Sunday, October 19, 2008

I've discovered...

...that I can't just sit down and write anymore. What I mean is, I can't sit down and start banging out a story based on a random plot thought. I used to be able to--and even produce something halfway decent. (Okay, it was fan fiction, so what??)

Now, I have too much information in my head--not just rules and formulas for writing the perfect novel, but national news, world events, my personal faith and walk with God (mainly, how short I fall each and every day of what He desires of me), and on and on and on.

Writing must now be a more deliberate task. Ideas for plots or visions of a hero come at any time--even in church while pastor sits at the piano and sings to the congregation. But now I must sit and ask, who is this character? What's his past, why is he here, what does he want and how will he get it? Who is his heroine? What is the relationship barrier and how do they overcome it?

I must write notes, character sketches, plot outlines, jot down questions to research later.

I finally have a new story to roll around in my brain, although it does compete with my virtual love affair with Robin Hood (yes, that's still going strong). I'm even thinking short story trilogy. Hmm...

I did work on both today, trying to apply lessons learned in my last NT meeting workshop to this short story. Kinda hard without twenty other people in the room to brainstorm with. I did spend some time with emotionally wrenched Robin who brooded while his beloved Marian almost married someone else.

Back to writing--our chapter's annual Writers Roundup is actually a writing retreat with plenty of time for actually writing. I'm looking forward to hanging out with fellow writers and getting some help with this new story idea. (And maybe the third story plot, too, while we're at it.)

2 comments:

L.A. Mitchell said...

I'm so happy you have a new idea. There really is nothing like the excitement at the beginning (except maybe the excitement after the last page of editing)

I hope you have a wonderful time at the retreat :)

Jen FitzGerald said...

Thanks, L.A.--