First, I just want to say I doubled the amount of content
that was originally in the prologue. I thought that would be appropriate since
that was probably the number one thing brought up during the critique of my
work. Since I did that, I decided for the second half of the workshop it would
be best to focus on expanding the content of the original “chapter 1” of my
rough draft. That way I would be able to flesh out the characters more, add
some understanding regarding the nature of Vidar and Groglack’s mission, and
hopefully add a second chapter to add on for the next workshop too.
I also
explained a few things brought up during the worksop, like how the orcs found
the village, how the man knocked over Morzul (actually I changed what happened
so it made a little more sense), and added a little more description of the
overall battle.
I also
would like to address that I refer to Morzul as “the giant orc” in the prologue
because I would like for the reader to make the connection in chapter one that
Morzul is the giant orc when Groglack and Vidar refer to him. If this is only confusing,
I can always change it…I just thought it would be cooler that way.
I have a
few ideas of what I could do next with the story. I thought about putting a
chapter about Vidar and Groglack when they are young boys right after the
prologue instead of what is now currently chapter 1. I am debating this, as I
think it could provide more info on how Vidar has adapted to an orc society,
but on the other hand I don’t know if it is needed.
Another
thing I am conflicted about is the situation of Vidar’s mother. I originally
intended for Morzul to kill her after she gave birth to Groglack, but I have
had another idea, which grew out of an idea I was given by someone in the
workshop. I am considering having Vidar’s mother, after Morzul captures her, to
voluntarily become Morzul’s wife. Not because she is trying to get out of being
killed or because she really wants to be his wife, but so that she can watch
over Vidar as he grows up. Vidar and Groglack grow up thinking she willingly
became the wife of Morzul, but eventually Vidar’s mother tells him the truth of
what happened. Vidar’s mother puts on this big charade of putting up with the
orc society with a smile, but deep down she is only going through this for the
sake of her son. Not even Morzul would know it was all an act. I am only
considering this idea though, I haven’t made up my mind.
Alternately,
or perhaps additionally, I am also thinking about throwing in a long lost older
sister of Vidar, who happened to be away from home during the orc attack. Maybe
Vidar runs into her somehow, like she
was looking for Vidar over the years. I am also unsure on this idea though.
Also, I
would really like to complete this story all the way to its end. It may be sort
of long, which will be a challenge for me. The longest thing I have written was
a 70 page novella, which honestly wasn’t that good, but I hope to challenge
myself by writing a longer work. I have ideas for how I want the story to
proceed and ultimately end, but I may need some help on how to write longer
work. But thank you for taking the time to read my story!
