Lost and Found

The to-do list for the next draft: places where the book contradicts itself, where it drifted from the plan, and real-history slips. They get checked off here as they're fixed.

1. structureShort story or seven-chapter novel

   The project is filed and published as a short story, but the bible lists the form as a novel of seven chapters in five acts. The public post already acknowledges the outline has grown. Decide the target length before drafting.

2. bibleFirm name: Rainier Accounting or Rainier Accounting Group

   The plot outline, chapter outline and character profiles call John's employer Rainier Accounting Group. The bible and the public post say Rainier Accounting. Pick one.

3. bibleTime ratio beyond the door

   The plot outlines, bible and public post say minutes beyond the door equal days at home. The concepts notes say hours there equal days. The ratio drives how long John is missing, so it needs one rule.

4. bibleThe Walker surname is shared with Not the End

   John Walker here and Henry Walker in Not the End share a surname, and both are family men who drift from their families. The public post points it out. Decide whether to rename one of them. Note that only the bible and the post give John a surname at all; the character profiles call him just John.

5. bibleEmma and Liam's ages

   Emma is described only as a teenager and Liam as the younger son. No ages are set, and the kids' ages shape how much they can do in the mirror town.

6. structureWhen Charlie comes along

   Charlie appears in the character profiles, bible and public post, but none of the chapter or act outlines says when the dog goes through the door or first speaks. His entrance needs a place in the outline.

7. bibleIs the mirror town John's own town

   The concepts notes say the mirror town is possibly a reflection of John's own town, or a town that stands for stagnation. The home town itself is never named. Decide which, since it changes what the family recognizes there.

8. structureWhy the world changed between visits

   John's first visit finds a serene world; when the family goes through it has turned eerie. The notes don't say why it changed, or whether Mr. Stone was there all along.

9. bibleWhere the shadow people go

   The outlines hedge on what freeing the shadow people means: moving on to an afterlife, or simply dissipating. The ending needs one answer.

10. structureChapter 4 carries the family's crossing

    The chapter outline puts the police interview, telling Rachel and the family's trip through the door all in Chapter 4, while the five-act outline gives the crossing its own act. Decide whether the crossing opens Chapter 5 instead.