Welcome to The Learning Curve. As a new writer I expect to make mistakes. My job is to show you these mistakes so that you can avoid them yourself.
Hoarding for Writers
My wife says that I’m a packrat because I never throw anything out. There is a bit of truth to that statement. You never know when you might need that box of fuses, the old PC case with a power supply, or the broken lawn mower that could be used for parts. I have trouble throwing things away because I might need them someday. But that’s not true of everything. For example, I had no trouble at all throwing out one of the books that I’m working on, only to start over. Twice.
If we’re keeping score, this would be stupid thing #12 that I’ve done so far this year. Don’t ask what the other eleven are. You wouldn’t believe me anyway. Or maybe you would, and that would be rather depressing.
The first time I started over, for which I will explain the reason shortly, consisted of storing all of the original work in an archive folder. The second time was slightly more drastic. I deleted months worth of work. Why did I delete it? Because I didn’t see the value of keeping it. That’s saying a lot considering I still have t-shirts from Navy boot camp, sweat stains and all.
First rule of writing? Never throw anything away. You would think that I, of all people, should know this by now. There are various notebooks with bits of scribbling that have been with me for more than thirty years stored in my office. So, what was so bad about this story that I felt the only recourse was to delete it? The simple answer, because it was messy. The longer explanation deals with outlines and character development.
When I started on my novel six months ago, I did so without using an outline. By the time it was 12k words I realized that I had made a tactical error. The characters were leading the story into places that didn’t fit with the book I wanted to write. My novel, an action thriller, soon became a supernatural thriller, which morphed into a sci/fi-supernatural-thriller. How many genre could I cover without turning it into a Bad Book?
Time to Reset the Matrix
When your characters realize that they control the story then consider it a good thing, to an extent. But when they start destroying your vision of the world, well then, it’s time for a reset. Without an outline the only direction I had was the destination, the ending. Trying to corral the characters toward that ending was like herding cats in a rainstorm. Each of them wanted to go places that led further away from what I had envisioned.
I decided that the only way to keep the characters focused was to use an outline. So, I took a few weeks off and plotted out the novel, which of course negated many of the scenes and chapters that I had previously written. Fortunately I saved the original work before starting over. Even though much of it didn’t fit the new outline there were enough good nuggets to make it valuable.
With the outline in place I started the novel anew, keeping the characters pointed toward the end of the rainbow. Now the story had a great arc, purpose, and direction. I started on it with gusto, though after a couple of months I did one of the worst things you could possibly do as a new writer. I began editing a third of the way through the story.
By trying to adhere strictly to the outline many of the characters lost their charm. They were two-dimensional, flat. They weren’t this way in the original version, the one that I had tucked away in the archive folder. I thought I could blend the two together. It didn’t work.
The new revision had the story proceeding along the path that I wanted, but the characters were lifeless. Even I had a hard time caring about what happened to them. The structure of the story was lean and fast, much faster than the previous character driven attempt. I attempted to edit my way around the problem of character development. However, trying to flesh out the characters in the confines of the box that I put them in messed with the flow.
Control-Alt-Delete
Once again I had lost control of the story that I wanted to tell. Granted it’s easy to do considering the huge span of time that the novel covers. Still, the problems I ran into were unexpected. I wanted a character driven story that followed an outline. Is that too much to ask? Apparently.
The story, as it was, could only be described as a mess. Believe me when I tell you that a few weeks worth of editing only made it worse. No matter how many alternate ways I tried to reinvent the characters and scenes, it still came out…lumpy. It didn’t flow.
Frustrated beyond belief, and in a moment of insanity, I deleted it. Months worth of work, poof! Yes the characters were flat and seemingly beyond repair in this version, but if the original had some good nuggets, then this one had a gold mine hiding beneath the surface. I just didn’t have the tools to dig through to it.
Immediately I regretted deleting it. There is no such a thing as pulling it out of the Recycle Bin on my computer. I changed the setting to delete things permanently, and without throwing up a confirmation prompt. It’s a geek thing, and yes, it bit me in the ass.
Mistakes, I’ve Made a Few
Setting aside the fact that you should never throw away (or delete) a story that you’re working on, let me recap the two biggest mistakes that I’ve made on the novel thus far.
First, I had a vision of where the story would end. I even know what the last line in the book will be. The problem was getting there without an outline. The characters, each one memorable, took on a life of their own and decided that their story was better. This wouldn’t have been an issue had I not cared for where the story ended up.
The second problem I ran into, once I created an outline, was following the outline too closely. I should have treated it as a guide and let the characters work out the details. Instead, I exerted my will upon them, took control of their minds and actions. The story went in the direction that I wanted, but the characters had no heart, no soul.
Had I done this right the first time, like I’m doing now, I would have written an outline and included scenes for character development in addition to plot and flow. On the bright side, these are rookie mistakes that I hope to never make again.
Now, I told you all of that to tell you this:
I’m not advising you on how you should write. That’s up to you. Perhaps my mistakes will give you solace that you are not alone. We all make mistakes. Mine just happen to be open for public consumption. However, if you want to step out on a limb and share what your biggest mistake has been, then I would love to hear it. We can learn from each other.
Of course I would be remiss not to share some type of advice with you. The following comes from Chris James, author of The Second Internet Cafe: The Dimension Researcher and Class Action.
“Get the story out of your head. Don’t edit. Don’t look back. Keep going forward.”
That is exactly what I plan to do. In the meantime, I promised my wife that I would clean the garage. I just hope she doesn’t expect me to throw anything out. You never know when you might need it, am I right?
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K.D. Rush is a Contributing Author for Indies Unlimited. He is currently working on a book of short stories, as well as his debut novel, The Guild Inc., a supernatural thriller. For more information please see the IU Bio page and visit his website: http://KDRush.com or find him on Twitter @KD_Rush.
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KD,
I admire you for sharing this; writing a novel is an intensly personal thing (at least to me), and the fact that you're willing to share your journey with us so openly deserves the highest praise. You keep at it, young man, we're all willing you on! (And do try to remember that your characters are part of you; while they may prefer to sod off and do their own thing, ultimately you're the boss. Our characters are like our kids… Er, maybe that's not a good comparison.)
By the way, neat photoshopping on the pic – loved that!
Thanks Chris, especially for the pick-me-up when I needed it most. As for the kids, I'm just as likely to run with them. 😉
Glad you like the pic. I thought about adjusting the light on it to make it seem more real, but I really didn't want people thinking that was my actual desk. 😉
Thanks for sharing. Can I ever relate! I didn't even know you were supposed to use an outline….lol. I just started writing and my character took me on quite a journey. Later I did outline, but she refused to conform, so I decided to leave her story the way it is and move on. I, too, deleted whole scenes, chapters, and notes to myself. Had I known then what I know now I would have kept every file, every scrap of paper. Personally, I don't think there is a "right" way to write, but lucky for me, I have this group and a great Writer's Group who have been very instrumental in helping me progress. Authors like you give me new insight every day – thank you!
Thanks Ms. Leander. I really, really, appreciate that. I too had never worked with an outline before, but then I've also never tried to write a story this large.
I wish you the best with your new novel INZARED, and the sequel that you're working on. Please drop by and let us know when they're out. Contact me on Twitter at @KD_Rush and I'll be happy to mention them. Again, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment. It made my day.
😉
Am following you on Twitter. Thanks for the offer to mention them. I'll be glad to do the same for you. It's so great to meet other authors going through the same trials and joys that I am – sometimes it seems like no one understands writers! Except, of course, other writers! My Twitter contact is @lleander11
Exactly! Gotcha back. Great to meet you.
My biggest mistake, writing narrative non-fiction, has been to set myself the rule that I mustn't veer from the truth at all. In the first book I recorded what happened exactly as it happened. I didn't allow myself to stretch or bend time at all for a better flow, or to invent a conversation that gave the sense of the person if I couldn't recall the words for real. It has the feeling of a diary, which I'm fine with, people warm to the immediacy but it ended up being two books in one and I was too pig-headed to see that at the time. A little imagination would have made two books that fitted separate genres instead of one that's uncategorisable. I'm constructing things differently this time, I've relaxed the internal rules to make better shapes and, yes, there's an outline.
Oh, and a great piece, thank you for the internal workings, it's comforting to know we all tie our own hands sometimes.
Thanks Carolyn! It's always good to hear from you. Yes, that outline thing can be a tough job after the fact, especially if you want the story to go in a different direction.
I've always been content to let the characters drive the story. Many of my favorite books have such great characters (To Kill a Mockingbird, The Vampire Lestat, The Catcher in the Rye, Eragon, The Stand). In this instance however, it was just as important that my characters end their story in the right place.
Thanks for sharing your 'oops moment' with us! 😉
WONDERFUL PHOTO! I just had to clear my worktable for the first time in a decade, and found much interesting material, and some went into the fireplace — but it has been warm in Southern Maryland until now and the wood is too wet to bring inside, so I can always retrieve what I tossed!
Thanks Elisavietta, I appreciate that. It's an honor to have you stop by and leave a comment.
I really need to get some of my old poems and stories out of the notebooks and backed up on the computer. It was a cold winter here too, and I'd really hate to be tempted one day. 😉
KD, another honest, helpful, straight ahead post from you. You have quickly become my hero as we are both figuring out these steps at the same time. Patting ourselves on the back with one hand and slapping ourselves in the head saying "duh" with the other – at least that's what it feels like sometimes! Anyways, you are a natural talent KD and I really appreciate you sharing this journey. Onwards we shall go sir!
Jo
Thanks Jo. I've had plenty of 'duh' moments since I set foot on this path, and I'm sure there are many more to come. All I can do is blog and laugh about them…after an appropriate amount of pouting time has passed.
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Your comments are a reflection of your kind and generous nature, and I appreciate them. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to stop by!
RUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great post man.
I'm trying to think if I've ever written anything with an ending in mind. I don't think so. Maybe a short story. I've written three novels and I didn't know where the hell any of them were going until I got there. 🙂
Maaaderrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just want to grow up and write like you my friend.
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Your stories are the ultimate character driven novels. I'm currently reading The Biker, and I have to say, you do set the bar high.
And by the way, just as a public shout-out, I really appreciate all the advice and support you have thrown my way over the past few months. It means the world to me, as do you brother. Write on!
Ouch!! Only time will tell if it was a good decision. Hope your next attempt goes more smoothly. Tough post to write. Thanks for the candid account.
Thanks Yvonne. I'm not very far down the road on the latest edition, but far enough that I can see it will be a much better story than it was.
Perhaps I'll make a few more mistakes before it's all over with, but deleting the entire story will never again be one of them.
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Glad to hear it. 🙂
Some writers swear by outlines, some [like me] try to outline and then give the whole thing away as a waste of time because the story diverges from the outline so quickly. Each of us has to find what works for our own, unique mindset.
I now have a vague idea of where my story will go and how it will end up but for me the joy is in the journey so I'm open to new ah hah moments. Plus I suspect that if I don't know how things will end then at least my future readers won't get as far as page 2 and go 'Oh so that's how it's going to be'.
Like you I'm a new writer and this is my apprenticeship. I'm learning as I go with my favourite authors as guides. As apprentices we're supposed to make mistakes, although I think of them more as explorations that don't quite work. Sure they may lead to dead ends but I know I've picked up some goodies along the way.
When I get depressed at yet another rewrite I tell myself that this is not a race. I have all the time in the world to get it right because there is no use-by date on writing. So what if I'm the first nonagenarian debut author in the world? That should get me into the Guinness Book of Records if nothing else 😉
See you on the best seller lists!
From one gamer to another, I like your attitude! Cheers!
Great post, K.D. I can relate to the accumulating of things. One day last year I found a receipt in a drawer for a pair of shoes I bought back in the 70s. Those shoes were probably worn out and in the garbage before the 70s were over.
But the first draft of my novel (hand-written, too)? Of course not! And I would dearly love to read it the way I first wrote it because I know how different it was from the finished book. I'd love to see how my writing has improved (at least, I hope it has). I do have it on a 5 1/4" floppy, but who has a floppy drive now? I'm just sorry I never thought to transfer it to a 3 1/2" floppy in the computer that had both. My next computer had a 3 1/2" floppy drive and a CD drive, so that would have been doable. But, without forethought, I'm now stuck with an unreadable floppy disk. Why do I keep it? Who knows. It's a hopeless case of hording.
Thanks Diane. The tech geek in me wants to find a 5 1/4 floppy drive on eBay and go on a rescue mission. 😉
As for stories that are slightly out of reach, I'm in a similar boat. I have an old disk that fits a word processor from twenty years ago filled with forgotten treasures. Perhaps one day I'll find that old WP on eBay and see if the disk still works.
I've gotten sidetracked from my novel by flash fiction. I am so loving it that I now wonder if I can write something the length of a novel. And can I write it for someone over 13….LOL! Time will tell and I'll be following your journey as I stairstep behind you. Keep it up!!
You have been such a busy little bee this past month! If I haven't told you recently how much I enjoy your writing, especially the A-Z challenges, then let me say so again. You are an inspiration to the rest of us.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment Donna! It means the world to me.