth series. I’ve already written it and am now at the structural edit stage – however you’ll know, if you read the last book, that there are a few emotional paths I need to tread in the third instalment and so I’m keen to get them right. When I wrote the first three books, I really wasn’t doing much else in the way of writing. I didn’t have a blog, didn’t tweet, and my freelance work was a lot less regular than it is now. So my spare time was spend wandering the gardens of my imaginary world (a lot less creepy than it sounds) making it easier to focus on the story.
I’ve already written about re-reading the first two books to get myself back into the story. This has worked exceptionally well. My next foray into Ambeth involves creating images of the places I’ve dreamed to life. I’m working on a map, a floorplan of the Palace and some illustrations of key areas inside and out, concentrating on details already mentioned in the stories. And so far it’s been great. As I draw, I can see the characters starting to move about, like actors on a stage set coming to life after the director yells ‘Action!’
So what tricks do you use to get back into your imaginary worlds? Or are they already there, just waiting for you?
Helen Glynn Jones 
I discovered I needed floorplans when I began to have trouble working out where my characters had ended up!
Yes, I’m having a bit of that – I can see the way the buildings work in my head, but need to make sure they could happen in real life. Plus there’s a main thoroughfare I need to place, so I know exactly where it goes. 🙂
I love your Ambeth centric posts lol!
Thank you! Ha, well you gave me an idea for another one the other day – coming soon… 🙂
Yay! Glad i can be of inspiration. You’ll have to let me know which one it is!
Thank you! Oh, I will – you’ll get a mention for sure 🙂
Oooh i wasn’t expecting a whole mention! 😀
😀
Reblogged this on Suzie Speaks and commented:
I really enjoyed Helen’s post about getting back into the imaginary world when writing… I’ve almost finished her first book and it’s fabulous! Hop on over and say hi!
Thanks Suzie! Hope you’re having a great weekend xx
God only knows. I have just put adultland down for a bit so I can start revising my first novel and the thought is terrifying. :s It feels like a million miles away.
Oh, I feel for you – especially as you’ve been in Nano world this month too! Hope it goes well, and when you start reading you can see what needs to be done 🙂 Good luck xx
ugh. NaNo did not go well. But yes – if I figure out an easy way to get back into it I will shout 😀
Oh no – NaNo is a very tough challenge – even taking it on is a brave thing to do. So I have fingers crossed you get back into your novel soon xx
Thanks Helen xx