Half the Fun
Half the Fun
My critique partner, Stacey, has just typed 'The End' on the first draft of her current work-in-progress. Knowing Stacey, I'm sure she's in a state of euphoria and breathing easy before she tackles the second draft. But as rewarding as it is to have finally finished the first draft, half the fun in getting to the end is the road your characters take you down.
I usually begin a novel having a small inkling of what I'd like the story to be about. Sometimes, I have scenes playing out in the back of my mind or an exchange of dialogue between characters that I write in a notebook so I don't forget. Some of this may or may not end up in the book. If it does, chances are my original thoughts have been altered, because the characters have taken over the story and made it their own. They guide me in directions I hadn't previously thought of. This can be frustrating, but more times than not, it's interesting and the story is much better when the characters take the lead.
My soon to be released, No Luck At All, was exactly like this. Originally, I intended for the bulk of the story to center around the hero. I wrote it that way many years ago, but when I went back to the story to begin rewrites, the heroine took over. Even if she wasn't in a scene, her presence was still there and that made the story all the better. The same sort of happened in my current WIP. While the hero and heroine share the story, the original premise of them trading barbs and disliking each other changed right from the get-go. In a desolate, nowhere town, they needed each other more than they had reason to argue.
Let your characters speak to you. Give them control and see where they take you. I bet you end up in places you never dreamed of. Places that will strengthen your story and make it all the more fun in reaching the last line.
And a Big Congratulations to Stacey for typing 'The End'. This latest work is sure to be a keeper on book shelves of romance fans everywhere.
My critique partner, Stacey, has just typed 'The End' on the first draft of her current work-in-progress. Knowing Stacey, I'm sure she's in a state of euphoria and breathing easy before she tackles the second draft. But as rewarding as it is to have finally finished the first draft, half the fun in getting to the end is the road your characters take you down.
I usually begin a novel having a small inkling of what I'd like the story to be about. Sometimes, I have scenes playing out in the back of my mind or an exchange of dialogue between characters that I write in a notebook so I don't forget. Some of this may or may not end up in the book. If it does, chances are my original thoughts have been altered, because the characters have taken over the story and made it their own. They guide me in directions I hadn't previously thought of. This can be frustrating, but more times than not, it's interesting and the story is much better when the characters take the lead.
My soon to be released, No Luck At All, was exactly like this. Originally, I intended for the bulk of the story to center around the hero. I wrote it that way many years ago, but when I went back to the story to begin rewrites, the heroine took over. Even if she wasn't in a scene, her presence was still there and that made the story all the better. The same sort of happened in my current WIP. While the hero and heroine share the story, the original premise of them trading barbs and disliking each other changed right from the get-go. In a desolate, nowhere town, they needed each other more than they had reason to argue.
Let your characters speak to you. Give them control and see where they take you. I bet you end up in places you never dreamed of. Places that will strengthen your story and make it all the more fun in reaching the last line.
And a Big Congratulations to Stacey for typing 'The End'. This latest work is sure to be a keeper on book shelves of romance fans everywhere.
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