There are two ways to plan out this project overall:
- Figure out how I’m going to get from today to a finished manuscript a year from now.
- Identify the first milestone, plan for achieving that, then adjust as needed. Identify the next milestone, then repeat until the manuscript is finished.
I’m choosing Option 2. Until I get into the research more, I can’t do a good job of planning the entire project. I’d prefer to get started and adjust as I go, of course keeping the end in mind.
So for now, I’m going to define the first milestone.
I’ve already decided that I want to start with the surveyors of the road. I think you should always start a project with something you find really enticing, and these guys – Gibson, Dennis et al – were fascinating people in their own right. They also pioneered some new surveying standards that literally laid out the province of Ontario. But imagine if you will – pulling a length of metal chain 66 feet long through virgin forest, based on a sighting taken by a “circumferentor.” Better send the axemen in first to hack down all the trees that are in the way!
I’d like to start with a short time-frame, between now and the end of December. That allows me to assess and re-adjust before I get too far along. So here’s a bit of book math:
Days available, Oct 12 to Dec 23, not including weekends =
53 days
X 50% (Remember, this project is to be “joy, not a job.” This gives me plenty of contingency!) =
26 days
So here it is – [insert all appropriate fanfare]:
My first Goal/Milestone: Complete research on 19th century and modern surveyors of the road and their methods. Draft one or two stories highlighting the experiences of early settlers.
A more detailed task list is here: Task List Towards the First Milestone
Off I go!
It amazes me LeeAnn, the volume and depth of detail that is required to write such a story. How do you stay focused and not drown in the detail? How do you decide on how much detail to include?
Me thinks I’m going to enjoy following this journey with you.
Drowning is detail is definitely a risk! I try to keep myself afloat by remembering what is important to the story I want to tell…but part of how I find out what’s important to the story comes from doing more research! If you hear a lot of splashing and thrashing, throw me a line, will you?