Finishing a novel project is a weird experience. I remember the first time I finished a novel, a complete rip-off of Red Dead Redemption, but 70,000 words I was mighty proud of. I peeled away from my desk, (after writing 4,000 words) so, so pleased with myself that I could endure three months of agonizing over a single project. And since then I’ve kept going, and with every finished first draft, and with every revised revision, I learn something. The first draft of my current novel is done, and I learned one helluva lesson: I don’t like plotting one bit.
From A to B
I’ve said before that I prefer writing with ‘story’ rather than plot before, and I stand by that firm foundation of belief, as much as the most devout follower of a religion, but I’m not against it. Security is great, and plotting to me is a peek through the peephole and opening a door to catch the bolt. Me, I’m a story guy. Open the door, who cares who’s there, I’ll welcome any stranger to my porch. I love to see where the story wants to go, and for me books shouldn’t feel artificial, the stories inside should feel as real as the touch of another person. My current novel is all-story, the first time I’ve ever done that. My last project was a little plotted, but mostly story-based, and I’m totally convinced it works. For me, anyway. Planning and plotting are different things, though. I still write notes longhand, (laptops are crap for that) and I detail some things like settings or a particular theme, but story, characters and little things are made up through the story. I could never think of any particular ticks or niggles about characters through planning. If they want to bite their lips, they will.
Plotting can (as does excessive planning) also ruin a project for me. If I find myself more excited about planning something than actually getting down to the quick and writing the damn thing, then that’s dead and buried. But it is equally true that poor planning can end a novel as quickly as you started. Great ideas bloom into something worth reading I think, and if you’ve got a good idea, it’ll grow. I’m already making small notes about my next novel, and I suspect I may do a bit more planning than usual since it’s focusing more on the fantastical than I’ve ever done before. But, I’ve got to edit this book first. And that’s something that will teach me more lessons. I already know some chapters will either be scrapped completely or totally recut into something else. Small details have been ignored, one character has been made redundant, and there are some rush-jobs here and there could do with some extra sauce, but that’s how first drafts work. They are always awful. Sooner or later, with enough polish and careful tending, the final piece is going to sparkle with that showroom gleam.
Plotting can (as does excessive planning) also ruin a project for me. If I find myself more excited about planning something than actually getting down to the quick and writing the damn thing, then that’s dead and buried. But it is equally true that poor planning can end a novel as quickly as you started. Great ideas bloom into something worth reading I think, and if you’ve got a good idea, it’ll grow. I’m already making small notes about my next novel, and I suspect I may do a bit more planning than usual since it’s focusing more on the fantastical than I’ve ever done before. But, I’ve got to edit this book first. And that’s something that will teach me more lessons. I already know some chapters will either be scrapped completely or totally recut into something else. Small details have been ignored, one character has been made redundant, and there are some rush-jobs here and there could do with some extra sauce, but that’s how first drafts work. They are always awful. Sooner or later, with enough polish and careful tending, the final piece is going to sparkle with that showroom gleam.
From Y to Z
The length of my first drafts are longer too since being the ‘story’ writer these days. This project ended at 82,000 words. Mind you, the last was 100,000, a novel I haven’t revised yet for reasons involving my own confidence. But, that’s still on my to-do list. This 82,000 word story went places I never imagined, and I’m still amazed how different the finish piece turned out from the original concept. Also, working with fewer characters works for me more than a large cast. I always prefer to read stories about a close group of characters instead of a town-full, but that’s something I want to work on. Hell, if I’m going to write this fantasy story then I might have to work out that issue a little sooner than first thought. But, it’s all learning. Not one writer knows everything, not even Stephen King. If you can master an art, than where’s the fun afterwards?
As I wait for the month’s passing so I can edit my novel with fresh eyes, I’m going to focus on the short stories more. Yeah, I still write shorts when working on a novel, but now I can be extra mindful of what to write next. I really wish I started writing shorts before novels, but you can never underestimate the power a short story holds over everything else. Some of the best stories out there are shorts such as Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption and 1922. Both Stevie King, I might add. Anyway, I’ll continue to scour the landscape for opportunities, send them off and see what’s what, but until next time, keep writing.
Songs of the Week:
As I wait for the month’s passing so I can edit my novel with fresh eyes, I’m going to focus on the short stories more. Yeah, I still write shorts when working on a novel, but now I can be extra mindful of what to write next. I really wish I started writing shorts before novels, but you can never underestimate the power a short story holds over everything else. Some of the best stories out there are shorts such as Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption and 1922. Both Stevie King, I might add. Anyway, I’ll continue to scour the landscape for opportunities, send them off and see what’s what, but until next time, keep writing.
Songs of the Week:
- 'Prelude' by Foals
- 'My Number' by Foals
- 'Moon' by Foals
- 'Late Night' by Foals
- 'Milk & Black Spiders' by Foals
- 'Inhaler' by Foals
- 'Bad Habit' by Foals
- 'I Don't Want to Be Here Anymore' by Rise Against
- 'Metal & Dust' by London Grammar
- 'Infinite Dreams' by Iron Maiden