/lit/ - Literature

Currently editing my 130k novel, about a third of the way in. I'm considering greatly expanding the length of the story by incorporating in another set of characters and storylines I already have written out (in a first draft I never got around to editing), because while I like what I have so far, it feels a bit like it's missing something. The two settings are connected so it wouldn't be a difficult thing, but it would probably make agents balk at the length (it would easily be over 220k).

The first story follows an initiate of an order of assassins who, in order to be accepted as a full member of his guild, is given a contract to kill the enemy of the Emperor of his home: a labyrinthine, machiavellian city-state that has been under siege by their enemy for generations. In his effort to complete the contract, he inadvertently causes a bunch of stuff to go increasingly wrong, and struggles with a conscience torn between his feelings of inadequacy and the collateral damage he causes, and his loyalty to his order and desire to be accepted. It also follows his best friend, already a full member of their order, as he slowly becomes disillusioned with the reality of their condition after stumbling on a deep-seated conspiracy.

The second story follows a dynastic war between three countries, and follows a war-weary prince who joins his father on a campaign in order to protect his younger, foolhardy brother. During the first major battle both the prince and the king are killed, but a sorceress who is accompanying their campaign as an envoy of a distant God-King resurrects the prince as part of her lord's scheme. The prince suddenly finds himself thrust onto the throne and fighting a war he never even wanted; and as his court, soldiers and people look upon him with increasing fear and distrust at the fact he returned to life, he finds himself forced to travel down a path of increasing ignobility in order to protect his only remaining family and to realize his father's dream. Yet at the same time, the white lady of death is outraged that the prince was stolen from her embrace, and masses dark and otherworldly powers to return him where he rightfully belongs.

What do you guys think? If I combine them, it would make a pretty hefty novel that could I could easily turn into a full series with all the ideas I have. The two main plotlines wouldn't directly converge for a while though, though where are definitely some small things that overlap, comparable I guess to Daenarys Targaryen's story being largely self-contained for quite a while in ASoIaF

Also, do you guys listen to music while writing? What kind? I'm very partial to some Adrian Von Ziegler, and if anyone has any other recommendations for similar stuff I'd love to hear them. I especially find that his Relaxing Music series really helps me concentrate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_kKFjwpwqc

What are some good books that go into the early Indo-European mythologies/ religions/ how the Aryan people are the ancestors of Rome/Greece? Or even some good books that delve into Indo-Aryan mysticism and esotericism?

How important/reliable is the editing process?

If I send work to an editor, and he makes 'corrections', and then I send the corrected version to a second editor, will the second editor mostly think "this looks like it's been solidly edited already, barring a few subjective things I would personally change", or will he act as though it's first draft?

I'm trying to come to a conclusion on whether it's worth me actually going to a professional editor or if it's mostly a meme that I can learn to do myself. Yes, I know there are absolutely tons of people out there who say editors are absolutely invaluable and you can't get by without them, but I'm pretty sure I'd say the same thing if I was an editor.

If you feel soulless, deprived by modernity, hopeless about the future of western spirit, listen to Gotterdammerung right now. I give you a possibility of redemption.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ww4JHkloa8
Listen from the beginning to the end.