My first finally finished for 2010 is my first fill length story (I usually do novellas) WOO HOO. But now it’s time to move on.
Why is the story I write in my in the shower always better than the one I type at my computer? Someone posted this question on twitter yesterday, I nodded at my computer screen in agreement. I can’t tell you how many times I have started a story…it was perfect in my head and then I wrote it. The characters who were so alive in my head were flat and lacked depth on the paper. The story line that made my heart race with excitement was boring and filled with clichés.
So after repeatedly trying to write in the shower and it not working (yes, I needed to give it repeated tries) I have come to realize that I need to take the idea and put it to some serious testing before I start to write it.
I have finally finished my current WIP – I’m ready to start submitting it. I’ve had characters showering with me for about the last three weeks. It’s time to move them out of the shower and on to the paper. So how do I do this? I put them through their paces…
First, I sketch out the major events. This gives me a map—or else the characters drive me into every dead end possible.
1. At the start of my book, what distinguishes my protagonist from other people? What central strength does he/she have? How does this strength get him/her into trouble?
2. When the novel opens, what is s/he on the brink of doing? Why does he/she say she’s going to do this? What does this action represent for the protagonist?
3. What external situation will require the protagonist’s participation throughout the course of the book? How does this connect with #2? Does it help or interfere? Can you build in a deadline for extra tension?
4. What is the protagonist’s goal for the time the book covers? How does this connect with the external situation? Or does the external situation divert the protagonist from his/her goal? Why does the protagonist SAY he/she wants the goal? Is there a deeper motivation as yet unknown to him/her?
5. What problem (external conflict) does the external situation present? How can the protagonist eventually resolve that conflict?
6. List at least three obstacles in the way of her resolving this conflict. Make one an internal obstacle/conflict.
7. How will the protagonist grow because of confronting these obstacles?
8. What do I want to happen at the end of the book?
9. What will have to happen to the protagonist against his/her will to make my ending come about?
I use question #2 to craft an opening scene that involves the reader right away. A character on the brink of some action provides a lot of forward momentum. That action can involve the reader in the external situation described in 3, and/or be in pursuit of the goal I defined in 4. If it happens, what unforeseen consequences does it have?
I build my story from these nine questions. If my characters are cardboard or my story weak, I’m unable to answer these questions. I have found to be able to write – finally finished at the end of a story – regardless of length, it has to hold up to these nine questions.
So what have you finished this new year?
