Comments on: On Writing: Surprises

By: Belle

Belle — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:03:09 +0000

Meghan, it’s been so much fun now that I’m writing regularly. I also have a whole closet full of starts – I’m great with the story ideas. Finishing has always been the challenge for me. But now that I’ve set myself a daily writing goal, finishing doesn’t feel like such a challenge anymore.

Margot, your game with your granddaughter sounds like such fun. My youngest is six, and I think he’d love playing this game. It sounds very much like you’ve really helped your granddaughter’s to hone her storytelling abilities.

Memory, I think that’s it exactly – having a framework that’s flexible enough to let in the surprises. I just finished writing the scene involving this new character, and I like him a lot. He’s decent guy, has a bit of mystery, and the two characters he’s been introduced to have decided they like him.

Dorte, that’s probably my biggest fear – that I’ll write and write and end up with lots of tangents that I’ll have to deal with during revision. This project will be my test case; I’d like to see if going with the flow will really result in all the loose ends being tied up or not.

By: Dorte H

Dorte H — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:42:48 +0000

Usually, I come up with a plot and try to make a plan in c 10 sections/chapters. Not detailed, just short notes for what is going to happen, and of course I change a lot while I move along. Last time I wrote a manuscript I didn´t plan it properly, and that was clearly a mistake. It has been so difficult for me to try to repair my own sloppy work afterwards. Dorte H’s last blog post..Johan Theorin, Skumringstimen (2008)

By: Memory

Memory — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:46:47 +0000

I generally write from a rough outline in my head. I know basically what's going to happen, but I'm fuzzy on some of the specifics. Once I've finished the first draft and/or figured out just how certain things need to go down, I like to go back and a very informal outline that consists of a brief paragraph describing each scene. I find that this helps me clarify certain ideas about the story without getting too a + b = c about it. I've got a framework built, but there's still room for surprises. Memory’s last blog post..The Sunday Salon: Blog Names

By: Margot

Margot — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:01:55 +0000

I love your surprise experience. It seems that my favorite authors seem to operate under the same practice. The writing I do is non-fiction and I do have a somewhat vague outline. But as to storytelling - my oldest granddaughter and I have a game we play where one of us starts a story and then after a bit the other person continues and then we go back and forth until it feels right to say The End. We've been doing this for about 5 years. She is now 10. Our stories are getting better and so much fun to do. She has developed into a very good writer and is currently working on a chapter book. When Q and I do verbally is definitely the surprise style you are using. I find it not only fun, but very creative. Keep going. Margot’s last blog post..Book Review: The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

By: Meghan

Meghan — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:03:06 +0000

I don't write anymore, but when I did I never knew what was going to happen. My characters always had minds of their own. Planning more always seemed to kill a little of the creative impulse for me. Unfortunately I never managed to see stories through to their conclusion, I'm one of those people that gets obsessed with editing rather than writing. I have finished a few but I had far more half-written stories hanging around on my hard drive! Meghan’s last blog post..Review: The Host, Stephenie Meyer

By: Belle

Belle — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:56:32 +0000

Molly, I will definitely have to get that book! I love to read about the writing process, too, and it helps a little in terms of dealing with all these surprises, that coming to a place of faith where you know everything that comes through is good, that it will all work out, and for the best of the story. I’m really glad you’re taking this course – I know that every time you write about it (I’m hoping you’ll have time to blog about it) I get to experience it vicariously.

By: Molly

Molly — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:56:01 +0000

Oh - this is so much fun to read about your writing process! One of the books that I have to read for class is called the Story behind the Story. It is a collection of about 26 short stories - and after each short story the author divulges the inspiration, or the story behind that short story. I am only about half way through the book and I cannot tell you how many of the authors have mentioned this exact same phenomena: they are equally surprised by characters and plot twists as the story tends to write itself. I am not sure that I will ever get to that point in my own writing, but I sure love to hear others' experiences! Molly’s last blog post..TSS - Comments about Comments