Last week as I sat at my computer sipping yet another bladder-challenging-sized mug of tea, I puzzled over why my writing had ground to a standstill. I have an outline. I know how the story ends. I know the characters as well as my own family. So why the listlessness, the disconnect? Grinding to a standstill
Word Jam
Previously when I hit a writing snag, I’d write another scene or define a new character or setting. That almost always worked to loosen the writing log jam. But I’m near the end of the last book in the trilogy so there aren’t new characters or settings to dream up.
I took a break, and the drone of the vacuum helped me figure out what was going on. I didn’t have clear enough directions for getting from where I was in the telling of the story to the end I had in mind. My outline was too rough. It lacked the detail I needed.
(More experienced writers would likely have figured that out sooner.)
Back to the Outline
I went back to the outline, re-read and printed the last few pages. I flipped through the notepad I carry around with me like a security blanket and tumbled ideas around in my head for another day or two. It was the jump-start my imagination needed. As I began filling in the outline, ideas took shape and grew into even better scenes than I’d initially imagined. The outline is now bursting at the seams and I can hardly wait to dig in and write the rest of Emelynn’s story.
God I love writing – why’d it take me so long to discover that part of me?
If you don’t mind an unconventional suggestion from someone who has written but yet to publish a novel. Sometimes I think outlines restrict us. I know many (if not most) writers work with outlines (and charts and graphs, etc…), but I say… let the characters live and breathe and lead you where you want them to go. They may surprise you. Just a thought…
Thanks for your feedback. You’re right – outlines are restricting. My first book’s outline was very loose and even at that, it didn’t fit by the end of the writing. In fact, looking back on that outline now, it wasn’t even close. A good case for letting the characters live and breathe. (Made me wonder why I bothered.) The outline for the third book started out as a list of plot points from Books I and II that I needed to reference and tie in, but when I wasn’t looking, it morphed into an outline. They’re sneaky that way! Thanks again for your comments and have a great 2013.