Before we begin typing that first word - we
always (or most times) have the ending in mind.
There are a couple books I had an idea of what I wanted my end result to
be – how I got there was something of a mystery. My point – we don’t always end up
where we think we will.
You must be willing to adapt . . . make changes, be aware of the
flow of your story. Never . . . never .
. . never . . . cling to your synopsis because it was how the ‘story was supposed
to go.’ Really??? I believe a story never goes the way I
planned – I have to be open for my characters to surprise me. And boy – do they surprise me!
Make your really good story idea great by a willingness to adapt
as the story unfolds. Each character
develops as he/she unfolds in your story.
You can’t force a character’s behavior.
Always allow him/her the ability to act/react in a natural way.
Be open minded while
writing - Keep in mind – what works for one book won’t
always work for the next. Characters in
each book are different and you must always let them lead you through each
scene. Listen to them . . . and give them free rein!
How exciting when your character demands something different –
something you never thought of! Allow
your characters to add atmosphere and excitement. Think of it this way – as your characters
develop . . . the story unfolds into places you never imagined.
Release the control. You
know you’re a talented writer. That doesn’t mean you’re instantly good at letting
go – giving your character permission to be him/herself.
Never start writing a book with ideas set in stone. Guidelines will keep you from writing
yourself into a corner, but don’t be so controlling you won’t allow something
unexpected to happen.
Allow your characters to
laugh, cry, have highs and definitely lows. Make them feel . . . and the reader will
respond. By allowing your character a
‘voice’ - the dialog will flow with ease
and belief. Step in because you don’t
like the direction and your reader will be jerked out of the scene – maybe
forever.
Believe in your characters. As I said at the beginning, we don’t always
end up where we think we will. That’s
the good news! When your character
surprises you while you’re writing – it surprises the reader. Some of my greatest scenes were created by my
characters; their personality, reaction, and drive or direction leading them to
places only they can imagine. Trust them
– you’ll love where it takes you!
Thunder by Rita Karnopp
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FM1IO0U
The
world of professional wresting is a volatile, exciting, and action-packed world
and even more so behind the scenes. Keme (Thunder), a Blackfeet fan favorite
wrestler at the top of his game, is found hanging from the rafters of his
training facility. Is it murder . . . or
suicide?
Find Rita at: ritakarnopp@bresnan.net
I wish I had an ending in mind. As a Pantser...my characters tell me the story as it develops and I never know where I'm going until I get there. The only problem...when the story is done...it's done and there is nothing I can do about it. This is why I could never be published mainstream. I can't count on writing to word requirements...but I like my style of shorter stories.
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