Talking Plot
Words don't always come easy for writers. I can't say I've been suffering from writer's block, because I've been making my daily 1,000-word goal or doing better, but the words don't always flow.
I was talking to another writer last night and she's stressing over a series she's outlining. Lord knows a lot of us write on deadlines, and with books sold at the outline stage but have a firm commitment date to deliver. We stress about it. It's a business.
Getting back to my writing dilemma, I've sold Dangerous Love based on an outline and I've committed to finishing it by mid-September. My personal goal is to finish writing it by the end of August and give myself two weeks for editing revisions. Since this is a vampire book, I'd really love to have a Halloween release. Of course I can't make commitments for Noble Romance Publishing, but if I write the piece tightly enough, that'll make things that much easier for my editor, Bryl, to say yes to the request. But I'm stuck on plot. Lots of days my thoughts had to be pried loose with a verbal crowbar and I read and re-read scenes to see if I was moving forward. I needed a way to free my thoughts from solitary confinement. I don't belong to a writer's group and my critique partners live in other states.
What to do?
I got stuck in traffic. The music sucked and I'd heard every song three times on six stations over the past half hour. I was going nowhere fast. I turned off the tunes and tuned into my characters. I started talking through my plot, revisiting what the reader knew and where the story would go next. Out loud. I heard my voice in dialog, explaining what was going on in the story and I could troubleshoot sticky issues. Pretty soon, I had the next scene worked out in my own voice. I was pretty psyched by the time I got back to the keyboard and started hammering things out. That was a two weeks ago.
Most of you know I work part time and I've also got a freelance writing business and a family. In other words, my time is at a premium. Yet this new plot talking has pushed me to write about 15,000 words in about ten days. Will I make my self-imposed deadline to finish writing by September 1? I don't know, but this morning on my way to work, Wade Kairos and I had an interesting conversation and the next scene is ready to go when I get at the keyboard. And he provided me with a perfect nugget for the next book in the series. If he weren't all beat up and Jui wasn't hanging around, I just might kiss him.
If you're looking for something good to read, check out Wet and Love Bites over at Noble Romance . There are a lot of really terrific books at Noble you may read AFTER you've read mine. LOL Links to my other books on the navigation bar and I always love hearing what you think.
Gotta run.
Until the next time.
Margie
Categories: writing tips, novel writing
Tags: writing tips novel writing
Great, Great blog, Margie! I often talk out loud, pace the floor or if I'm in the car, I'm babbling (thank God it 2010-and everyone is plugged into some kind of cell phone/blue tooth device or I'd be labeled a crazy person.
It works!
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KB, I am really getting a lot of benefit out of this. As for those driving by who might think I'm crazy...what do they know? I could be! Thanks for stopping.
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Great post, Margie. I'm a plotter, so I'm big on outlining everything before I start with a first draft. I'll definitely give talking out loud a try the next time I'm stuck in traffic
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Thanks, Amy! I can't believe how much this has helped me. Mumbling under my breath while I'm at the keyboard just wasn't cutting it. I write a general outline for my books but I've gotten surprised every time by something I didn't see coming - it's usually toward the end but not always. If you're writing suspense/mysteries/thrillers, I don't know how you can just be a pantser. I'd be writing myself into one corner after another! LOL Thanks for coming by and sharing your thoughts. I always like to hear what works and what doesn't!
Best,
Margie
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I can SO relate to the 'verbal crowbar' days! Some days the words flow like magic and you can even surpass your goal, others you're lucky if you can even get close! Such a great post!
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Hey you found me! I think readers believe authors either write like the wind or stare at the screens in blank-faced agony most of the time. Usually it's someplace between for me. Hope the post inspires you next time you can't find your crow bar.
Be well, my friend.
Margie
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I had this bookmarked a little while back but w the holiday's and getting sick didn't get a chance to comment!
It's so very much usually somewhere in between for me too!
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I'm glad you finally got a chance to read it and I hope you're feeling well soon.
thanks for visiting.
Margie
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I like the way you methodically go about it Margie. It shows in your characters.
I don't get into traffic unless I absolutely have to, but I plot while laying in bed, either before I fall asleep or when I wake up.
Though I write in the quiet, there is something about the dark quiet that seems to help.
Keep the great characters coming. I love them.
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Thanks, Brita. My muse has trouble with boundaries and time zones...Nighttime doesn't mean sleeping for me and it's not usually quiet here with the kids in and out all day long. You learn to cope with the situation you're in and make the best of it. Thanks for your enduring support.
Hugs,
Margie
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