Back to the Drawing Board

I was halfway through writing SUNFLOWER when I decided that since no agents/editors asked for anything after the full manuscripts were sent to them, there's obviously something wrong. I don't think it's my writing; I think it's my story structure. So, I decided I either need a developmental editor or a course in writing novels (even though I've been doing it for years!). I chose the latter, and for the past couple of months, I've been working on a NEW novel based on a recent trip to Thailand.

I have to say that this course (called The Author Salon/6 Act, 2-Goal Novel structure) is forcing me to slow down and completely map out the novel before I dive into it. I'm used to having a brief outline and changing it as I write, but this is feeling to me like the cart is before the horse. I worry that I won't have any steam left when it's time to start the actual writing, but one thing's for sure: I will know my characters and my plot inside and out. I just want to be sure they are given the leeway to act in a way that's unexpected.

I'm going to move forward and see what happens. It's perfect timing to be in this course because my life is quieter. Once college classes start up again, I'll be much busier, and my mind will be filled with a lot of crap that pushes out the creativity I need.

In the meantime, soldiering on!