Saturday, July 22, 2006
Blockage
I have a story idea... And it's all in my head but I'm not sure where to start writing.Here's the thing: it's basically a mystery. I have a plot, a conspiracy to commit tax fraud and funnel pork into three unscrupulous pairs of hands. They share a connection to each other, but are keeping the connection secret in order to indulge in a little old-fashioned corruption. It's all about the Benjamins for them, but then they get scared, go a little too far, and someone who may or may not have been investigating them gets murdered. It's "ripped from the headlines", as they say.
Unknowingly, a cynical semi-innocent guy finds out about the murder, and because of his background, starts turning over rocks to see what he can find out... and eventually uncovers the whole plot and brings it to light.
That's the short version. Right now, I'm trying to decide if I should outline the plot and the characters involved first, then start writing at the point where the hero of the story first gets involved.
Or should I outline all the characters first, on both sides (pro- and an-tagonists)?
Or should I just start outlining the whole thing, and then once it's all down in skeleton form, pick the best place to start writing and consider the rest "background", to be filled in in detail as I need it?
Or should I screw all the planning and just start writing scenes and then string them together later when I've got some narrative flow going?
Every time I sit down to start one approach, I get so far, then start over-thinking like crazy and scrap it to go back and try one of the other approaches.
Dammit. I hate being all non-decide-y.
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Okay... Good options there, my friend, yet there is only one good, qualified answer.
You must start outlining the whole thing. This includes a background history for each character, no matter how small and pointless you might think. Let them get into your head - all of it, from the food they most enjoy, to the regrets, to their worst fear, to their happy place, and the day they finally set out on their own. And do not let character fall by the way side, as each will be (in your head) an integral piece of the entire story-pie! None of these little nuances or idiosyncrasies may ever show up within your novel either - as these little secret nuggets are only for you to enjoy, as the rest of us -- the readers -- will see what the story provides.
For really, my gifted writer friend, with all which you will write, the story is already known! One or two of these people came to you, asking if you could write it for them. And consequently, when you've listened to these souls pouring forth everything they have, and you've fiercely written the outline, as well as the history of all these characters, as well as have "traveled" the to each advised location, smelling the aroma and feeling the ambiance of it all, it will become obvious as to where the beginning of the story lies, and where the thrust will go.
You are merely the writer, Brian. It will take an uncanny skill to listen to all of them, and have the patience to muddle through a lot of 'nonsense' before the original idea you have running in your noggin, will make perfect sense. Those characters believe in you! (And we believe in you to take that time and write it down!) Why else have these characters come to you?
You must start outlining the whole thing. This includes a background history for each character, no matter how small and pointless you might think. Let them get into your head - all of it, from the food they most enjoy, to the regrets, to their worst fear, to their happy place, and the day they finally set out on their own. And do not let character fall by the way side, as each will be (in your head) an integral piece of the entire story-pie! None of these little nuances or idiosyncrasies may ever show up within your novel either - as these little secret nuggets are only for you to enjoy, as the rest of us -- the readers -- will see what the story provides.
For really, my gifted writer friend, with all which you will write, the story is already known! One or two of these people came to you, asking if you could write it for them. And consequently, when you've listened to these souls pouring forth everything they have, and you've fiercely written the outline, as well as the history of all these characters, as well as have "traveled" the to each advised location, smelling the aroma and feeling the ambiance of it all, it will become obvious as to where the beginning of the story lies, and where the thrust will go.
You are merely the writer, Brian. It will take an uncanny skill to listen to all of them, and have the patience to muddle through a lot of 'nonsense' before the original idea you have running in your noggin, will make perfect sense. Those characters believe in you! (And we believe in you to take that time and write it down!) Why else have these characters come to you?
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