So I’m reading The Temptation today, so I can remember the story that I told… and imagine my confusion when suddenly there’s a brand-new character in it, talking and interacting with the other characters–and no indication how she got there.
Well, okay, I know who she is and why she’s there, but no one else will. At first I thought I had somehow dropped a scene. Uh, no–more like a whole chapter. Chapter VII, to wit. Like what is this–Oy, Rodney? But yeah, Chapter VII’s missing.
I cannot explain why the chapter isn’t there. Just saying I forgot to type it in doesn’t really answer the question. And nobody caught it, first time around.
Happily the chapter is still on my hand-written legal pad, so I can type it up and plug it in. Now that I’ve done that, the book makes sense again.
But suddenly a thought: “Hey, wouldn’t that make a cool premise for a story? A writer finds a character in his book that he never thought of before–and he’s sure he didn’t put her in…”
“A writer finds a character in his book that he never thought of before–and he’s sure he didn’t put her in…” I’m completely inspired (to write it myself – lol). What a great idea for a story as a play and a book.
Chapter VII was probably hiding under the wading pool 🙂
Oh, no! Now that Lee has seen it, he’ll be having conniptions! 🙂
Funny how “Oy, Rodney” is becoming one of his most popular books. Maybe someday we’ll have the full hardcover edition … which will weigh about 20 pounds by the time it’s done … if it ever is.
Chapter VII could be turned into a horror story. Whoever reads it is doomed to an incomprehensible death.
I hate incomprehensible deaths.
That would make for an interesting plot twist. I’ve always admired how well Lee was able to keep track of his characters and preserve the internal continuity of his novels.
He was pretty shocked when he discovered that. He looked up at me and said “I think I lost 17 priests.”
How often, in all of history, has someone been able to sincerely say “I think I lost 17 priests”? I’ll bet not often. 🙂
We did laugh at that one.
Usually, losing 17 priests would involve a bus. 🙂