When I started writing 'Let's Do Lunch,' ten years ago, I had nice characters, pieces of plot and sub-plots that were very engaging – but after 50 pages the story went nowhere. I had a dutiful daughter, a shy gardener, a snarky sister, a sneaky waitress and a lecherous cook. Certain scenes hinted that the gardener had a crush on Lindsey. Others hinted that the cook was up to no good.
Then I had the 'outline' epiphany at our face-to-face writer's group Bard's Corner. I ran down some 'if/then' statements on the spot. What if the cook was the real villain? What if the waitress had two kids to raise. What if they were moving dope, not just stealing? What if the shy gardener was just back from Iraq – wounded and shell-shocked.
From there I created motives, conflicts and back-story for every character. I also made the commitment to one point of view character – this was Lindsey's story.
The next step was a timeline – I picked Derby Day as the start date – the story would end on July 4th. Everything that was going to happen would take place in eight weeks. I figured my villains couldn't hold on much longer than that. Eight weeks on speed would burn anybody out.
After that, writing was easy.
As I got closer to the end of the first book – I started working on the second. I had a bunch of ideas from the Breakout Novel books and a book on character archetypes & the Three Act structure.
Since I was better educated, I outlined the plot, created the calendar, typed up a few sample scenes. I was ready for NaNoWritMo – though I didn't bother to sign up. I had 25k words by the end of the month because I knew where this story was going, and how to get it there.
The result is 'Swallow the Moon' a paranormal romance, now in its second draft. While the book is short – I think that it will be a publishable length at 55k words.
For the 3rd book 'Tempest in a Teapot' I'm putting each plot-point on an index card. I have two parallel plot lines (his and hers) that need to mesh. There are two Point of View characters – Wendy and Leo – with all kinds of plots and counter plots swirling around them. This story will also get a calendar so I can keep the plot moving.
Why go to all this trouble?
All my research into publishing has shown me that selling one book, or even three, isn't going to cut it. I have to be able to market myself as an author. I have the base of a platform to grow over time. Each book will add to the base, as the structure of the outline builds the plot.
The question is do I want to jump into the cold pond of self-publishing or try the safer route one more time?
It really sucks to stand on the edge of the dock.
But, dude that water is cold!
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A Very Old Memory
After school at West Junior High I took the bus to West 5th Street. I checked in at the Leeward, where Opal was working behind the bar, ta...
6 comments:
Loved your analogy about the water! Very fitting. I'm glad to see you're writing a book with only one viewpoint - that is a topic I've been pondering lately. I feel like the lone ranger with a single POV in mine.
Glad you liked it.
PoV has been the subject of several rants - I'll see if I can find the link to one.
http://jordanscroft.blogspot.com/2009/03/argument-against-multiple-points-of.html
Here's a link for when you need a laugh.
http://jordanscroft.blogspot.com/2008/11/trouble-keeps-up-his-cred.html
Later!
"I have the base of a platform to grow over time. Each book will add to the base, as the structure of the outline builds the plot."
If you keep that in mind, you have the tools to do it either way. Too many writers see the thing as writing a book and selling it. It's not. It's about where you are 10 books from now. It's about a career :)
Thanks Dan!
On another site someone recoiled in horror at the time I spend online. But if I were working for someone, I'd be online 8 to 10 hours a day for them. Why not spend 3 hours a day for myself? (G)
I can really relate to what you're saying here. I just finished the first draft of my third book in my series The Locket Saga but I'm still working on selling book #1 which I call When God Turned His Head. I use multiple POV but mostly the POV is from the heroine and the hero's POV. I spent quite a bit of time online too but you have to if you're going to get your name out there. It really does take time.
Exactly - take a look at what Dan Holloway is doing to get his work out there.
Of course, he's in a city (London I think), and we are in rural areas, so it is slower.
Still, I think it's worth the effort to have the platform.
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