In an earlier post "Five Steps to Completing a Novel" I talk about the structure of brainstorming. Now I'm going to break it down into what I actually do.
Normally when I hear the word brainstorming, I think of someone sitting in a quiet place with a pen and paper and saying "I'd like to write a book. So I'm going to get some ideas." I have done this a few times, but honestly I don't get answers in those brainstorming sessions. I get questions.
So if inspiration does not come from sitting in your writing nook, where does it come from? You need an initial inspiration for your book(s). As much as I'd like to say my book just popped into my head one day, it didn't. Much of my story was influenced by other fantasy novels, video games, and movies. Dragon Lance, the Sword of Truth, and the Book of Three series were major influences. My biggest source of inspiration was the hit video game The Legend of Zelda.
Let me say now that there is a huge difference between inspiration and plagiarism. Inspiration is where you see something you like, and take your own flight from there. Plagiarism is where you see something you like and steal it completely, maybe changing a name here and there, but keeping the plot the same.
There is nothing wrong with being inspired by someone else's work. Mario didn't just pop into Shigeru Myamoto's head one day. He admits that Alice in Wonderland inspired him. She ate the cake and grew big; Mario eats mushrooms and grows big. While there are similarities, Mario and Alice are completely different, therefore Mario is not plagiarism.
I wanted to read a good fantasy novel, one that kept me up into the wee hours of the morning. I was very specific in what I wanted to read. I wanted a cool heroine, not a sissy damsel in distress. I wanted a magical sword that was THE sword. I wanted MAGIC in the book. I can't believe how many "fantasy" books I've read lately hardly have any magic! Sure, they heal someone once in a while, but most of the book is simply drama. I wanted spells, wizards, magical items and creatures. I wanted a love story with a happy ending.
Be specific in what you want your book to be about, what elements you want it to have, and what you do NOT want it to have.
As I brainstorm for my third book, I realize that it is not in that time set aside for thinking that I get ideas and answers. I have to immerse myself in my work, constantly have it in the back of my mind, so when inspiration strikes I recognize it. You might watch a movie that has nothing to do with your book, but from there it takes you to an entirely new place. If you're not paying attention though, you'll miss out. You might even be cooking dinner and an idea will come to you. Don't say "I'm just too busy to think about my book all day." You can be thinking while you're in your car, while you're eating, and while you're falling asleep. I get the best ideas just before I fall asleep.
You will find that as you immerse yourself in the brainstorming process, your ideas will become more original and frequent. When I was writing my first book I was so into my book that I started to dream about it, and got some amazing characters and scenes from my own dreams!
Stay focused and pay attention to the world around you. If it helps, keep a notebook handy so that you can jot down ideas when they come to you. If you follow the five steps properly, the majority of your inspiration will come to you before you ever write the first word. However, don't let the brainstorming stop there! Continue to listen to ideas, and you might just be surprised at how amazing your work ends up!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Getting started on your fantasy novel; the most important step.
As I've said before, to better help you understand the writing process, this blog will follow me as I write the third book The Synija series. I will share my real life experiences in hope that you will learn from them. I will also explain the writing process, and give you examples of going through it.
I don't know how many times I've heard people say "I'd like to write a book someday... I actually have a pretty good idea for a character/villain/world, etc." But they never get around to it! They say when they get out of school, when they get a good job, when they get through this, after their kids are grown, when they retire....
Just DO it! Accept that writing a book will not be easy, but will be worth it! Set aside time each day, or if you are too busy for each day, even once a week is better than "some day" which is code for never.
While it's extremely important to outline your book, it is possible to outline too much. You can spend years trying to figure out every detail, but sometimes until you write the actual scene you won't know everything.
So let's get started together!
I don't know how many times I've heard people say "I'd like to write a book someday... I actually have a pretty good idea for a character/villain/world, etc." But they never get around to it! They say when they get out of school, when they get a good job, when they get through this, after their kids are grown, when they retire....
Just DO it! Accept that writing a book will not be easy, but will be worth it! Set aside time each day, or if you are too busy for each day, even once a week is better than "some day" which is code for never.
While it's extremely important to outline your book, it is possible to outline too much. You can spend years trying to figure out every detail, but sometimes until you write the actual scene you won't know everything.
So let's get started together!
The amazing feeling when your book is FINISHED!
Saturday, July 10th, 2010. Slept late, and then awoke refreshed. Breakfast. And then the writing commenced.
I wrote all day, stopping only to eat and use the bathroom. My husband prayed for me that morning, that I could have the words to finish my book. I didn't expect to finish that day, but suddenly the words just flowed out of my fingers, and I no longer felt as if I was writing my book, but was reading it! A hole opened up in my computer screen, through which I watched the last chapters of my book play out like a movie!
Suddenly I was on the last chapter. Chris (my husband) left to get these amazing cookies from Great American Cookie company, called Double Doozies. YUM! Our way of celebrating! He said I couldn't touch them though until I finished. He came home as I was writing the last two sentences.
And then I was finished! FINISHED! I couldn't believe it! TEN YEARS of work, finally complete! I was so excited I almost cried! At long last, I am at peace with the sequel to Rise of the Synija.
It was a beautiful ending. Tragic, moving, and victorious all at once! For a time I'd had doubts about the ending. Life had discouraged me, and I felt that my books were insignificant. I contemplated ending the story with my second book, rather than having five books as I originally had wanted. If I'd done so it would have ended with my main characters defeating the villain, but becoming separated in the process. Then they would have wasted away, alone and miserable, until finally, when they could bear life no longer, they died of old age. What a horrible ending!
But that didn't happen. My characters didn't want it to. So I find myself proceeding with my plans for five books.
VALLEY OF THE DYING SUN IS FINISHED!
I wrote all day, stopping only to eat and use the bathroom. My husband prayed for me that morning, that I could have the words to finish my book. I didn't expect to finish that day, but suddenly the words just flowed out of my fingers, and I no longer felt as if I was writing my book, but was reading it! A hole opened up in my computer screen, through which I watched the last chapters of my book play out like a movie!
Suddenly I was on the last chapter. Chris (my husband) left to get these amazing cookies from Great American Cookie company, called Double Doozies. YUM! Our way of celebrating! He said I couldn't touch them though until I finished. He came home as I was writing the last two sentences.
And then I was finished! FINISHED! I couldn't believe it! TEN YEARS of work, finally complete! I was so excited I almost cried! At long last, I am at peace with the sequel to Rise of the Synija.
It was a beautiful ending. Tragic, moving, and victorious all at once! For a time I'd had doubts about the ending. Life had discouraged me, and I felt that my books were insignificant. I contemplated ending the story with my second book, rather than having five books as I originally had wanted. If I'd done so it would have ended with my main characters defeating the villain, but becoming separated in the process. Then they would have wasted away, alone and miserable, until finally, when they could bear life no longer, they died of old age. What a horrible ending!
But that didn't happen. My characters didn't want it to. So I find myself proceeding with my plans for five books.
VALLEY OF THE DYING SUN IS FINISHED!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Overcoming Writer's Block Plan Worked!
So last week I was hit with unexpected writer's block when my characters decided they wanted to do something other than follow the outline. So I took a day to relax, read, and try to get inspired. (See Unexpected Writer's Block post for more details on the plan.) It worked! At the end of the day I decided to take a simple yet effective route. I'm not going to spend an entire chapter on this one random, however important, scene. Sometimes simple is the best solution.
The plan to demolish writer's block was successful. Hopefully I won't have to test it again any time soon!
The plan to demolish writer's block was successful. Hopefully I won't have to test it again any time soon!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Unexpected Writer's Block
I'm trying to stay on schedule for finishing Valley of the Dying Sun in a week. But I've been struck by some unexpected writer's block. I had everything all planned out and ready to go, but Devyn and Elayna (my main characters) decided they wanted to do some side thing. So now I have to plan that out before I can get on with the story and I don't know what to say! It's a good scene though, and needs to be in the book.
So to tackle this sudden lapse in inspiration, I'm taking a break today to stimulate my mind. If you sit there and dwell on it and get frustrated you'll only hinder yourself. Over the years I've found that different things sort of "loosen up" your mind, and make it easy to solve the problems of writer's block.
Reading is probably the best way to open your mind, as it works the right and left sides of your brain at the same time. My writing always improves when I'm reading a good book. Playing a musical instrument also works both sides of the brain, as does (believe it or not) playing video games, or simple word games. (Hooray for all you gamers out there!) Watching a good movie that has to do with your genre will also help inspire you. I've also found that exercise helps. It gets the blood flowing to your brain so you don't feel that dull, lethargic feeling that can create writer's block. Being in or near water is a good place for inspiration as well.
Today I'm going to go swimming, read this book my husband said was good, exercise later on and go to a meditation class. (I'm experimenting with the meditation... we'll see if it helps.) Then tonight I'm going to watch Lord of the Rings or some other fantasy flick while I eat dinner with my hubby. I'm also going to make sure I eat good "brain food." If your body doesn't have the proper nutrition it needs, it makes it very hard for your brain to focus on anything but the fact the the body is STARVING. So make sure a healthy diet is part of your writing routine. (I know as authors we are all disturbed and inclined to have some self-destructive vice, but trust me. That won't help your writing at all!)
I'll let you know tomorrow how my plan of tackling this WB goes. Wish me luck!
So to tackle this sudden lapse in inspiration, I'm taking a break today to stimulate my mind. If you sit there and dwell on it and get frustrated you'll only hinder yourself. Over the years I've found that different things sort of "loosen up" your mind, and make it easy to solve the problems of writer's block.
Reading is probably the best way to open your mind, as it works the right and left sides of your brain at the same time. My writing always improves when I'm reading a good book. Playing a musical instrument also works both sides of the brain, as does (believe it or not) playing video games, or simple word games. (Hooray for all you gamers out there!) Watching a good movie that has to do with your genre will also help inspire you. I've also found that exercise helps. It gets the blood flowing to your brain so you don't feel that dull, lethargic feeling that can create writer's block. Being in or near water is a good place for inspiration as well.
Today I'm going to go swimming, read this book my husband said was good, exercise later on and go to a meditation class. (I'm experimenting with the meditation... we'll see if it helps.) Then tonight I'm going to watch Lord of the Rings or some other fantasy flick while I eat dinner with my hubby. I'm also going to make sure I eat good "brain food." If your body doesn't have the proper nutrition it needs, it makes it very hard for your brain to focus on anything but the fact the the body is STARVING. So make sure a healthy diet is part of your writing routine. (I know as authors we are all disturbed and inclined to have some self-destructive vice, but trust me. That won't help your writing at all!)
I'll let you know tomorrow how my plan of tackling this WB goes. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Outlining Book Three
So even though I haven't finished my second book, I've skipped ahead and outlined my third book. Not sure if this is a good idea... but I couldn't help it! I'm very fortunate to have a good job right now, and I'm able to stay relaxed and focused. There's nothing worse than having a big stressor in your life to make you not want to write. (No, stressor is not a word. But you know what I'm talking about!)
Yesterday I had some down time at work (I'm a care taker for an autistic boy) so I got some blank paper and a pen and went to town! Although I prefer writing my manuscript on my laptop, I like writing outlines by hand. It's less formal, so I can be free and sloppy while the ideas come to me. The outline was flowing gracefully, and then I realized that the good guys and the bad guys needed to have a showdown... and somebody had to win.
But I didn't want that to happen, because that would mean my story would be over! I still had material I wanted to use in the fourth book of the series, but there was really no point in having a fourth book if there was no bad guy... or good guys, if the bad guys won.
Frustrated, I turned to my trusted inspiration source: my husband. Without giving him too much detail and ruining the story (because he's my biggest fan) I told him my tragedy. He thought about it a moment, and then threw the most outrageous idea I've ever heard. I was like "That's crazy! But... I like it..."
So I started reading back through the first book, The Rise of the Synija, to see if this plan would work or not, and realized it was meant to be. Kinda scary how that works. It's almost as if the story has already happened, and I'm just discovering it, not creating it. I would have myself admitted, but I've talked with other authors who have experienced the same thing. Their characters have come to life and have taken over the story. You, as the author, must write it, but have no say so in the matter!
Today at work I finished my outline, and I LOVE it! So it's looks as though there will be five books after all! The outline is 5 1/2 pages hand written, with many doodles, scratch outs, and scrunched in sentences. But that's exactly how an outline is supposed to look!
Yesterday I had some down time at work (I'm a care taker for an autistic boy) so I got some blank paper and a pen and went to town! Although I prefer writing my manuscript on my laptop, I like writing outlines by hand. It's less formal, so I can be free and sloppy while the ideas come to me. The outline was flowing gracefully, and then I realized that the good guys and the bad guys needed to have a showdown... and somebody had to win.
But I didn't want that to happen, because that would mean my story would be over! I still had material I wanted to use in the fourth book of the series, but there was really no point in having a fourth book if there was no bad guy... or good guys, if the bad guys won.
Frustrated, I turned to my trusted inspiration source: my husband. Without giving him too much detail and ruining the story (because he's my biggest fan) I told him my tragedy. He thought about it a moment, and then threw the most outrageous idea I've ever heard. I was like "That's crazy! But... I like it..."
So I started reading back through the first book, The Rise of the Synija, to see if this plan would work or not, and realized it was meant to be. Kinda scary how that works. It's almost as if the story has already happened, and I'm just discovering it, not creating it. I would have myself admitted, but I've talked with other authors who have experienced the same thing. Their characters have come to life and have taken over the story. You, as the author, must write it, but have no say so in the matter!
Today at work I finished my outline, and I LOVE it! So it's looks as though there will be five books after all! The outline is 5 1/2 pages hand written, with many doodles, scratch outs, and scrunched in sentences. But that's exactly how an outline is supposed to look!
Five Steps to Completing A Novel (of any genre)
So many people get inspired for a cool character, scene, twist, or other element of a story, and with that they declare "I'm going to make this into a book!" That's great! But the problems arise when they write out the scene and then are slammed with major writer's block. They didn't think past that amazing scene, and assumed inspiration would "come to them." Maybe they get inspired a little more, but after a while they run out of ideas and don't know where the story is going, so they give up, dramatically throwing their manuscript across the room and declaring they are not a true author shall never write again!
The problem is not that these people are not born authors, but they simply don't know the steps to writing a novel, nor do they even know there are steps. Since I will be taking you readers with me in my journey through writing the third novel in my series, it's important for you to understand the steps. And hopefully I can help other writers understand where they are going wrong, and why they cannot seem to finish a book, or even a story.
Step 1: BRAINSTORM
Brainstorming is the fun, inspiration filled part, where you plan your characters, plot, and setting. Brainstorming is intrinsically linked to the second step, outlining. If you can't just sit down and have ideas flow to you, don't throw your manuscript across the room just yet! There is a formula for brainstorming.
Decide on a word, something that has to do with your story, and write it on a piece of paper and circle it. Then draw five lines off the circle, and make five bubbles at the end of each line. Within each bubble write down the first five words that come to your mind from the word. (You don't have to use exactly five. If you can think of more relevant words, write them down as well. Or if you can't think of five, at least try to have three.) From those five words, write the first three words that come to your mind from each of those, and so on.
While you are doing this exercise, it will help open your mind to new ideas. Even if you think something is silly, don't push it away. It may lead you to something else. It's a good idea to go somewhere that you can relax; take a walk, go for a swim, or just sit some place that you feel comfortable while you mull over your ideas.
Get to know your characters, setting, and plot. How old are your characters? What do they like to do? What do they not like to do? What are their strengths and weaknesses? What is their name? What is their quest? What is their favorite color? (Ten points to any who can tell me what that quote is from.) Draw pictures. Get to know everything about your characters and your world, even if the readers never know. It will help you out.
It's good to have a buffer, or a person who you can throw ideas at and get a response. Even if they know nothing of writing, another person still has a different point of view, and can throw an idea your way that you can turn into something else, but never would have had if they hadn't suggested it. I use my husband, and my book would be very bland if it weren't for his sudden inspiration moments. Okay, maybe not VERY bland... but it wouldn't be as good!
Step 2: OUTLINE
While all the steps are important, if I had to choose which step was the most important in ensuring the success of your novel, it would be outlining! I grew up writing stories, and never finished a single one until I decided to outline it. I thought you were suppose to be inspired along the way, but then I'd get stumped and not know what to do. Some people think it's fun to be "surprised" while they are writing, so they don't want to write an outline. You can still be surprised while you are outlining, and sometimes you will find that your characters decide they want a scene to go a certain way, even though you've planned otherwise!
I developed my own style of outlining while writing my first book, The Synija. After you know who your characters are, and have a good idea of where your story is going, you can begin to outline. Write your book start to finish. Start with writing out the main goals. "Jack and Jill went to fetch some water, and Jack breaks his crown." These are the main highlights. Then you can go back and fill in the gaps.
"Jack and Jill went up a hill to fetch some water, and then Jack falls down the hill and breaks his crown." You may not know starting off how Jack breaks his crown, or where they go to fetch the water, but once you write out the main goals do some more brainstorming until you can fill in the gaps.
Make your outline as detailed as possible. I have gone so far as to write out how many chapters there will be and what each is about. Of course, things sometimes change when you start writing your first draft, but you have to learn to be flexible.
Step 3. First Draft
Now you're ready to start writing! It's a marvelous feeling the first time your touch pen to page for the very first word of your new book! (Or touch fingers to keys for those of us who use computers!) You may find that you have a favorite way of writing, and you cannot write any other way! For instance, I have to write on my laptop, or else I absolutely don't know what to do. There have been times that the power has gone out, or I'm out of town, and people tell me to grab a notebook and a pen, but there's no way I can do that! For some authors, they have to write with a quill pen and ink bottle under candle light. Find what works for you and stick with it.
WRITE OUT YOUR ENTIRE STORY BEFORE YOU EDIT IT! This is the mistake I made when I began writing my second book. I wrote the first chapter, then went back and read it, then re-wrote it, then went back. I have about ten first chapters, and they are all trash! Now what do you suppose happened with the rest of my book while I was writing these first chapters? Absolutely nothing. If I had left chapter one alone, and written the rest of the book, THEN went back, it may not have taken me a decade to finish! You can't carve a statue and polish it at the same time.
Step 4. SECOND DRAFT
This is the part after you've finished the meat of your story, and you have something to work with. Here you go back and read your book, make the changes you want, and refine it to where you want it to be. Polish it as much as possible. Change that first chapter ten times if you need to, but I'll bet that if you have left it alone and have reached the end of your first draft, by the time you get back to it you will have decided on what you want. This is the add/delete/change phase.
Step 5. EDIT
My least favorite step, but still very necessary. Read your book again, and again. Use spell and grammar check. Have family members and friends read your book and give you feedback. Listen to them with an open mind, but if they tell you to change something that you don't want to change, then don't. Learn to take criticism, but stand up for your story, too. Your book will be better for it. And if someone flat out says "it sucks" add them as a character in your next book and have them brutally murdered with a wet noodle.
Once you've finished the steps, move on to your next work of art. Accept that your book will never be perfect, but it is still great. And pat yourself on the back! You just wrote a book!
The problem is not that these people are not born authors, but they simply don't know the steps to writing a novel, nor do they even know there are steps. Since I will be taking you readers with me in my journey through writing the third novel in my series, it's important for you to understand the steps. And hopefully I can help other writers understand where they are going wrong, and why they cannot seem to finish a book, or even a story.
Step 1: BRAINSTORM
Brainstorming is the fun, inspiration filled part, where you plan your characters, plot, and setting. Brainstorming is intrinsically linked to the second step, outlining. If you can't just sit down and have ideas flow to you, don't throw your manuscript across the room just yet! There is a formula for brainstorming.
Decide on a word, something that has to do with your story, and write it on a piece of paper and circle it. Then draw five lines off the circle, and make five bubbles at the end of each line. Within each bubble write down the first five words that come to your mind from the word. (You don't have to use exactly five. If you can think of more relevant words, write them down as well. Or if you can't think of five, at least try to have three.) From those five words, write the first three words that come to your mind from each of those, and so on.
While you are doing this exercise, it will help open your mind to new ideas. Even if you think something is silly, don't push it away. It may lead you to something else. It's a good idea to go somewhere that you can relax; take a walk, go for a swim, or just sit some place that you feel comfortable while you mull over your ideas.
Get to know your characters, setting, and plot. How old are your characters? What do they like to do? What do they not like to do? What are their strengths and weaknesses? What is their name? What is their quest? What is their favorite color? (Ten points to any who can tell me what that quote is from.) Draw pictures. Get to know everything about your characters and your world, even if the readers never know. It will help you out.
It's good to have a buffer, or a person who you can throw ideas at and get a response. Even if they know nothing of writing, another person still has a different point of view, and can throw an idea your way that you can turn into something else, but never would have had if they hadn't suggested it. I use my husband, and my book would be very bland if it weren't for his sudden inspiration moments. Okay, maybe not VERY bland... but it wouldn't be as good!
Step 2: OUTLINE
While all the steps are important, if I had to choose which step was the most important in ensuring the success of your novel, it would be outlining! I grew up writing stories, and never finished a single one until I decided to outline it. I thought you were suppose to be inspired along the way, but then I'd get stumped and not know what to do. Some people think it's fun to be "surprised" while they are writing, so they don't want to write an outline. You can still be surprised while you are outlining, and sometimes you will find that your characters decide they want a scene to go a certain way, even though you've planned otherwise!
I developed my own style of outlining while writing my first book, The Synija. After you know who your characters are, and have a good idea of where your story is going, you can begin to outline. Write your book start to finish. Start with writing out the main goals. "Jack and Jill went to fetch some water, and Jack breaks his crown." These are the main highlights. Then you can go back and fill in the gaps.
"Jack and Jill went up a hill to fetch some water, and then Jack falls down the hill and breaks his crown." You may not know starting off how Jack breaks his crown, or where they go to fetch the water, but once you write out the main goals do some more brainstorming until you can fill in the gaps.
Make your outline as detailed as possible. I have gone so far as to write out how many chapters there will be and what each is about. Of course, things sometimes change when you start writing your first draft, but you have to learn to be flexible.
Step 3. First Draft
Now you're ready to start writing! It's a marvelous feeling the first time your touch pen to page for the very first word of your new book! (Or touch fingers to keys for those of us who use computers!) You may find that you have a favorite way of writing, and you cannot write any other way! For instance, I have to write on my laptop, or else I absolutely don't know what to do. There have been times that the power has gone out, or I'm out of town, and people tell me to grab a notebook and a pen, but there's no way I can do that! For some authors, they have to write with a quill pen and ink bottle under candle light. Find what works for you and stick with it.
WRITE OUT YOUR ENTIRE STORY BEFORE YOU EDIT IT! This is the mistake I made when I began writing my second book. I wrote the first chapter, then went back and read it, then re-wrote it, then went back. I have about ten first chapters, and they are all trash! Now what do you suppose happened with the rest of my book while I was writing these first chapters? Absolutely nothing. If I had left chapter one alone, and written the rest of the book, THEN went back, it may not have taken me a decade to finish! You can't carve a statue and polish it at the same time.
Step 4. SECOND DRAFT
This is the part after you've finished the meat of your story, and you have something to work with. Here you go back and read your book, make the changes you want, and refine it to where you want it to be. Polish it as much as possible. Change that first chapter ten times if you need to, but I'll bet that if you have left it alone and have reached the end of your first draft, by the time you get back to it you will have decided on what you want. This is the add/delete/change phase.
Step 5. EDIT
My least favorite step, but still very necessary. Read your book again, and again. Use spell and grammar check. Have family members and friends read your book and give you feedback. Listen to them with an open mind, but if they tell you to change something that you don't want to change, then don't. Learn to take criticism, but stand up for your story, too. Your book will be better for it. And if someone flat out says "it sucks" add them as a character in your next book and have them brutally murdered with a wet noodle.
Once you've finished the steps, move on to your next work of art. Accept that your book will never be perfect, but it is still great. And pat yourself on the back! You just wrote a book!
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