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Habits

My weekends are so twisted now; I don't know if I'll ever get used to Saturday being Sunday and vice versa.

Novel Shortcuts, Chapter 1, Part 1

A brief summary: To be able to write a solid draft quickly and well, it helps to have a good handle on the core of your story.

A basic story premise of a novel consists of the main character, the primary setting, and the overall problem.

Identifying these three components clearly will help move the draft along.

• If you know the character well, then you solve the issues of voice and perspective. You know what obstacles to use and where to place them and why, to keep tension high. The author also points out that a well-defined character is quick to draw the reader into the story, and editors/agents love a sympathetic main character.
  
  
• An effective setting will mold both the characters and the problem. An example the book gives is Romeo and Juliet. Think about how the place and time shapes both the people involved and the problem they face.
  
  
• Lastly the problem can't just be a goal. There has to be the *but* clause in there. "Character must do this" is not a problem. "Character must do this but this is in the way" constitutes the problem.

If something doesn't seem to be working with your draft, going back to each of these components and rethinking them could be key to keeping forward momentum going. The book is fantastic for giving ideas that help you address various aspects of each segment of the premise.

Let's Discuss

What are some tools you might use to

• Clearly define your character
• Choose and know your setting
• Make sure the overall problem will sustain an entire book

Study schedule for January

My plan through October contains two components. The first two weeks of the month are dedicated to honing craft in order to crank out a better first draft in November. The second two weeks will focus on revising a draft already written. I really think the first two weeks will also impact the revision process, which is why I put future before the past.

So beginning January 7th, I will be reading and implementing the first part of Chapter 1 from Novel Shortcuts by Laura Whitcomb. I am reading the first chapter through page 24 and working on whatever exercises are suggested. However, I will probably apply them to an existing novel rather than something new. Unless something new grabs my attention. Wouldn't hurt to plan for November, should the opportunity arrive.

Will share a tidbit or two here as I work through the focus of Chapter 1, which is clarifying the premise of your story and how doing so helps maintain enthusiasm for your story, leading to a faster, better draft. Interesting stuff.

Week beginning January 14, will finish this chapter.

Week beginning January 21st and 28th--Will begin to work through the book Novel Metamorphosis by Darcy Pattison. Details to follow.

Why do my weeks begin on Thursday? That's when our writing workshop is generally held. I was hoping to center discussions on these topics, but I'm having a miserable time getting back to my newsgroup to post the information. I may resort to posting on Facebook to get it done.

Planning the Plan

I've decided that I want to accomplish two things by the end of October, 2010 (November is NaNo and December is R & R = Regroup and Reassess).

1. I want to revise and edit a previous years' NaNo draft with a goal of submitting it.
2. I want to be ready to write a better first draft in November.

To help me accomplish the goals, I've decided to work from two different books.

1. Novel Metamorphosis: Uncommon Ways to Revise by Darcy Pattison
2. Novel Shortcuts: Ten Techniques that Ensure a Great First Draft by Laura Whitcomb

One of the most educational and rewarding writing events that I've been to was the Novel Revision Retreat Darcy headed up a couple years ago. I could pick apart a plot and build key scenes to write between; I had a plan for getting a novel on paper. But I never could quite hit on a plan for getting that draft polished. I came away from that one weekend with tools that I know I will always use. I'm looking forward to using her book to get me through the revision of another NaNo baby.

The Novel Shortcuts book is one that I've had on my shelf awhile. It intrigues me.

So join me, won't you? I'm planning to use these two books in the weekly writer's workshop I've been neglecting as well. I think I'll devote the first two weeks of a month to the Shortcuts book (hoping some of the information will carry over into revision) and the second two weeks on Novel Metamorphosis.

Sounds like a nice balance right?

According to the "experts" this resolve should last till the end of January, perhaps into February.

Let's prove the experts wrong!

If you're interested in my detailed monthly schedule, let me know in the comments and I'll e-mail it.

Plans

I think I became resistant to making plans because I love doing it, and all that potential progress looks so positive and pretty when settled like eggs in a nest. Hatching them is another story entirely. Failure is depressing.

Looking back over my writing or lack thereof, the years I got more done than just completing a rough draft in November, I had definite goals in mind. One year I joined a group that set monthly goals. That was awesome! Unfortunately it disbanded into the second year and my goals came tumbling down as well. Nothing has been built since.

I'm going to get back on track now. Writing is one of three main areas of my life that are getting major overhauls. The others...well they deserve blogs to themselves.

The encouraging part is that I wanted to build on November's momentum this time around. I took two weeks off after NaNo, considering I didn't start till almost the 15th of November and still managed to finish. I was worn out! I have been doing a morning page regularly since about mid-December; my new journal is 8 x 6, college ruled and one page was about all I could handle to start with.

The good news is characters are starting to visit! Most people try to get rid of the voices in their heads. In my insanity, I welcome the voices with open arms. I didn't realize how badly I'd been missing them. So far, I've met two new potential protagonists.

So once again I find it reaffirmed: when you come to the page, the rest comes to you. I have failed to come to the page, but the rest has never failed me yet. Just put down something. It doesn't have to be more than drivel. It all counts.

I have been learning from my unhatched plans too, so not all is lost. Don't attempt too much at once. Make the goals very specific. Start big and work down to what I can do right now. Very basic, I know, but I can't be a fast learner in everything.

This blog will be part of my plan for the year. I like the feel of accountability, and I'm going to do my best not to whine here. I want to be more constructive. Press those lemons and add plenty of sugar. Drink that lemonade, be refreshed and keep going.

I've never felt that writing has to be a chore. Like almost every other writer out there, I've let it become unwelcome from time to time, but the trouble is never with the writing. The writing always does me good. The trouble is generally my attitude toward the writing. If I can keep the attitude right, then the rest should be better. That's my theory anyway. Let's see how it works.

That's not to say I can't discuss problems. I just can't say, "I hate this plot, or this character, or this revision" without doing something to fix the problem. Find the problem and fix it. Don't stop! Celebrate the joys and the achievements, find the silver lining in failure and defeat. It can be done.

It must be done.

It will be done!

If You've Noticed a Change

Thank you!!!

I'm developing this idea.  Check back May-ish for a launch.  In the meantime, send good vibes.  :)  Please! 

~C

Thanks for coming, but I've moved!

Sheesh.  Writers.....  Always on to another "scene." Find me here: http://carolyndekat.blogspot.com/ 

Go visit!  Help yourself to NaNo vitamins!  :) 

~Carolyn