Run Away Story
Often times I have an idea of how a story will progress. Perhaps I have outlined the plot and planned the scenes. But when I sit down to write, the story and the characters take on a life of their own. They may or may not follow the course I have set for them. I once set out to write a romance between Characters A and B. Character C played into the drama. As I wrote, though, Character C took over. The story became a drama between Characters A and C with Character B running interference. It turned out to be a great story, but not at all what I had originally intended. Later, I wrote a sequel which contained the romance between Characters A and B.
I find it quite useful to let the characters move the story in the direction they see fit. I let them come alive. I think my writing is better for it. Some say this is a bad idea; as the author, you are supposed to be in control of the story and handing that control over to the characters is dangerous. Perhaps. But my writing is better for it. If my characters come to life enough to take over the story and tell their own, all within the confines of some literary work, then the end result is not forced, it is flowing, glowing, burning with its own essence. And for that, I am grateful.
A Story is Born
Where do my book ideas come from?
My first idea for a novel came from a dream. I woke up from that dream and the story, the characters, played over and over in my mind. They had a grip on me and refused to let go. I couldn’t stop thinking about them or their plight. Day in and day out they would haunt me. Finally, I wrote them down just to get them out of my head! All of my story ideas are like that. They play through my mind, weaving in and out of my thoughts, transforming, mutating, coalescing into something workable. And in the end, I have a plot for a novel. Night dreams and day dreams are my most common source of inspiration.
My other source of inspiration is reading books. Often times, I’ll read a story and think, that’s not how I would have done it. So I run the “revised” story through my head. Soon, new characters emerge, new storylines emerge, and based on a story I once read, I have a whole new story of my own. Such is the case with the historical romance I’m currently working on. I read a good short story with a bad ending. I twisted it and turned it and made it my own. Soon it will be a novel with no resemblance to that original short story that prompted my own musings.
Walking through Walls and Conquering Demons
I am thinking about attending a writer's critique group in my area. However, I fear that if I let people critique my work as I write my chapters, I might get discouraged from too much “constructive” criticism and quit writing. My first and foremost goal is to get this first book written in full. Anything that could possibly detract from that goal has to be set aside. So I'm still debating.
The wall that holds me back is nondescript and blurry. Still, it’s there and it’s strong. I’m at the point now where nothing else matters but finishing the book. It doesn’t matter if the book sucks. It doesn’t matter if its not salable. What matters is that I break through this wall and finish it. After I’ve broken down that mysterious barrier, I can worry about revising, editing, rewriting. If I have to start all over and write it from scratch, so be it. The point is I will have conquered the demon that’s kept my works at bay for the last 6 years. That is what is important.
To conquering demons!
Wading through Concrete
Today I thought about returning to the contemporary romance I was working on before I switched to the historical romance. I won’t do it though. I see that line of thought, that desire, for what it is––a diversionary tactic. Another means of stalling. I wonder what it is that holds me back. A fear of failure? A fear or success? I’m not sure. What I do know is that I am a good writer. Yet when it comes to completing a novel, something holds me back. I get a great start, work out the plot, visit with the characters in my mind, do research, and start writing. And then, going any further feels like walking through concrete. I start thinking about other books on my plate, other things I could be researching, other stories I could be writing, other responsibilities in my life I should be tending to. This time, though, I’m determined to push through that invisible boundary.
I’m not quite sure how I’m going to do it, other than to just keep on writing, even when everything in me is holding me back. For the near future, I will be an ardent subscriber to the Nike motto: JUST DO IT.
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Another scene came to me around midnight last night. I replayed that scene all night long, as I lay awake, and as I slept. It is an interesting scene, although a bit melodramatic. It may or may not end up in the final script. It will depend upon if I can work up to it sufficiently and make it believable enough that it won’t fall on the reader like an author stretching for drama for its own sake. Or worse, that it won’t make my character look too weak or pathetic.
The last he knew her, she was but a child. A lot of things have happened to her since then, not many of them nice or good. When they meet again, she is a woman, and a woman badly bruised. All of the things he loved about her––her wild streak, her abhorrence of social rules and requirements, her outlandish dreams––have been overshadowed by an unforgiving fate. The woman before him is reserved, afraid, and entirely too accommodating for his own tastes.
So today I will rework my outline to incorporate my plot changes from yesterday and my new scenes from today. In general, an idea for a book comes to me and I summarize it, lest I forget any key details. Later, I go back and loosely outline it, adding scenes here and there, bits of dialogue I’m afraid I might lose if I don't record them, etc. Then I write. And update my outline. And rework my plot as needed (although this is not optimal; updating your plot later can mean lots of rewriting).
Tonight, imagine you are on a ship to a new, mostly undiscovered land. You are leaving your home, probably forever, to embark on a life unknown. More importantly, you have little choice in the matter. As you stare out over the endless expanse between here and there, you are left to consider the choices you’ve made that landed you in this untenable position. Looking back, what would you have done differently? And what resolutions will you take with you to this place that awaits you?
Plotting Along
Plot: one of the most important elements of a story.
Since I last added words to my manuscript, I learned some things through my research. I knew a bit of rewriting would be necessary. Still, as I read through what I'd already written, I couldn't go on. I had hoped to flesh out some more of chapter one. Instead, I knew I had to revise my outline and rethink my plot.
Several things make a good story: characters, plot, pacing, etc. If any of the main elements are failing, the whole story can fall short. I had the major items in the plot down and several of the smaller items as well, but one key point was missing. When the herione escapes from the bad guy, why does the bad guy pursue her? What's in it for him? Why doesn't he just let her go and move on? Even though this plot point doesn't occur until two-thirds into the book, and even though it doens't seem to impact the prologue and the first chapter of the novel, it most certainly does. It affects how I build the characters, how I lay the framework, how I present the clues.
So, I spent my writing day flushing out the plot. I think I'm on the right track now. It's 1793 and my herione is running away, far far away. Away from England. To America. With a man that isn't her husband (did I mention she's already married?). Scandalous! Of course the bad guy is giving chase. It would be pretty boring otherwise. Still, all the small details in-between are what make the story, and more importantly to my mind, the *emotion*. I want you to feel what my characters feel. I want you to feel regret, remorse, pain, pleasure, hope, joy. I want you to root for the good guys and seek justice for the bad guys. And I want to keep you guessing. As I get farther along, I'll post snippets from my story, give you insight into my characters, and hopefully take you on a long and wild ride.
Tonight, when you go to sleep, imagine losing everything that's valuable to you in the blink of an eye. The only thing you have left is your pride and your sense of self-preservation. What would you do?
To Write or To Research
Nearly every writing project requires some research. Even an autobiography requires some fact checking, cross-referencing of dates, looking at old photos, etc. A historic romance requires a lot of research. My novel takes place in the 1790’s, a time loosely categorized as the Regency period in England. So while the characters are clear in my mind, I must still gain an understanding of what type of clothing they wore (especially since it’s a romance and those clothes have to come off at some point), what type of house they lived in, what servants they had, etc. The question becomes, “How much research do I do before I begin to write?”
The answer: As much as you need to do, but no more. The reason I say this is because if you do all of your research upfront, you’ll never write a thing. Research is time-consuming and leads to more research. My method is this. Do some initial research to get started, then write. You can always revise later. Research can easily become a black hole. Even if you don’t quite have all of the details, you still have your characters emotions, and they don’t change much over time. Almost all parents would be distraught over the death of a beloved child or spouse, regardless of the year. Furthermore, research is an ongoing process and one I do concurrently with my writing. When I’m not writing, I’m reviewing my research materials, looking for new angles, making sure I haven’t written anything inaccurate. Lastly, remember, research can be a good excuse NOT to write. So use what you know and get started!
Where do you start to do research? Here’s what I do. First, if I have a knowledgeable friend who wouldn’t mind the imposition, I ask them. Second, I surf the internet. Third, I utilize the library for books, videos, magazines, newspapers, etc. Ask your librarian for help, that’s what they are there for. Fourth, when I have built up a good background knowledge, I approach an expert. That may be a company employee, a city official, or a university professor. Since people’s time is valuable and they may or may not be interested in helping, I make sure I know everything I can before I impose on them. That way, their help is the most useful to me and they take me more seriously.
Currently, I’m reading “Sense and Sensibility” by Jane Austen as her book took place around the time my story does, reviewing several “Writer’s Guide to the XYZ Years” which are immensely helpful in giving an overview of various time periods, and trying to imagine being my character in those various settings. When I go to sleep at night, I imagine myself being rocked by an unforgiving sea, struggling to fall asleep on a heap of straw in a built-in bunk on a late-18th century sailing ship on my way to an unknown land--America.
Why Write a Blog on Writing?
Writing a blog is like writing a novel one day at time, except that the ensuing drama is haphazard and the finished story is most likely unpublishable.
I am writing this blog to document my journey from writer to novelist. More importantly, I am writing this blog to give me a sense of accountability to you, my reader. It is my hope that we can make this journey together. For my friends, who have asked me what it's like to be a writer. For my family, who have asked me what it takes to write a novel. For everyone who's ever wanted to know what a writer struggles with on a daily basis. For fellow writers who will soon realize they are not alone in their ponderings or worries. And simply, for the pure joy of writing.
I've written everything from fantasy fiction to highly technical nonfiction. I've published fanfiction on the internet to good reviews. I have 15 novels outlined and ready to be written, and three that have been started. The novel that this blog is about is a historical romance. I never wanted to work in that genre, it requires way too much research. And yet, I find that the story picks the author, not the other way around. The characters haunt me during the day, and live vividly in my dreams at night. The prologue is written as is part of the first chapter. The names have been chosen. The story is outlined with a few areas still needing work. The research has commenced. And still, I am at the very beginning of this journey.
This blog will be about writing, and writing alone. It will not be about the weather, or the state of my personal affairs, or who's winning what election (although room will be made for major catastrophe's and other life-altering events). It will be about creating characters, following multiple storylines, eeking out bits of information through research. It will also be the musings of a writer striving and struggling to accomplish a dream.
Join me as I embark on this journey through winding roads and twisting turns, through joyous discoveries and dismal disappointments. And in the end, join me as I celebrate the birth of a novel.
I look forward to your comments.
Chris.
