by Pat Bertram
Member since:
October 4, 2007

Chronological Wombats XCIV

January 10, 2008 02:20 PM EST
views: 224 | comments: 440

I have been having a hard time getting into my newest writing venture, so I've been experimenting with writing scenes as I think of them, but my linear mind objects. It wants me to start at the beginning and go to the end. I know a lot of writers do that, but some jump into the middle and work toward both ends. Margaret Mitchell worked from back to front -- last chapter first, first chapter last.

How do you write? Chronologically? Whatever scene fits your mood?

 

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Comments: 440

J.C. Alexander Jan 10, 2008, 2:26pm EST
Am I first again! Yahoo!
Pat Bertram Jan 10, 2008, 2:27pm EST
Absolutely! I'm glad you found the non-party party.
Jamie C. Jan 10, 2008, 2:37pm EST
I'm here for the party.

I write from beginning to end, but always end up going back and changing the beginning when I'm done. Sometimes I skip middle parts and work them in later, but usually, I'm very linear.

End to beginning? I could never do that. What do you do when you finish in that case? Type "The Start" or "The End"?
Pat Bertram Jan 10, 2008, 2:38pm EST
I left coffee and tea on the table. Also some pineapple/carrot/oatmeal cookies. Help yourselves.
Lisa "Queen Wombat" F. Jan 10, 2008, 2:38pm EST
(channeling Ah-nuld) I'll be back.
Jerrica K. Jan 10, 2008, 2:39pm EST
Howdy, all! I'm with Jamie...I write front to back, but typically end up changing the beginning and filling in lots in the middle.
John Philipp Jan 10, 2008, 2:39pm EST
I do what Jamie does. Easier for me unles, I guess, you're writing "Memento."

With humorous articles, I sometimes start with the "punch line."
Jerrica K. Jan 10, 2008, 2:39pm EST
Ooooh...pineapple/carrot/oatmeal cookies! Delicious! Thank you, Pat!
Pat Bertram Jan 10, 2008, 2:40pm EST
Jamie: I do that too; I spend so much time on the beginning to get myself into the story, which is silly, because I always have to go back and change it.
simon g. Jan 10, 2008, 2:57pm EST
I start at the beginning, keep going until I get to a tough part, skip that, and keep going, and then I get all mixed up, and tell myself, I can always put this in order later, and then I keep going, and then I get to the end, and then I say "Oh Shiite, now I have to fill in all those gaps" (which could be half the book). So it isnt a very good method, but it is fun. At least at first.
J.C. Alexander Jan 10, 2008, 3:39pm EST
I tend to be linear, though I've done it in fragmented bits before, too. That resulted in a novel I hated, but I think it was the bleeding I did on the plot, not the chronology.
Beth H. Jan 10, 2008, 3:58pm EST
I always write the beginning first, but I always know the end. If I've got a middle scene in mind, I write it so I don't forget it. My endings are usually so strong that I don't fear forgetting them, so for the most part I wait until I actually get to the end to put them on paper. But for my Nov. NaNo, I did write the end before most of the middle. I had so much of it that I did fear forgetting parts. So I have a beginning straight through past a middle point, then I have a blank section, perhaps nearly a quarter of the book, and then the ending. A weird way to write, according to my usual practice. But it's there and I like it. Just not sure when I'll get back to finish it.

Great question, Pat.
Beaker (just Beaker) Jan 10, 2008, 4:17pm EST
Once I wrote a book with many characters, and I made a list of scenes in which the various players would interact (like: "Jamie and Beth," "Pat and Patudi") and then I worked through the list, and when I didn't want to do one, for whatever reason, I moved on down the list. I had arranged them in the order I thought they belonged, but I moved some of them as the plot developed. That's the only time I've worked from a detailed outline, but I like to have a rough outline, a list of chapters with plot progress in each one.
Beaker (just Beaker) Jan 10, 2008, 4:20pm EST
PS: beginnings are my weakest point. I never know how to start, when to start, where to start. During FC1, after reading many of the early entries, I rewrote my beginning so that the protagonist...woke up. Aaaaargh, what was I thinking? I was thinking, if everyone is doing this, it must be the right way to start a novel....
Jamie C. Jan 10, 2008, 4:32pm EST
Bad, JK, bad. Don't start with waking up. EEEEEE! Start with the earliest important action. I always start too late in the action and have to add a scene or two at the beginning because I find myself flashbacking too much in the first few chapters. That's the benefit of finishing and going back, then you can ask yourself: What is the most important thing to start with? Aha! I kept flashbacking to the day before the first chapter, so why not start there? Done that with 3 out of 6 completed novels. and 2 of those I didn't change the beginning for are going into the vault of "never seeing the light of day". The last one was the Wolf Huntress. I started that one in the right place, I think.

Um, I think it's about time to go home. I prepared for my Tuesday class today, but not my 3 Monday classes. Ha! Hope nothing comes up unexpectedly tomorrow or I'll be here this weekend getting ready for Monday.

Just got a call from Motrin, Code Orange. It's officially official now. They're working on setting up the 529 account. Yay!
simon g. Jan 10, 2008, 4:44pm EST
Yay Jamie!! BTW, did you happen to mention that the screw up in communication gave you such a bad headache that you had to take 4 Tylenols?
Jamie C. Jan 10, 2008, 4:52pm EST
*snork*, Sy! I prefer excedrin actually, but don't tell anyone.

Okay, outta here. then to the grocery store. then home. What a long day!
Dana F. Jan 10, 2008, 4:58pm EST
I'm a member of the LInear Club, Pat, but with short stories I tend to know how I want it to end before I start it. I don't WRITE the end first, but I either know where I'm heading or at least have a good last line. And I tinker in the middle and add stuff during rewrites, of course.

Jamie, congrats again!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 10, 2008, 5:00pm EST
Hi Pat! I usually start at the beginning go to the end and then work out the details within.

Thanks!
Wendy C. Jan 10, 2008, 5:24pm EST
bookmark
Lisa "Queen Wombat" F. Jan 10, 2008, 5:27pm EST
I write chronologically but I frequently have a scene or scenes in mind for later in the book (usually something unpleasant and/or climactic) and sometime I sketch those out in advance.

And yes, I flounder around in the beginning as well. Oftentimes writing the beginning is what tells me who and what the book is about.
Pat Bertram Jan 10, 2008, 5:38pm EST
Glad you all found your way here despite the snowy roads. I can make hot buttered rum or hot chocolate if anyone is cold.

This is really great! I've been wondering how other writers write, and now I know -- any way you can.

J.K.: Beginnings are my weakest point, too, but I can't continue until I have them written. The first fifty pages usually take me as long to write as the rest of the book.
Wendy C. Jan 10, 2008, 5:39pm EST
My hat's off to anyone who could write back to front. I'd be so confused it would be just short of ridiculous.

I fuss with the beginning a bunch too, until I get a feel for the characters and where they are going. If I don't have the beginning settled I run into dead ends until I fix it.

I often have scenes I'm working toward, but I never write them ahead of time. I tried once and ended up with a file full of 'scenes' which didn't quite fit anywhere.

Off to WoNo..
Dana F. Jan 10, 2008, 5:53pm EST
What Pat B. said about the first 50 pages taking as long as the rest of the book is SO true for me...
Dana F. Jan 10, 2008, 5:54pm EST
...especially with kittens sitting on my arms.
Dana F. Jan 10, 2008, 6:06pm EST
Oh, Count, if only it were that simple...
Paul Allen Leoncini Jan 10, 2008, 6:34pm EST
Who cares ....writer's are full of it...
Catherine M. Jan 10, 2008, 6:50pm EST
Found you. Off to get my hair cut and colored.

Cathy
Amy D. Jan 10, 2008, 6:55pm EST
I go from beginning to end but there will be parts where I will type "PUT SOMETHING HERE" because I have the next scene in mind, but not sure how to get there. When the WIP is done, I go back in and fill in the blanks and have a better idea of what should go there because the story is basically done.
Amy D. Jan 10, 2008, 7:01pm EST
Okay, caught up on the thread now

Great cookies Pat

Yea, Jamie. Glad there are no more worries - officially.

Now, off to a meeting so when I get back, I'll be behind once again.
Jamie C. Jan 10, 2008, 7:07pm EST
I have one novel complete except for the following "filler" right in the center of the book.

"Troops march to attack village, Sylum sends Fistian to warn the villagers, General pissed finding empty village, Pillaging commences, Troops march back, General does something terrible to Julian"

I figure all that will take about 3 chapters. But it's a book that I wrote for myself, so no one gets to see that one anyway. I might finish it someday, though.
Pat Bertram Jan 10, 2008, 7:09pm EST
Jamie:

"Troops march to attack village, Sylum sends Fistian to warn the villagers, General pissed finding empty village, Pillaging commences, Troops march back, General does something terrible to Julian"

Works for me.
Jamie C. Jan 10, 2008, 7:11pm EST
But what about the rule of "show" don't "tell", Pat B. LOL!
Pat Bertram Jan 10, 2008, 7:16pm EST
They also say not to explain, to let the reader's imagination fill in the blanks.
Wendy C. Jan 10, 2008, 7:17pm EST
Hey Paul.

I don't count as anyone right Jamie?

Remind me again that the purpose of Wombat Novel Write More.. is to write, not to produce something good. It is driving me crazy, I want to redo and edit.. durn it!

Okay back at it.
Christina F. Jan 10, 2008, 7:20pm EST
I write from beginning to end and then go back through it all again and again.

So what's your latest writing venture about? Would love to know.
Jill Lynn A. Jan 10, 2008, 7:20pm EST
I just read a piece by a literary agent the other day who said one of the biggest mistakes writers make is writing their novels chronilogically because we write our novels in movie-fashion, rather than in novel-fashion. Whatever that means. HA. Me? Yeah, you guessed it. I write chronilogically. I do "head write" scenes out of order though. This is especially true of dialogue. There are lines of dialogue I know I'm going to write twenty chapters before I get to it.

Pat B. Welcome. Nice to see you here. Enjoyed your FCC chapters.

Yay, Jamie! We get to celebrate your victory again. Oh, and can I just say publicly that after reading your and Sy's comments on the diet-lady's thread, you are SO meant for each other. I didn't know what the heck you two were talking about, but I'm thinking the phytochemicals and enzyme talk between you was some kind of scientists' foreplay. *wink* LOL.
Dana F. Jan 10, 2008, 7:21pm EST
Wendy, if you can just write and turn off your internal critique, you have my total admiration! Go get it! Be an inspiration to me! I needs it!
Dana F. Jan 10, 2008, 7:22pm EST
Jill... LOL! "Sy, your enzymes make my phytochemicals so...hot." It could work.
Jamie C. Jan 10, 2008, 7:28pm EST
I was totally turned on.
Jamie C. Jan 10, 2008, 7:30pm EST
Wendy, you don't want to read this one. Sylum discovers his bisexual side and falls in love with a man. The world is not ready for this book. Actually, I'm surprised I wrote it, but that's what the characters told me to write. I must listen to the characters or they will not shut up.
Jamie C. Jan 10, 2008, 7:31pm EST
Talk dirty science to me, Jules. It gets me hot.
Pat Bertram Jan 10, 2008, 7:33pm EST
Christina: My latest venture is a tongue-in-cheek apocalytic novel, a complete departure for me. I usually stick to psychological thrillers. If you're interested, you can see my struggles to create the character for the work on my blog.

Bertram's Blog
Jamie C. Jan 10, 2008, 7:36pm EST
Hubba, hubba, Jules. It don't take much these days. ;-)

Well, I need to go do some editing. The medical thriller is making me insane, but it's getting there.
~Sia McKye~ Jan 10, 2008, 7:40pm EST
The learning process. Ain't it grand. I'm linear. but like Jamie, I sometimes start at a point too far in the future then find my self doing a flashback or something. So if I have to do that too much, I'm learning, start there. Eliminates some of the flash back dump. Like I said, I'm learning.
Kenna C. Jan 10, 2008, 7:42pm EST
Hey Wombats!

As to question - I write from before the beginning and go to after the end with many, many revisits to everything in between as I go. Chronological, I guess, but I tend to go back in time periodically.

OK, the 'dirty science' thing intrigues me. Think I'll have to go back upthread (definitly salmon-like during mating season. Coincidence?)
Kenna C. Jan 10, 2008, 7:46pm EST
Does anybody else have a file full of discarded scenes? I had one scene in my novel that just gave me fits - I rewrote it 5 times before I was happy. And it may be kinda annal, but I kept all the drafts. Now what the heck do I do with the same scene written five different ways?
Pat Bertram Jan 10, 2008, 7:47pm EST
Files full!!
Wendy C. Jan 10, 2008, 7:48pm EST
Jamie someone on Sy's dairy article is suggesting dairy is the cause of all evil.. obesity, heart disease and diabetes. I'll have to jump over there and see what our Doc has to say to this. I think you'll like it. big grin.

I have to make dinner and then take care of my pixie princess. Turning off the edit witch is a chore. Is there room in your dungeon for her Pat S. ? She really needs to be shackled.
Pat Bertram Jan 10, 2008, 7:48pm EST
Some of my discarded scenes are now first chapters in search of a story.
Wendy C. Jan 10, 2008, 7:49pm EST
Kenna, I have a file of 'for later scenes' for every ms I have. Scenes which don't fit, but I can't discard. Sad
Interesting question. I'm all over the place when I write. I start out with a certain scene in my head, and that morphs, so I have to write what comes next, which may not fit in, so I take that sentence or paragraph and put it at the bottom of the page to work on later.
I have a lot of single paragraphs saved either on paper or in the computer to use somewhere at sometime.
~Sia McKye~ Jan 10, 2008, 7:57pm EST
Hey Julie! Paul all writers are full of it, if words are 'it' Dana and Wendy, I can't write without ocassionally editing. Or I try to make myself get to the end of the chapter at least.

Ok, gotta feed the kid.
~Sia McKye~ Jan 10, 2008, 7:59pm EST
Kenna, dump file is full, lol!
Kenna C. Jan 10, 2008, 8:01pm EST
I have pages and pages of them. I even have little blurbs. Sometimes, when in need of a muse, I'll peruse them, so I guess they do serve a purpose.

I have a new idea for a psychotic protag that is begging to be put down on paper. The series has a humorous slant, and is so different from the novel I just finished, which is probably good, for a change of pace. Hopefully it will give me the breather I need between boughts of editing!
Kenna C. Jan 10, 2008, 8:06pm EST
Kids - they're driving me to distraction right now! We spent way too long in Cleveland today in waiting rooms, and they've gotten home and just gone nuts. Oh, well. It's a school night, so I guess I'll let 'em blow off steam for the last hour!
Pat S. Jan 10, 2008, 8:07pm EST
Just catching up here. OK, I'm still on my first novel (and blatently ignoring it by being here!) I have to do it chronilogically. It's bad enough I had to give up my inner editor, and my inner researcher is going to need therapy after this, I just cannot give up linear writing. I'll probably scrap the entire first chapter, because I apparently started too far back in the story. I posted the beginning of my chapter 2 and everyone seems to think it should be chapter 1. It probably will be in the end.

Interesting question Pat B!
Rand Phares Jan 10, 2008, 8:09pm EST
Good question. I lay out the storyline, then fill in the scenes that jump up first saying, "Pick ME! Pick ME!" Whatever's missing after that gets filled in, which usually ends up changing a lot of what's already been captured.

My first WIP started with a picture in my head. The whole book then led to that picture, that final frame. Ironically, that kernel of a picture disappeared several rewrites later.

Jamie - glad the college fund is truly materializing!
~Sia McKye~ Jan 10, 2008, 8:12pm EST
Julie? Oh no. I bet I saved to drafts and forgot. Yep, I forgot, sorry sweetie! Fifty lashes at least. To forgive is divine, but to kick some a** is so much more fun, lololol!
Beth H. Jan 10, 2008, 8:13pm EST
I've got 'em, too. Lots of blurbs meant to go somewhere and never did. But they'll never belong in another story, so why am I keeping them? Guess we all do it.
Kenna C. Jan 10, 2008, 8:18pm EST
Yeah! It's like their sacrosanct, and deletion would be an afront to the writing gods.

I don't know if I just don't want to have wasted the effort of writing them, or what. But the chances I'll ever use them are nil to none!
Jamie C. Jan 10, 2008, 8:19pm EST
I remember Judi mentioning a good idea of what to do with those deleted scenes. After you sell the manuscript, post them on your website as deleted scenes. You know like they have on DVDs for movies. I thought it sounded like a great idea. I can't remember where she said she heard it - some published author, I think. So save 'em!
Ian M. Jan 10, 2008, 8:20pm EST
Beth, with mine, once it's deleted, it's gone, except that I've got all the original chapters intact separately as they were at first draft. Once I had every chapter accomplished, I copied and pasted them all into one document and began editing, but the wiser of me would've maybe edited piece by piece before doing that. It's not a bad thing to have the originals though, if I'm ever curious to see how my rougher writing is. It shows the strengths and weaknesses in a much clearer contrast. Depends on how closely it's being read, too. If I'm taking it all seriously, I blur into the errors.
Kenna C. Jan 10, 2008, 8:24pm EST
Deleted scenes! I love it! Of course, now, there's just that TINY problem of actually getting published.
Jamie C. Jan 10, 2008, 8:27pm EST
Hang in there, Kenna!

Hey, Ian. How's it going?
Wendy C. Jan 10, 2008, 8:34pm EST
I discovered early that if my edit witch is PMSing it is a good idea to have a back up in case I have remorse later. laughing.. If I'm in a cut and slash mood it can get ugly. Better safe than sorry.

Deleted scenes.. Love it!

Nice to see you Ian!
Ian M. Jan 10, 2008, 8:35pm EST
Jamie, I'm doing okay. They say that people who've been on Zoloft sometimes attempt suicide, and it's one drug that I was on before I attempted suicide twice, though there was some marijuana and paranoia involved that led up to that. Right now, I'm going into a good part of the year that December has prepared me for. I'm looking to get into part time work again, though I was recently on Zoloft a few months back to mitigate the effect caffeine had had on me. I'm a little bit predicting that I could run into a few complications, but I'm doubting I'll be so deep into it that I won't see a doctor. Missed an appointment today, thinking it was the 9th today, but I'll call tomorrow and hopefully see her tomorrow afternoon if it's available. Sorry to spill my life story, but as it goes, that is what's with me right now. I might also sometime look into drafting in Columbus, it isn't too far to drive if I have to. Hope all is okay with you. Congrats again, on winning the scholarship fund.
Ian M. Jan 10, 2008, 8:36pm EST
Nice to see you, too, Wendy. I have a new photo of me, by the way.
Wendy C. Jan 10, 2008, 8:37pm EST
A bit o'grandma braggin. This afternoon Ky wanted her papa to read to her. She got the book and when he reached for her she skirted him. She snatched his glasses off the end table to give to him. Then pushed her drum up to where he was and crawled up on her own. All this thought at seventeen months.. the human brain is an amazing organ.
Jamie C. Jan 10, 2008, 8:40pm EST
I think looking into drafting school is a great idea, Ian. Go for it! You'd do wonderful work. And do watch your moods, sweetie, we don't want to see you hurt. Take care of yourself.
Jamie C. Jan 10, 2008, 8:44pm EST
Cute, Wendy. Amazing how she realized he needed his glasses.
Ian M. Jan 10, 2008, 8:57pm EST
I've got to get ready for heavy sleep, right after I check emails.
Pat S. Jan 10, 2008, 8:59pm EST
Oh Wendy, I do love to hear you bragging on your little one! How sweet!

Julie, I think Ian means Columbus Nebraska. We may be the best, but we're not the only Columbus. LOL!
Wendy C. Jan 10, 2008, 9:30pm EST
Take care Ian, sleep well.

Thank you ladies, don't encourage me too much I'll drive you to drink. LOL
She seems to make correlations one wouldn't expect from a toddler. Then again it's been a long time since we had one this small around. Her mother gave me a run for my money as I recall.
Lisa "Queen Wombat" F. Jan 10, 2008, 9:31pm EST
Seconding Jamie's sentiments, Ian. Take care of yourself.
Jerrica K. Jan 10, 2008, 9:39pm EST
Evening, all! Loving the deleted scenes idea! I have a ton! I'll definitely hang on to them now!
Judi F. Jan 10, 2008, 9:54pm EST
Checking in before going to read. Not a word on Nano done today. Nope. Not one. I'm now behind the word count I wanted. I hope to remedy that on Sunday and maybe do another 5K. At least that's the plan. Life may interfere.

I spent the day at the museum and took loads of photos of sarcophagi and mummies. Will print them out so kid can take them in with the sarcophagus. Am very proud of the kid. We worked on that together and kid did a great job with it, especially writing the hieroglyphics all around the edge. We probably won't get it back b/c the teacher keeps the "bigger" projects (the kids could actually just turn in a drawing of a sarcophagus with the required elements), so I've taken lots of pictures. About the only place in the house for it would be my office. Oh, and there's a mummy inside. I'll upload the pictures when I've got some more time. I'm utterly beat since I had to sit in a school auditorium this evening. Ugh.

Ian, good to see you. Ditto on what everyone said - be careful with your moods. We care about you.

Night everyone!
Pat S. Jan 10, 2008, 9:54pm EST
Well, shoot, you mean I'm supposed to keep drafts of what I write? OK, let me finish this one first, then I'll save it off before I start editing. Or at least before I start editing more (ok, yes, I cheated and edited a bit). This is so new, I keep forgetting to even do a backup. And I should know better!
Jamie C. Jan 10, 2008, 10:01pm EST
Ugh! Editing! Ugh! This manuscript needs so much work. It's driving me nuts. Is it asking too much that one sentence not need editing? And while you all are creating new. I'm totally redoing old. That counts for WoNo, right?
Pat S. Jan 10, 2008, 10:03pm EST
Yes Jamie, it counts. And I'm just struggling to get words on the page right now, so I can edit later! You're a better person than I am. If I have to do that much editing, I'll throw the whole thing in the trash and forget about it! But look at it this way. In the end, you'll essentially have a whole new book!
Jamie C. Jan 10, 2008, 10:16pm EST
I suppose. Strange thing is, a year ago, I didn't even see the problems in the manuscript.
Shifting POV
Dialogue tags galore
Telling, telling, telling
Way too much jargon
Weak characterization
Punctuation errors
Projecting to the reader
Too much explaining

Sheesh!
Dale C. Jan 10, 2008, 10:36pm EST
Nice to see that you found Wombats, Pat. I figured you would fit in here. Good question. I try to do my writing in a very systematic way. First I figure out the major characters and the overall plot. Than I do detailed outlines of each chapter. Finally I write the novel.

Okay, remember the word "try" that I used at the beginning of all that? All of that is the theory. In reality I get the plot and main characters down, then get impatient to get started, write a chapter, decide that this character doesn't work and this one needs to be added, write another chapter, decide that I really need some structure, to detailed outlines of maybe two-thirds of the chapters, get impatient and write all of those chapters, keep writing until I run out of steam and then go back to detailed plotting. Once I'm done writing a story, I start noticing that I have subconsciously put in details that lead to this plot twist or that plot twist, so I go back and add them in.

In other words I try to impose a structure and do to some extent, but my creative streak hates that structure and rebels against it very effectively once I push it beyond a certain point.
Pat S. Jan 10, 2008, 10:47pm EST
Jamie, look how much you've learned, that you didn't know before! I'm trying (Dale, there's that word!) to learn from everyone else's mistakes, and incorporate them as I go. I think I'm doing ok on POV. Not so sure on plot points. I'll probably end up with some dangling ones.

And not to be a complete fuss, but could you please address us as Pat B and Pat S? I keep thinking people are talking to me when they're not. Or Pat B and Pat? Sorry, don't mean to be a b*tch, but this is making me a bit nuts.
Maggie W. Jan 10, 2008, 10:57pm EST
How I approach my writing depends on what I am writing.

If I am doing business, academic or technical writing I tend to be rather linear and methodical. If I am in the creative mode - the story concept drives how things unfold. Sometimes it starts as a dream or a scene. Sometimes it is a character. I tend to scribble notes, talk into a micro-cassette recorder, use fish-bone diagrams or flow charts for the storylines and character development. Whatever works for the concept.

The romance novel I wrote for FCR evolved out of a dream and flowed in a linear form. My first novel (legal thriller) started with the ending and a character. I did not write from the end to the beginning, rather I had the ending and then was like a jackrabbit with ADHD as I moved through the story. The two WIPs I have in progress - one started out as chronological but is now coming to me in blurbs. The second WIP started in the middle and I am not sure where I am headed with it.
Dave S. Jan 10, 2008, 10:58pm EST
Ian: Great to hear from you! Hang in there, buddy.

Pat B: I am a hopelessly linear thinker. But, I can write flashbacks as I go, as long as they are moving me linearly toward the finale.

Pat S: Your wish is my command.
Dave S. Jan 10, 2008, 11:00pm EST
WoNo count: 5,650. I don't think I'll make it.

_________________________________________

SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE: MicroNovel. MicroNovel. MicroNovel. MicroNovel. MicroNovel. MicroNovel. MicroNovel. MicroNovel.

_________________________________________
June B. Jan 10, 2008, 11:00pm EST
This is a fantastic article. After reading through the thread I've realized that many of you have the same problems that I have in writing. I feel so much better now believing I've been too hard on myself. Kawabunga!

My novel began with a crazy mixed up dream that I recorded on paper and then became bored picking it up later, adding to the story line. I write from beginning to end and then go back and edit. I love Amy's idea of "Put something here." That would save a lot of hunting when I get an idea out of the blue for a scene that needs to be added in somewhere. I do have bits and pieces filed that I never used hoping they'll be useful in the future.

Jamie, I hope a year from now I can reread my manuscript and see the problems more clearly. I thought you had been writing for years.

I'm feeling better now. The Dr. prescribed Neurontin and It made me halucinate. He said it's a mild side effect that usually happens with the first dose. LOL, what a wild trip that was. Now I can't shut up.
Maggie W. Jan 10, 2008, 11:02pm EST
Oh - Jaime, congrats!!! Sorry, my little bundle of DNA distracted me before I added that to the prior post. The excuses a 4 year old can come up with for not sleeping in his own bed...tomorrow morning is going to be so much fun. Not.
June B. Jan 10, 2008, 11:11pm EST
BTW, I saw a bran new white semi truck cab sitting on my patio this morning, inside a completely fenced yard, wedged between my house and the garage. I wasn't even startled by it. I just wondered how they got the thing over the fence. LOL, Last night I thought I saw a car in front of my house with screaming maniacs in it. Next thing I knew, I thought I saw a police van pull up in front of it and a cop walked up my front sidewalk right into my front porch with a camera on his shoulder. I was standing on the porch watching the commotion. I wondered why he was walking into my porch with a camera and then I realized it was my friends husband bringing me a large bag of dog food. The screaming maniac was my friend Dee and her neice. They were laughing and joking in the car. Whew, Good drugs. LOL
Pat S. Jan 10, 2008, 11:13pm EST
Dave, you're ahead of me. My WoNo count as of tonight is 5,465. I'm sooo behind. But I am thinking of 12 word novels. I have 5, I'm just trying to winnow it down to what I think will work, what is not obviously horror (since that seems to be a 'tell' of mine, and what I think will intrigue the audience. And yes, nearly everything I'm writing at the momemt, I find myself thinking "Is that 12 words?"
Pat S. Jan 10, 2008, 11:18pm EST
Oh Junie, I'm so glad you can laugh at it! Sis says the same sort of thing happens with her drugs! It would have been nice if the doctor had forewarned you!

I should mention that although I'm a linear writer, I do have one scene that popped into my head full blown and has been written. I have no idea where it came from; it wasn't in the plan, but it's written, so I guess I have to write the stuff that leads up to it.

And the ending always has been there full blown in my head. But I refuse to write it until I get there. Don't want to spoil the story for myself!
Stephen Prosapio Jan 10, 2008, 11:26pm EST
Hey wombats!
Taking place in two different time frames, two different continents, and two different dimensions was the nightmare of chronology that was Dream War. I was very hard to pull it all together.

My current WiP has one timeline and writing chronologically has been much easier. That said, I do write other scenes and/or fragments of scenes if they come to me. Today I wrote what may be the final couple paragraphs of the book...how I get there is anyone's idea.

Believe it or not my WoNo # is behind both Pat and Dave but what I do have is clean, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to use most of it. I just can't seem to write to word count without going back to clean and rewrite.

I'm off to write...
June B. Jan 10, 2008, 11:32pm EST
Pat, yes a little warning would have been nice. I thought my brain was a goner. Did your sister know this would happen ahead of time? Is she taking Nerontin?
Pat Bertram Jan 10, 2008, 11:39pm EST
June: Are you taking notes? Sounds like some good material for nightmarish scenes in a novel.

All you WoNo writers: I don't see how you do it. The words come so slowly that there is no way I can write 50,000 words in a month. But you have inspired me to at least figure out where my book is going.

I am thrilled you all came to talk about how you write. My idiosyncracies don't seem quite so idiosyncratic now.
June B. Jan 10, 2008, 11:43pm EST
Pat, yes I'm certainly taking notes. Lots of good information here and I'm psyched.
June B. Jan 10, 2008, 11:45pm EST
uh, no pun intended there.
Pat Bertram Jan 10, 2008, 11:46pm EST
Puns are good. No apology necessary.
Pat S. Jan 10, 2008, 11:51pm EST
June, I have no idea what drugs she's on. She's very private about her treatments, and I respect that. It's just a few things she's said here and there. She was diagnosed a long time ago, maybe 10 years? I do know she's got access to some cutting edge treatments, and her doctor is one of the leading research docs. But still, a tough illness to deal with. I applaud anyone dealing with MS with any kind of success. You seem to be doing well with yours. And feel free to share your hallucinations with us. Steve will probably turn them into stuff for his novel!

Pat B, I never even contemplated writing a novel at all until NaNo in November. No one was more astonished than me that I did 52K words in one month. To this day, I have no idea where they all came from. But, there you have it. Half a novel, and now I have to finish the stupid thing.

I'm ashamed that I'm doing so little now. Although I did throw out about 2K tonight, and that's good. I just need to get back in the groove. And deal with the 12 hour work days. And the two new projects they threw in my lap today. Do they not know I have this whole other life at night??

And Steve, love the premise of your new novel!