So I’ve decided to start a new project – possibly the first in a series of Brief Guides to various civilisations that are less known than they deserve. First one is Byzantium, with the first part of the guide being an overview of just how complicated it can get when you ask “when did something start?” Titled, naturally enough, Byzantium Begins.

Chapter 19 is now rewritten, however the nature of those rewrites is going to lead to chapter 20 being rewritten just as thoroughly. I suspect I may have derailed this entire thing. It’ll be the better for it – I hope.

Not actually re-writing, having to do entirely new stuff. Which means I am going to have to iterate over all this stuff, which is why I’m not bothering to add the bumpers yet as I can do that when I go back over it. It’s almost like a system!

So it turns out that a) this entire chapter now is either superfluous or contradicts the new plot, and b) this chapter is essential to the flow of the story. Awesome. Measuring twice to cut once.

I’d be happier, but I remember what 19 is like.

Or at least not today. Three short conversations to get through, followed by a non-cliched expression of bafflement from a police officer. NOT HARD. But brain refuses to gell. I think I need to shift the scribbling earlier in the evening.

Not much to say – still grinding through this chapter. I’ll reach the other side eventually…

Another Holmes review, this time of Sherlock Holmes in Washington. Oddly, I like this film a lot better now than I did before writing this.

Yeah, this cart has come off the rails. Currently chopping the second half of this chapter to pieces and reconstituting. Will probably do some Actual Content tomorrow for a break.

Now hit the point in the rewrite where the final plot arcs start to kick off. However, I’m totally rewriting at least half of them based on the feedback that there wasn’t enough mystery in the plot. Basically the same arcs but rearranged. Plus I’ve added a spy. In the short term though? Back to red notes between paragraphs insulting past me. I hate that guy.