Rarely do I read a writer’s work before a plot consultation, other than the Character Emotional Development Profile (on the Tips page of www.BlockBusterPlots.com) for the main character(s) and the Thematic Significance Statement for the project. So, I can’t prove this impression. But, I wonder if the writers who start out really verbal and attempt to tell me everything at once, write that way, too. In other words, is the first 1/2 hour of settling down into the plot consultation process mirrored in as many pages for the writer to settle into the rhythm of their own writing? I don’t know the answer; it’s just something I wonder about.
Everyone is different, but it’s not unusual for these same writers to balk over my organized approach. I wait patiently as they dart back and forth, interjecting tidbits here and there. I sense their fear that structure surely constricts and will destroy the magic and mystery of the creative process itself. I listen to each of their words carefully as I steadily and gently corral their scenes and ideas into the universal story form. But, I can’t help wondering. Does this same sort of frenetic activity also show up in their writing?
Perhaps at the root of this are writers who, in surrendering completely to the whims of the muse, are uncertain as to what the project is really about. Getting to the point can be difficult, especially if you don’t know what the point is. Determining your characters’ goals and your own personal writing goals helps.
Martha,
I completely agree with you about the need for structure–I think the muse, my muse at least, not only wants a structure to communicate with, but demands it!
I’m not sure, though, about the randomness of the verbal consult reflecting the randomness of the actual writing. I wonder if it isn’t actually tied to the fact that we are writers–i.e., we have a need to connect pencil with paper, or at least fingers with a keyboard, to really get our point across clearly and coherently. I know that, if/when I’m asked to describe my story or talk about the plot, I can get myself into a near panic at my inability to express it verbally. When I sit down, though, either with a blank page that I’m going to brainstorm onto, or with index cards, or with your scene tracker, the panic fades, and a sense of comfort and even strength settles into me. I can do this. It may (will) take a while, but I will get the framework onto paper.
Two cents! Loving your thoughts and questions on the blog!
Becky
Okay, Becky, say you are the type of writer who has difficulty getting your point across clearly and coherently when describing your story or talking about plot.
Do you find yourself after a day of writing, going back and cutting a portion of what you began with?
What I’m trying to get at here is do you have trouble settling into the story and thus have the need to sort of warm up first?
Martha,
For me, pencil to paper (and it has to be a pencil), instant focus.
Verbal effort at explaining the point of my book, and I am ADD, spewing forth a scattered delivery of the books primary point. Frustrating because I do enjoy the ritual of conversation.
But as I comment upon your query/ponderings I see that I could find something symbolic of a pencil and paper within my awareness and my vocabulary creating a verbal focal point.
or I can simply be in the moment if I were indeed seeking your consultation.
Elizabeth
hebbkfvMartha,
For me, pencil to paper (and it has to be a pencil), instant focus.
Verbal effort at explaining the point of my book, and I am ADD, spewing forth a scattered delivery of the books primary point. Frustrating because I do enjoy the ritual of conversation.
But as I comment upon your query/ponderings I see that I could find something symbolic of a pencil and paper within my awareness and my vocabulary creating a verbal focal point.
or I can simply be in the moment if I were indeed seeking your consultation.
Elizabeth