Titilating Titles

I have recently finalised the names of each of the three books in the "Beneath A Broken Sky" trilogy. I have taken the approach to use unique, uncommon phrases that hopefully will add a sense of interest in the books. Oh, and they're also in another language.

I'm uncertain as to whether these names will stay, but so far they have existed quite solidly both on paper and in my imagination. The title of the second book in the trilogy has been in my head for a good number of years since I heard it while at university. Until now, I've never had a chance to use it, so I'm glad that it can finally be printed on a page and represent a solid aspect of my creativity.

The book titles aren't something pulled out of thin air. It's not like the name of that sequal movie involving high levels of speed and a cruise that gets out of control. You know the one I'm talking about... the preceeding movie to that sequal was about a bus or some mode of public transportation. There was an explosive device on board... you remember the one? Yeah.
Anyways, so the titles sufficiently represent something of each book. Each phrase is also utilised in each of the books by either a character or an event, location, building... anything. I'm not going to give away where the names are used... you'll just have to wait and read them for yourself. In any case, the titles will have strong reference to the plot of each individual book.

"Beneath A Broken Sky" is one story. There are three acts of the story's progression, with each act represented across three individual books. Below are the book titles of each of the three books:

Book 1:
Beneath A Broken Sky: Ante Finis

Book 2:
Beneath A Broken Sky: Ad Fundum

Book 3:
Beneath A Broken Sky: Lux et Veritas

As you can tell, the three sub-titles for each book are in Latin. If you can't tell, well.... they're in Latin. I chose Latin because it is one of the world's greatest languages. There are many other great languages, including the Chinese and Japanese dialects; the native tongue of American Indians; and also Aramaic. However, being an anglo-saxon who's primary language is English, I chose the language most common to me; the language which provided a solid base for the words I use today. I find Latin extremely interesting in an anthropological way. Although Latin is used very rarely in the books (probably restricted to the titles, lol), I liked the obscurity of it's presence in describing each of the three acts.

Admittedly, the translation of each sub-title is fairly straight forward and explains the story fairly simply. However, I'd rather not focus on the English variation of each sub-title, as - to be honest - they're a little boring. I'd rather incite curiosity and interest by having the reader decipher the phrases for themselves.

However... being a person who likes spoilers, I will let you readers know - exclusively - what the translations are... but be warned, they're not as exiting as you may think.

(Click and drag your mouse to highlight between these marks: * *

* Ante Finis = "Before the End" *

* Ad Fundum = "To The End" *

* Lux et Veritas = "Light and Truth" *

As you can see - or can't, as it may be - each of the titles gives you an idea on how the arcs progress. I hope all of you who read the secret text feel special now.

In the upcoming posts, I will outline the major characters for each book... I will also publish basic information regarding the book plots... so stay tuned.

Plot Point Ponderings

Developing plausible links and reasons to scenarios for characters is proving interesting. While the major plot points have already been established across the entire trilogy, the tricky part is now linking these points together in a way which is logical and believable. The story loses credibility as a "realistic" event if the reader is unable to believe the characters and the decisions they make to get from one point to another. I must keep this in mind as I write.

Often, whenever I have a character performing an action or making a choice, I first think to myself, "what would I do in that situation". Mind you, what I would want to do, and would do are sometimes completely different in reality. In those instances I must think, not only what I would do, but what would I do if I were a particular character?

Another troublesome aspect of the linking process between plot points is to make sure no holes develop along the way. Plot holes annoy the crap out of me, and I'd hate it if an incredibly obvious plot hole were discovered in any of my books. The main trouble of plot holes occurs when certain events that can compliment, contradict or completely negate other events occur over a space of "story time". In my books in particular, sometimes plot points are introduced very early on in the piece and then fade away for the remainder of the story's timeframe, only to come back later. For example, one plot point comes into action at the very beginning of Book 1, never to be spoken about again until the very end of Book 3. A few hidden tid-bits of reminders may be included throughout the text of the three books as a whole, but nothing significant.

I have also discovered that it is imperative not to add a new piece of information which negates or contradicts something that has previously happened - or will happen in the future - without the new information being pre-planned and scutinized carefully. Every time a new plot point is developed, I ask questions like: 'What are the repercussions of a certain act?' 'What other choices could a character make once the new event has been completed?' And, if adding a new event between two already-existing events, 'what choices must a character make to get from "Pre-Existing Event A" to "New Event" and back to "Pre-Existing Event B"?

I have documented many (if not all) of the characters actions in easy-to-understand timelines, which inturn assist me with knowing what each person did/thought/said, when they did it, where they were, and how they resolved the action. It is tough at times because one action has several plausible repercussions, with each repercussion having several more plausible choices resulting from it. Although the documentation has proven to be extremely beneficial, it's proving to be a very interesting task keeping track of everything and maintaining a believable progression for each of the characters.

I shall continue on, however, fighting the battles of writer's block, tricky character navigation and plausible plot ploints. Until next time...

Quintesential Quote

"Even with mankind's ability to create light, we still fumble in the dark without someone there to guide us." - Professor Raymond Landow, 'Beneath A Broken Sky: Ad Fundum'