I have now outlined everything in Altarwise by Owl-Light that takes place before the book actually starts. Which is actually pretty major, as the backstory covers five or six distinct ontological realms and about fifteen hundred years, absolutely all of which is necessary.
And I've named three of the characters, one of whom is the protagonist. (Actually, he's had a name for a while, but it was always sort of a Provisional Name, and now I know it's set in for the long haul.) This is also major, because the names have to resonate on as many levels as possible so that if necessary they can actually tell me new things about the characters.
So I'm starting to feel as though this is going to be a book, as opposed to a random collection of notes to myself. It's a good thing.
And I've named three of the characters, one of whom is the protagonist. (Actually, he's had a name for a while, but it was always sort of a Provisional Name, and now I know it's set in for the long haul.) This is also major, because the names have to resonate on as many levels as possible so that if necessary they can actually tell me new things about the characters.
So I'm starting to feel as though this is going to be a book, as opposed to a random collection of notes to myself. It's a good thing.