Today I finished reading The Young Richelieu. Elizabeth Marvik wrote a magnificent psychoanalytical biography of Cardinal Richelieu, chief advisor to Louis XIII. Having now read her biographies of both men, I feel equipped to move onto the next stage of Book 5 in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures.
I made notes in my notebook as I read the biographies. My next task is to make character sketches of the people who are going to appear in Book 5. Scrivener is excellent for this. I made notes of some minor characters that I shall need to research further. Several murders and other conflicts came to light that I will also need to research a bit more.
The beginning of the next book is relatively clear to me. I have a vague idea where it might end. I’m as yet unsure how big a role Sir Anthony is to play, nor whether Antonio has a role. Maria will without doubt play the lead. She is very attached to Louis, and Anthony is very fond of Marie de Medici, so they may find themselves on competing teams.
My greatest concern at the moment is what the theme will be. Perhaps I will discover it as I write. That is certainly what happened in The Suggested Assassin, and to a lesser extent in Fire and Earth. I knew what the theme of Called to Account would be, before setting fingers to keyboard. So it does worry me. It might have something to do with child development. Marvik has certainly given lots of food four thought in that area.
My one resolution is to take my time with this book. I’m going to read every paragraph over and over, before going to the next one. Is there a better word? Have I shown rather that told? Have I slipped into passive voice? I hope it will be worth it.