Book Schtuff
Owie. My neck hurts. I slept crooked the other night and ever since...owie.
But pain's not standing in my way, oh no. Today I'm working on that Wonderland outline and, surprise! I'm really liking what I see. Hopefully after a few more tweaks it'll be fit for my fabulous agent's eyes. I really hate outlines and have questioned my sanity several times over since I offered to write one. From now on, I think I'll just write the book first--200 pages are so much easier than 17.
Why? Because in 200, I can fly by the seat of my pants, listen to my characters, be surprised, not focus. It's a lalalalala approach (until revisions, anyway). But with 17, I have to think and focus and question and it's much more like actual work. Ew. So...no more outlines. Let me rephrase that: no more outlines unless my fabulous agent or amazing editor want an outline. Then, I'm happy to write one. (Well, not really, but shh!)
Plus! I came up with the most amazing idea for a new book. But...I'm not telling anyone until I talk to my agent about it (well, okay, so hubby and CP know), so I don't jinx it (okay, so I'll likely tell my sister too--but that's it, I swear!). Huh. I just realized that I can't tell anyone that hasn't read Ninth Grade Sucks. Bummer.
Ah well. Off to Wonderland!
But pain's not standing in my way, oh no. Today I'm working on that Wonderland outline and, surprise! I'm really liking what I see. Hopefully after a few more tweaks it'll be fit for my fabulous agent's eyes. I really hate outlines and have questioned my sanity several times over since I offered to write one. From now on, I think I'll just write the book first--200 pages are so much easier than 17.
Why? Because in 200, I can fly by the seat of my pants, listen to my characters, be surprised, not focus. It's a lalalalala approach (until revisions, anyway). But with 17, I have to think and focus and question and it's much more like actual work. Ew. So...no more outlines. Let me rephrase that: no more outlines unless my fabulous agent or amazing editor want an outline. Then, I'm happy to write one. (Well, not really, but shh!)
Plus! I came up with the most amazing idea for a new book. But...I'm not telling anyone until I talk to my agent about it (well, okay, so hubby and CP know), so I don't jinx it (okay, so I'll likely tell my sister too--but that's it, I swear!). Huh. I just realized that I can't tell anyone that hasn't read Ninth Grade Sucks. Bummer.
Ah well. Off to Wonderland!
posted by Heather Brewer at 7:09 AM
7 Comments:
I learned over the last two years that I have a HARD time trying to write from an outline. I do far better when I allow my characters to surprise me. Now, that's not saying I won't try the outline method again. But, I'm noticing that even in my non-fiction projects, the outline is just getting in my darn way.
Hell, even trying to write a synopsis is frustrating!!!! :)
Ugh. Synopses. I hate those too.
And I do so much better letting my characters lead me. Lesson learned.
I have outlined both my WIPs, and both times they went far afield from the outline.
I haven't tried a synopsis yet... yet. From everything i hear it should be much more painful than an outline.
OK, back to edits and nail-biting.
Synopses *shudder* Run, Ewoh! RUN!!!
*ahem* I mean, they're something every writer should try.
Synopses are proof of all things evil. Speaking as one thoroughly enmeshed in Hell, believe me, I know.
Did you get the goahead on Wonderland then? I must've missed a news bulletin... so happy for you. I know how excited you were about it!
Thanks, Martha! Yep, the big concern was its tie-in to an asylum, but I've since changed Alice's location and the title, so yay!!! (BEYOND THE LOOKING GLASS) Back to Wonderland with me!
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