Writing Tip–You’re Not Done When You Think You’re Done

September 14, 2009 by Chris · Comments Off
Filed under: Lessons Learned, Writing Tip

I scaled a major hurdle with the completion of my rough draft. If I can say anything, at least I can say that I can write a book. I can plot it, populate it with characters, and present a problem with its solution. In my mind, that’s a huge feat.

I am in the process of submitting my book to agents. Having the book completed puts me at some advantage in that I’m not scrambling to complete a work if I’m called to duty. It’s done. I have a new goal now.

Just because I’m done with it doesn’t mean I’m done. There’s the next important task–starting on the next one. Fortunately, I have a good idea with an interesting plot twist. I know my selected setting well.

To guide my next project, I’m using a book that I found extremely helpful the first go-around, Hallie Ephron’s, “Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel.” I admit: I’m still new at this. I need the direction that this book provides. The direction is good too. It encourages the writer to consider the background and backstory of the characters and settings. It raises the questions we may not know to ask and gives us fodder that will percolate in our subconscious when writing. It is an invaluable tool.

The task of creating a new novel is daunting. I’ve struggled to remember how I got to this place. With Ephron’s kind guidance, my next book will become a reality.

Hallie Ephron’s, “Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel.”

Writing Tip Youre Not Done When You Think Youre Done

Tags: outline, plot

Making the Writing Easier

October 15, 2007 by Chris · Comments Off
Filed under: Lessons Learned

I have used several tools to help me organize my work. Using Robert Ray and Jack Remick’s The Weekend Novelist Writes A Mystery, I followed their advice of using index cards to organize my plot. Maybe a bit dated in this computer age, but I did find that moving a scene to here or there very easy. This was important for me to establish my acts, the dramatic events and the general sequence of events. More than once I flipped back and forth with my choices.

From index cards, I built a spreadsheet. Frankly, the printed word from my laser printer is a lot neater than my own writing. I created a line of main headings: Scene, Time, Characters, POV (point of view), Place, and Description. And since this is a mystery, I also wanted to keep track of what my sleuth was learning in each scene and who was he suspecting at different points in the book. I identified that main plot points and the acts. Subplots I highlighted.

For me, outlining worked. Not everyone works that way. Some prefer to immerse themselves in the creative process and follow in its path. For me, spending weeks developing my characters, plotting my mystery in the end made the writing easier. My book had direction. Next time, useful software.

Tags: mystery, outline, plot, writing

Editing My Rough Draft

October 15, 2007 by Chris · 1 Comment
Filed under: Lessons Learned

If I can’t say anything else, I can say that I’ve written my book. I completed my rough draft. Overall, the writing came easy. A couple of books were a tremendous help. Robert Ray and Jack Remick’s The Weekend Novelist Writes A Mystery provided a framework with which to plan your own work. Using Agatha Christie’s ,”A Body in the Library”, as a model, the book gave relevant exercises for you to use.

However, if you’re looking for more of a book that will “hold your hand” through the process, then Halllie Ephron’s Writing & Selling Your Mystery Novel: How To Knock ‘Em Dead With Style may be more what you’d prefer. The section on character development is outstanding. You’ll know your characters well after completing the series of exercises.

Now that I’ve completed the draft, I am in the process of revising. I have to admit being intimidated by the fact that my finished product was far short of the usual word count. I struggled with how I would be able to fill out my mystery without it seeming like fluff. Much to my surprise, by getting to know my characters better, it’s coming easier than I thought. One thing I did was to find images for my characters. Having a face to associate with a name made bringing the characters to life easier, more enjoyable.

Next time, time saver and plotting devices I used.

Tags: draft, exercises, mystery, outline, write