Does this count?

Another problem of course in having a blog is that while I am writing this blog I could be advancing the novel. Perhaps I'm getting too analytical about this.. . . or is that paranoid?

The important thing when writing, I believe, is to always have a view of that golden thread running through the story, never losing sight of it: the goal, the revelation, the quest, whatever. In Moran's case, it is a twofold quest: solving the murder and solving his persnal problems. So, a scene map is a good idea. I find that if I map out the scenes I never end up in the dreaded place - the blank sheet of paper. Even if you're not 100% sure of what's coming up (and characters regularly surprise me with their actions) outlining the basis and reason for the next scene or two is a great help and incentive. It's a good checker as well. Does this scene move the plot forward? If not, what's it doing there? It might be well written, but if it's not adding to the story you have to grit your teeth and let it go.

So scene mapping is a device to protect yourself from this painful purging process. I mean, come on guys, we have to edit out enough as it is, without wasting hours committing a dead-end scene to paper or PC just for the sake of moving on.

Speaking of which, I must move on.

Laterz.