Some days, writing is pure pleasure. The words flow onto the page like water rushing down a mountain stream during spring run-off. That’s when I love being an author. It’s easy and fun and everything comes together exactly as I pictured it in my mind. That’s not how it always goes, though.
I struggle with the first thousand words, every single time. I’m just learning about my characters, their likes and dislikes, and how they are going to react to each other. The words come slowly, reluctant to commit themselves to my laptop’s screen. There are numerous false starts, and dead ends that need to be fixed. Sometimes, it’s a battle to force the characters to do what I want them to do. I start. I stop. I get more coffee. I type a few paragraphs, and then stop again. I take the dog for a walk. I let the cat in. Why does the hero think the girl is not good for him? Why is the heroine refusing to see how wonderful the hero is?
I’m a modified plotter. I don’t write by the seat of my pants, not really. I have a vague outline, and I struggle to get a sense of how the characters fit into it. It can take days of fitful attempts to get a good start on the pages, one that I feel, deep in my gut, is right. And then the process gets smoother. The characters lead me where they want to go. There is a give and take. The connection between the lead characters grows and strengthens. There are love scenes that make my heart race, and exhilaration races through me.
Now it is good and I remember why I do this. It’s not for the money or the prestige, it’s because I have to get the stories out of my head.
I’m a writer. It’s what I do.
I struggle with the first thousand words, every single time. I’m just learning about my characters, their likes and dislikes, and how they are going to react to each other. The words come slowly, reluctant to commit themselves to my laptop’s screen. There are numerous false starts, and dead ends that need to be fixed. Sometimes, it’s a battle to force the characters to do what I want them to do. I start. I stop. I get more coffee. I type a few paragraphs, and then stop again. I take the dog for a walk. I let the cat in. Why does the hero think the girl is not good for him? Why is the heroine refusing to see how wonderful the hero is?
I’m a modified plotter. I don’t write by the seat of my pants, not really. I have a vague outline, and I struggle to get a sense of how the characters fit into it. It can take days of fitful attempts to get a good start on the pages, one that I feel, deep in my gut, is right. And then the process gets smoother. The characters lead me where they want to go. There is a give and take. The connection between the lead characters grows and strengthens. There are love scenes that make my heart race, and exhilaration races through me.
Now it is good and I remember why I do this. It’s not for the money or the prestige, it’s because I have to get the stories out of my head.
I’m a writer. It’s what I do.
4 comments:
Tell it, sista! Keep those words coming :)
Thanks Kaylea! Now I'd better get back to the story that inspired me to write this. I'm still on the first chapter.LOL
OMG yes! You've just nailed how it is exactly, Anne. Here's to many more periods of the "good" stuff in your future (((HUGS)))
If I didn't get those stories out of my head I'd be certifiable... kind of like where I'm headed at the mo, because I really need to write something new but I'm stuck with working on other stuff. Sigh. Just need to hang on to my sanity for a few more weeks, LOL.
I'm definitely struggling with that difficult part now. Thanks for the post!
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