Vaulting

Allegiance

The contents of this page are the result of a collaborative effort of Jack Woods and Thom Zantow in December 2007. 

SVSU accepts no responsibility for the content of this page. Comments on this page should be directed to tzantow@svsu.edu

Evolution of Pillars of the Earth

Working title: Vaulting

• Creativity Example #1 [pdf] Outline of the first half only (250,000 words) 2nd draft 29 January 1986 (7pp.) [Box 12 Folder 11]
  
  
• Creativity Example #2 [pdf] Chapter by chapter summary [no date] (5pp.) [Box 12 Folder 21]
  
  • Prologue 1123 "The Hanging"
  • Part One: 1135-1136 "The Old Cathedral Burns" (chapters 1-4)
  • Part Two: 1137-1138 "The New Church Begun" (chapters 5-7)
  • Part Three: 1140-1142 "William Burns Kingsbridge" (chapters 8-10)
  • Part Four: 1142-1145 "Jack Becomes Master Builder" (chapters 11-13)
  • Part Five: 1152-1155 "Aliena Marries Jack" (chapters 14-16)
  • Part Six: 1170-1174 "The Final Confrontation" (chapters 17-18)
• Creativity Example #3 [pdf] Correspondence from Albert Zuckerman 16 May 1986 (9pp.) [Box 12 Folder 24]
  • Mr. Zuckerman is enjoying the book more and more but does not like the title.
  • He feels this book will pick up many more readers
  • He breaks his criticisms into four categories
    • The need to add a sense of religiosity of the period
    • The climaxes of each book need more orchestration and building-up
    • Some characters need altering, such as additional background and an enriched network of relationships between them
    • The scenes need more building-up, his feeling being that they resolve too easily
  • Mr. Follett adds "No" or "Yes" as well as some handwritten notes for each of Mr. Zuckerman's suggestions
    
• Creativity Example #4 [pdf] Correspondence from Elaine Koster 23 July 1986 (1p.) [Box 12 Folder 25]
  • Reference to enjoying champagne as deal was made for books.
  • Originally intended to be three books, Elaine advocates condensing all three into one book based on reading Mr. Follett's "rough notes"
  • Offers suggestions for general improvements for pacing and plot development based on reading of the rough drafts
  • She closes with enthusiasm for this departure from Mr. Follett's past books
    
• Creativity Example #5 [pdf] Correspondence from Pat Golbitz 29 July 1986 (6pp.) [Box 12 Folder 26]
  • Based on reading the outline Pat strongly advocates condensing the proposed trilogy into one book
  • Perhaps prophetically, Pat goes on to say that there would still be ample opportunity to add further books that would "follow more organically"
  • Several suggestions follow regarding character and plot development
    
• Creativity Example #6 [pdf] Correspondence from Albert Zuckerman 10 February 1987 (4pp.) [Box 12 Folder 27]
  • Remarking on his previous two letters, which amounted to fifteen pages of suggestions, he promises to be brief
  • He compliments Mr. Follett for the modifications made to the outline to this point
  • A major point is made to develop the female characters, especially Ellen and Ann
  • From the outline the character of William "is a little too 'black' for my taste" though allowing that once scenes are written for him the reader "may see him more as he sees himself"
  • The third major point made refers to length, offering suggestions on that account
  • Three pages of specific suggestions follow on various points with Mr. Follett's handwritten annotations
    
• Creativity Example #7 [pdf] Correspondence from Margaret Wade Labarge 19 September 1988 (1p.) [Box 12 Folder 28]
  • Gratitude for Mr. Follett's letter and "cheque" for her services as historian consultant
  • A few detailed suggestions are offered to flesh out details and add plausibility based on historical accuracy and chronology
    

Working title: Allegiance

• Creativity Example#8 [pdf] Correspondence from Pat Golbitz: 27 February 1989 (2p.) [Box 12 Folder 29]
  • Cover letter for a 48pp. fax of suggested changes (included in Folder 29)
  • The comments are based on the second draft, though a third draft had just been received by Mr. Golbitz
  • The general comments on this cover letter are generally positive for changes already made in relation to previous suggestions
  • In closing: "You imbued the whole tale with the building of a cathedral in a passionate and awesome way which is trulty unique and truly unforgettable and then closed the circle"