The Art of Chaos

Chaos is an artform.

Any writer out there who doesn't plot, or plan ahead will tell you chaos usually reigns supreme when they write.

I don't plot (much), so I'm very familiar with chaos. Be it in my head, or the various notes I make along the way.

Chaos tends to be destructive, unless you harness the energy and turn it into something constructive instead. It's doable, but it takes work.

When I say chaos, what I mean is the not knowing what a character will do next. Where the story is going. Being wary of what kind of bomb your muse will drop when you least expect it.

I love writing like that. It keeps me on my toes, and keeps the story fresh and interesting for me. I will jump back and forth, scenes popping into my head, conversations, descriptions. Most of the time I jot down notes, nothing more, but occasionally I'll have a scene I need to write down in full.

Later on I'll fit it in, along with any other stuff coming from the chaos in my mind. Sometimes it works, most times it doesn't.

Sometimes, what seems brilliant when it first comes to you, doesn't fit the story by the time you get to the point of using a scene. Don't be tempted to force it in. If it doesn't fit smoothly, then it'll jolt the reader, and it'll be better not to use it.

Be as chaotic as you like, but in the end, make sure you create order from all that wild disorder. Get control, be that by plotting or by writing a synopsis. (I found a synopsis is a good way of finding out where you went off on a tangent, or if you have a "Saggy middle".)

All in all, a little chaos is good for you — as long as you eventually end up in charge.