"Apartment Manager" background files

This is the background file for "The Way of the Apartment Manager," which I used while writing that story. I thought I'd post it as an example of how I put together characters and stories. Not all writers work this way (honestly, I don't always work this way -- sometimes I use much more detailed outlines and background files, and sometimes I hardly use any at all), but I always like seeing the process behind other people's stories, so I thought I'd be egotistical and explain some of my processes.

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( Chapter outlines )

( Character profiles )

( The chuunin exam )

( The ending )

"Apartment Manager" background files

This is the background file for "The Way of the Apartment Manager," which I used while writing that story. I thought I'd post it as an example of how I put together characters and stories. Not all writers work this way (honestly, I don't always work this way -- sometimes I use much more detailed outlines and background files, and sometimes I hardly use any at all), but I always like seeing the process behind other people's stories, so I thought I'd be egotistical and explain some of my processes.

---------------------------------------------

( Chapter outlines )

( Character profiles )

( The chuunin exam )

( The ending )

family visit, and "Secrets" progress report

We had breakfast at Friendly's this morning, after which my mom helped me do laundry and my dad helped me hang my new mirror (the old one was dirty behind the glass and couldn't be cleaned). I feel I took advantage of them, but, y'know, they offered, and I did need to get that stuff done sometime...

Anyway, after that we had a light lunch in my apartment. There's a restaurant in Madison, NJ -- it's called the Garlic Rose -- that makes the most fantastic dipping sauce, sort of like a fluid garlic pesto, and they brought a tub of that up with them. We had French bread with garlic sauce and carrot sticks, and then some more chocolate cake for dessert. I do love chocolate cake!

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This afternoon, I wrote another 300 words of "Secrets," bringing chapter 10 to 5,600 words. This is good. I am nearly done with scene 4, which now includes dialogue with Electra -- I was kind of surprised by her reaction to the Valentine's Day fiasco! -- and I just need a confrontation with either Daphne or Susan. I haven't yet decided which girl to use; Ginny's more angry at Daphne, but if she confronts Susan instead, that would neatly parallel the scene in a previous chapter when Susan confronts Ginny after Potions... Eh. I'll figure it out when I get there. Then I can go to scene 5, which includes a failed attempt to retrieve the diary, more well-meaning interference from Percy (he's just such a useful plot device, as well as fun to write), and a conversation with Apple.

I wonder if I can finish the rough draft by Valentine's Day?

...

Past evidence says probably not. *sigh*

family visit, and "Secrets" progress report

We had breakfast at Friendly's this morning, after which my mom helped me do laundry and my dad helped me hang my new mirror (the old one was dirty behind the glass and couldn't be cleaned). I feel I took advantage of them, but, y'know, they offered, and I did need to get that stuff done sometime...

Anyway, after that we had a light lunch in my apartment. There's a restaurant in Madison, NJ -- it's called the Garlic Rose -- that makes the most fantastic dipping sauce, sort of like a fluid garlic pesto, and they brought a tub of that up with them. We had French bread with garlic sauce and carrot sticks, and then some more chocolate cake for dessert. I do love chocolate cake!

------------------------------------

This afternoon, I wrote another 300 words of "Secrets," bringing chapter 10 to 5,600 words. This is good. I am nearly done with scene 4, which now includes dialogue with Electra -- I was kind of surprised by her reaction to the Valentine's Day fiasco! -- and I just need a confrontation with either Daphne or Susan. I haven't yet decided which girl to use; Ginny's more angry at Daphne, but if she confronts Susan instead, that would neatly parallel the scene in a previous chapter when Susan confronts Ginny after Potions... Eh. I'll figure it out when I get there. Then I can go to scene 5, which includes a failed attempt to retrieve the diary, more well-meaning interference from Percy (he's just such a useful plot device, as well as fun to write), and a conversation with Apple.

I wonder if I can finish the rough draft by Valentine's Day?

...

Past evidence says probably not. *sigh*