partners in crime-writing fiction
A few years ago, I decided I was done putting off my dream of writing a murder-mystery book. No, it wasn't a mid-life crisis. I just got married, but it brought about a big change because my spouse was in the military, and he had orders to Germany. I was thrilled about the prospect of exploring Europe and equally enamored with the chance to resurrect a childhood dream.
But, I was clueless. I bought my first (ten) craft books and got down to business. One of the first lessons I learned was that if you want to be a writer, you must write. Makes sense. So, I sat down and started putting words on paper. I didn't know where the story was going, but I read the quote, "Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way" - E.L. Doctorow.
Turns out, I can't make the trip that way. A hundred pages in, I still didn't know what the story was about. That was a problem, at least for me it was. While discovery writing, or pantsing, works for some brilliant minds out there, it doesn’t work for me.
I thought I must be the kind of writer that needs an outline. So, I spent more time getting to know my characters and the pillars of the plot before I started writing. At least that was my intent, and I think it might’ve worked, but I couldn’t hold out. I had these great characters that I couldn’t wait to set into motion. I had to write! That was lesson #1, after all. This time, I made it to around the 150-page mark before it fizzled and fell apart.
Oy. I spent a year writing and had nothing significant to show for it. Oh yes, I was having second thoughts about my grand idea of writing books. But I love characters, and I love stories. I will never stop trying to get it right.
I’ve learned a lot on my writing quest, and I still have much to learn. I’m not here to tell you what right looks like because if I’ve learned anything, it’s that the writing process looks different for everyone. This page, along with my blog, are about refining my own writing process, consolidating what I’ve learned in one place, and finally cracking the code of how to complete a novel.
Stay tuned for updates and products that help me solve the mystery of novel writing.
Links to a couple of my favorite videos on writing
Sarah Cannon:
Abbie Emmons:
Christy Anne Jones
good books on writing
On Writing, by Stephen King
The Lie That Tells a Truth by John Dufresne
Understanding Show, Don't Tell: And Really Getting It, by Janice Hardy
How To Write A Novel, by Nathan Bransford
The Elements of Style, by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White