Writing a book with complex action . . . keeping it all straight for the reader

Years ago, in the 70s, my wife and I began reading Robert Ludlum books, starting with the Bourne Identity (Matt Damon plays him in 4 great movies). His books are so complex, I always believed he used a giant chalkboard (remember this is long before personal computers!) to keep track of things. I never found out how he did it, but that idea stuck with me as I began writing.

I've been writing Sgt. Dunn novels for a while now. The first one, Operation Devil's Fire, was published in July, 2011. The second one, Behind German Lines, was published in October, 2013. All of the books have multiple complex battles. For many of the battles, I had to draw a map (on paper, not a chalkboard) showing who was where.

Since I don't want to act as a spoiler, I can't show you the maps, but believe me, they were a challenge. I use graph paper and draw them as close to scale as my limited art skills permit. I label objects like rivers, vehicles, buildings, etc., as well as identifying each soldier or group of soldiers. I show the direction they're aiming their weapons and or of travel.

Once I have the map, I set about writing the battle, which sometimes stretches across several chapters. I refer to the map as I write, to make sure that if I have soldier #1 here, I don't suddenly have him there.

The book I'm currently writing (Sgt. Dunn #12) needed a map. Man, did it need a map. By the way, I use Google Earth for those locations that are real. That way I can describe exactly how it looks. I did that for this book. I also had to use it it to find out what the actual elevation of the terrain is, which I was able to put on the map a little bit like a topographic map.

When I started writing the first chapter of this particular battle, I made it a few paragraphs and stopped. I suddenly realized that this one required extra work. For the first time ever, I bullet point plotted every move in the chapters, in a sense, choreographing the action in words. That took quite some time to complete (5 pages).

I restarted writing and it's gone very well. I pleased to report I finished the battle sequence spanning several chapters today. Whew!

Of course, later, I'll have to edit it to make sure it's as clear and precise as it can possibly be for my readers.

I hope to finish the first draft of sd12 in about a week. Be sure to check back and see my progress bar in the upper left of the blog page.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Sgt. Dunn Novel #7, Castle Breach, on sale for only 99 cents!

See the nice ad on Manybooks.net

Sgt. Dunn Novel #7, Castle Breach, on sale for only 99 cents!

Sgt. Dunn Novel #7, Castle Breach,

on sale for only 99 cents!

D-Day Commandos & a French horse called "George"

While reading BBC.News today I found this great story about the British Commandos on their way to assault the now-named Pegasus Bridge. They met a farmer with a horse named George, who was pulling a cart . . . 

D-Day Commandos & a French horse called "George"

Remembering D-Day - 6 June 1944

A turning point in the war against the Nazis: 6 June 1944. Many of the men who died were around 18 years old. May we never forget the sacrifice of so many on that day. 

Landing craft headed to the beach

Men wading ashore

The American Cemetery in Normandy, France

Watch a Remote Control model of the Horten XVIII - the German jet bomber from Operation Devil's Fire

In Sgt. Dunn Novel #1, Operation Devil's Fire, part of the story is about the Germans building a jet bomber that can reach the United States.

Someone made a flying model using the Horten brothers' plans!

Take a look and enjoy.

Remote Control Horten XVIII in flight

Memorial Day - giving thanks

I'm so thankful to those who've given their all. Their sacrifice enables us individually and as a nation to survive and thrive. Please take a moment to remember them.

Arlington National Cemetery