Pages and chapters

Having restrictions on the number of pages makes things more difficult, but also much more interesting.

Since the begining, "Bird" was always supposed to be a three chapter story, each chapter containing 15 pages. Even though I started making this story for a project that I later gave up and restriction in page numebrs was no longer needed, I still held on to that idea.

Somewhere by the end of 2nd chapter I got scared that I could not finish the story in 15 pages. For a while I thought I should make it a 4 chapter story.

Which I really think would be a wrong decision.

A 4 chapter story sounds like a short one, but not really. Sounds also like a long one, but not

really.

It just doesn't feel right.

Sorry that I don't have a more logic explanation than just what I'm feeling, but in this case, I'm sure it wouldn't work out.

Somehow, 3 chapters always seemed like the best idea.

On the other hand 15 pages doesn't make it all comfortable. I had to cut out some scenes, shorten others.

Here is an early version of third chapter's begining.

This version shows the same things happening as the final one, but with too much detail around: the house from outside, the other kids waking up, the girl outside the house, the girl inside the house... But having just 15 pages, I had to rethink the begining.

I think we could do without the descriptive stuff and it works even better. Instead of explaining all the circumstances, i tried to concentrate on the atmosphere. See the final version here.

What I'm trying to say with this is restrictions are not an obstacle, but sometimes a key to creativity (working your way around those restrictions!). It makes you think differently and not put the first thing you think of.
Although it also created some problems with the surroundings (why she's suddenly someplace else!?) I think sticking to my 3x15 pages was the best idea. If you know some of my previous work, you'd understand why I'm so contented that those 45 pages came out good. My usual number of pages is around 150, and there's a big chance to get lost along the way.

This week I got a very special present from one of Amilova's artists - LittleEndian. She drew the heroine of "Bird" and I was amased how she managed to capture her character. The drawing is just fabilous, I love it :)

I'd like to thank her very much for this. Inspiring people is all I want to do, and seeing this, it makes me think I'm on the right way :) Thanks!
Check out LittleEndian's story "Leaves" at Amilova