Skip to main content

Climbing outside the writing box...

This week I've tried without success to get back into the story KILL ME OR DRIVE ME TO FL. First I read over parts of the story. I climbed into the car with this group going to Florida and it was stifling. Nobody would say or do anything. Nobody moved. Not even mouthy Daisy.

I was ready to chalk it up to another failed story attempt.

Then I started thinking. First I took myself outside the car, outside the box I'd written these people into.

I woke up thinking about the characters one day. I still didn't have anything to write. That night I went to sleep thinking about the story.

The next morning it hit me. These four characters had lives before they got into that car and that's where I had to start.

At that moment ideas started jumping out at me.

And with that I was/am back on track.

I keep having to re learn everything I've learned about writing in the 20+ years I've been at it.

Sometimes I think I'm not meant to write a novel length story. Or am I?

I've accomplished other writing forms.
And I'm not giving up on this one.

Hope you are staying on track and often climbing out of the box to see what the past, present, future holds for your characters.

Happy Writing.

Comments

  1. Characters are your strength, Barb, and these are no exception. I'm sure once you put their lives together, they'll tell their story for you. Can't wait to read what they have to say!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Liz. My most constant and strong trait is my own self criticism, as you know. I often freeze my writing because of self editing. You can't edit until you know what you've got - the whole story. I'm still struggling with that concept, after all these years. I miss getting together monthly and discussing these things that impair our writing.
    Blessings.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Of course you're meant to write this story. Otherwise the characters wouldn't have been so persistent in their attempts to get you to understand them better.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'd not thought of that. Thanks, Deb! Need all the encouragement I can get.
    Blessings.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've haven't read any of your stories, but from what I know about you, you are a very good writer. You have wonderful characters. Wish I knew how to write about a memorable character. Remember, you did place at the WVWriter's Conference. I'm glad you are not giving up. I need to take your advice and not give up on my story, too. I am in the process of editing it again, but need to go at a little higher speed.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Red Christmas Cane/A poem

It's been so long since I've written a blog I'm not sure anyone will even come by. But if you do, know that I appreciate your reading. I was cleaning some files and found this Christmas poem I wrote years ago. So I'm recycling my work again. I love writing but have spent the last five months reading, reading, reading, hoping that by reading all sorts of different genres that my own writing will improve. I have to admit though when I get into a good/great story, I sink in and my writer self takes a leave of absence. I'm still working on the novel about Sweet Baby James, a baby abduction. Hoping I'm making the story stronger than any I've yet written. So here's my poem. Enjoy! Have a lovely beginning to your Christmas season and God Bless! THE RED CHRISTMAS CANE  I was walking around on an old cane that year Grumping and complaining that the holidays were here. I looked out my window and as far as I could see There were lights, stars, and ang...

VADA FAITH AVAILABLE ON KINDLE

VADA FAITH is now available as a Kindle e book on Amazon. See bottom of page for cover. I'm so excited I could shout it from the rooftops. I would, if I wasn't so tired. I've never worked as hard as I have these last few weeks getting the book in shape. And I thought the initial writing was difficult. Then the worrying kicked in and I've fussed over every little detail. I can see why some call it "birthing a book." At least I don't have to sit up with it at night or listen to its cries. Or rock it back to sleep. I'm ready for a break. But it will be a short one. I'm starting to format the manuscript for paperback. E books are nice but I love to hold a book! I plan to work with Amazon to produce the book form. It should be available on Amazon by late spring or early summer. Those are my plans for the coming months! What are yours??? Any writing OR reading projects ahead? Please share.  If you have time please take a look a...

Building a story vs building a house

My latest book! Dear Writer:  Writing a story is somewhat similar to building a house. Or not! Remember this: when we give a piece of our story to someone to read - we expect them to see the whole. It's like building a house and offering a single piece of lumber to another builder. “Here, see the house I'm building.” SOME CAN SEE IT AND SOME CAN’T. Here's the thing: MOST CAN'T. This step is as necessary to me as breathing.  I need to give you single boards as I create them. AND I expect you to be a visionary and say, “Why yes. I see.”   I need you to see how special the piece of lumber is that I'm using and to see that eventually I'll add more pieces to make the whole.  Choose people to read your work who like the kind of stories you write.  There are as many kinds of stories as there are houses to live in. If you give a brick ranch to someone who only appreciates a cape cod then he'll have a hard time fitting hims...