Page by Page the Story Grows

When an idea for a novel hits me, the first thing I do is WRITE IT DOWN.  If I don’t, the idea disappears, completely, within minutes.  I’ve lost a great many ideas into the vast black hole in my head.  Some of them were quite good too.  Frustration doesn’t begin to describe the loss. 

Once I pick a premise for a story, I work the plot over and around in my head, feeling it out, testing the theory.  Is the idea strong enough to carry an audience through an entire novel?  Who are my characters and what problems am I going to face them with?  Once I start to pull this information together, I begin an outline.  I start with my characters, creating their physical features and working through to their inner cores.  Once I have an intimate understanding of who they are, I plan out my storyline chapter by chapter from beginning to end so that I have some guidance through which to maneuver as I share my story. 

The outline is a rough model at best and most of the time I follow it, adding, changing, or deleting things as the story develops.  Having the outline tends to keep me on track.  I live in my head so it’s easy to get distracted and before I know it, I’ve taken the fork in the road heading in the opposite direction.  If I know where I want the story to end, I can keep my attention focused and not waste days writing scenes that will eventually be deleted in their entirety.  My motto is:  It is better to add than delete!

In my experience of writing, the process of a novel feels a little like following a rainbow.  In the excitement of starting a new project, the beginning chapters pour onto the pages quickly.  However, the middle of the story comes more slowly, as if writing uphill.  Once you crest the top of the rainbow and start down again, the chapters begin to flow more quickly.  By the time you get to the pot of gold at the finish line, your hair is standing on end from the surge of electrical excitement. 

I can’t describe the feeling of infinite joy that fully completing the draft brings.  Forget the editing.  That is a job for another day.  Today, I will head directly toward the wine cabinet and the biggest glass I can find for a little personal celebration.  Why don’t you pull up a chair and join me?  (Oh, and I you don't mind, bring a can of hairspray.  My hair needs a little help.)