Give yourself permission to follow your energy.
If you have energy to write something even if it means writing and rewriting, so be it.
Just remember, you are not looking for perfection here, you are looking to build the structure on which to rest the story (1st draft) or (subsequent drafts) opportunities to dig deeper and, as Kate Braverman once said to me: find the doors and open them.
Do like Hollywood movie directors and cup your hands around one eye like a telescope. Write about that one moment in your story.
If it takes you time, fine. Just make sure you revise your expectations (goals, dreams) of when you will reach the end.
Decide:
- Do I finish draft by (insert date)?
- Do I reach that goal when I get there?
Either way is fine. Do it.
Better yet.
Forget the expectations.
Surrender to the incredible gift of writing.
Let the story unfold as it does.
Keep showing up.
You’ll get there…
Thank you for that operative word or sentence : Keep showing up.
I really like that.
I really liked that sentence "Surrender to the incredible gift of writing", maybe because I've become to realize that I often am afraid when I write, afraid that what I write will not be masterpiece material. I should try to just pour out the words.
Hi, Martha,
Your plot coaching is priceless. I like your analogy "Do like Hollywood movie directors and cup your hands around one eye like a telescope. Write about that one moment in your story."
As a manuscript consultant, I get to read stories that carry profound themes and I know my clients have spent years working on their projects.
A mistake I often come across is not enough "showing…with sensory details" and too much "summarizing" or "editorializing." That's when I'll ask my client "Have you looked at Martha's blog?"
I guest-blogged on Nina Amir's about how to make one's manuscript compelling http://writenonfictioninnovember.wordpress.com/2008/11/16/how-to-make-your-manuscript-compelling/
In that post, I referenced The Woman Warrior, Woven of Water, The Other Mother, Angela's Ashes–all four plotlines have what Martha Alderson, author of Blockbuster Plots, Pure and Simple, calls "Cause and Effect" linked scenes.
I see your new post:
http://plotwhisperer.blogspot.com/2009/10/when-scene-just-wont-do.html
Happy New Year, Int'l Plot Consultant Martha! Thank you for doing your magic!
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan
Writing-Career Coach/Manuscript Consultant
I'm working on my third novel at the moment and for some reason, I'm not nearly as stressed about this one as I was with my other books. I guess I've finally learned that when the creative juices flow, it's time to write, but sometimes I just need to give the scene time to develop.
I'm glad I found this blog!