Linsey Lanier
Sally Kilpatrick
Sia Huff
Romily Bernard
Darcy Crowder
Marilyn Baron
Tami Brothers
Sandra Elzie
Carol Burnside
Debbie Kaufman
Maxine Davis
Tammy Schubert
Susan Carlisle
Pam Asberry
Lindy Chaffin StartLet Your Ego Fly
Ana Aragón
This month’s topic is the craft of writing. What am I good at? What do I struggle with? There are some times when the answers to those questions would be, “Nothing.” “Everything.”
Each of us who has taken up the quill in hopes of publication goes through periods when it seems that everything we write is, for lack of a better word today…crap.
So what’s up with that? It’s the rare writer who can’t come up with a great plot idea. Spend any time in a room full of writers and they’ll talk your ear off about their latest story idea. That’s why we decided to pursue this goal. We’re good readers and know a good story when we hear one.
In my process, I typically start out with a “high-concept” premise (shorthand for putting two diametrically-opposed movies together and calling it a story.) Just kidding. But depending on the genre of writing, commercial writers like me come up with a fantastic story line destined to make the top of the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists. (If not me, then who? Nora Roberts?)
I semi-plot out some scenes I have in mind that will take me to the “black moment” when all seems lost. I usually already know how I want the story to end (happily ever after, of course), but know that the “pantser” in me (my characters have a will of their own) will probably dictate that the ending could be different. I’m okay with that.
Then I take a look at the goal, motivation and conflict for each of the characters and between them. Who are they? What makes them tick? What do they want and why can’t they get it? Do they have any personal “quirks” or idiosyncrasies?
Finally, I write my synopsis, give it to critique partners, friends, my husband…anyone willing to give me some feedback on the story. Is it a good premise? What about the conflict? Good enough? After all, no one wants to start a book if it’s flawed to begin with, right?
Check, check, check.
This then comes to the crucial part of the process. Sitting my butt in the chair and starting. Yup, that’s my nemesis. I don’t have writer’s block. How could I? The story is THERE, waiting for me to tell it. But I can find a thousand little ways of keeping my focus on other things than writing that story.
Liz Strauss says “writers are a paradox of ego and self-doubt.” So true. A writer is always in the process of becoming a better writer. There is always room for improvement, so in our twisted way of looking at it we actually believe where we are in the process can’t possibly be good enough. Make sense?
The truly successful, in my opinion, are able to transcend that self-doubt to let their ego fly. After all, it’s not the words…it’s the story. Tell the story as if there were no tomorrow, using the words you have now, today. Listen to the dialogue in your head, allowing your characters to come alive by the words they say and how they say them. Let the story take precedence and the words will come. Unlock the story from your mind and give the story a chance.
Will it be good enough? Who knows. The editing is every bit as important as the first draft. But what I do know is that if it’s still locked in my mind and not on paper, the answer is a definite “no.”
Thoughts?
Tags: Ana Aragon, conflict, fiction writing, romance, romance writing, writing craft
About the author
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Anna Doll | Anna Doll is busy at work on her third novel--a romantic suspense set in New Mexico and Washington, D.C. The story has been percolating ever since she spent four years as a Senate staffer on Capitol Hill during the Watergate era. At the age of 12.
And you thought Monica Lewinsky was an anomaly? Hah! Not even close.
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March 1st, 2010 at 7:06 am
Ana,
Great! Humm, let me think. I’m with you pretty much on the process…since I’m a “pantser” also…but I usually don’t get serious about how the story will get to the end…or maybe WHERE the story will end, until after the first 4-5 chapters. I was writing a romance once and in chapter 3 I decided it would make a good fantasy if I just changed a few things…and WHERE, what world, the lovers ended up in to live Happily Ever After.
Good luck on the current book…look forward to reading it.
Sandy
March 1st, 2010 at 7:16 am
You are very organized to be a panster. My first story, I fell in love with the characters and thought that they just belonged together. When I got to the end, I realized that I hadn’t given them anything to overcome. I had to go back and add a conflict. I think from now on, I’ll take your example and try to plan out at least a little of the story before I get the keyboard out and let the characters take over.
Thanks for sharing your process.
March 1st, 2010 at 7:34 am
Ana,
I’m with Tammy. You’re a pantser and you write the synopsis before writing the story?
I do like your advice. I need to do more upfront planning before I
“tell the story like there was no tomorrow.”
But then there are those thousand little ways of keeping your focus on other things.
Hmm.
Great post.
Marilyn Baron
March 1st, 2010 at 8:31 am
Okay, so these words of yours (the crucial part of the process. Sitting my butt in the chair and starting. Yup, that’s my nemesis. I don’t have writer’s block. How could I? The story is THERE, waiting for me to tell it. But I can find a thousand little ways of keeping my focus on other things than writing that story.) Resonated in me like a perfectly tuned piano. You described me to a T. I never have writers block…ever. If I’m able to sit my ass in that chair, I can always write. It’s the sitting that’s the issue.
But I’m sitting today. I turned off the Tv…have my coffee…the house is blissfully quiet.
It’s time to write!
Excellent post Ana!
Have a productive, butt in the chair day.
Tamara
March 1st, 2010 at 9:37 am
My downfall is always putting the words on the page. The story plays like a movie in my head and I know every beat, every hill, every valley – I just cannot sit still well.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:12 am
Excellent post, Anna. Just what I needed to hear write now. I like your take on this paradox we’re all caught in. A couple of keepers to go in my files:
“The truly successful, in my opinion, are able to transcend that self-doubt to let their ego fly.”
“Will it be good enough? Who knows.” Who knows, indeed. That simple thought will get me out of my slump.
Thanks!
March 1st, 2010 at 11:32 am
I love your post, Ana. Wonderful words of wisdom! This particularly resonated with me – “The truly successful, in my opinion, are able to transcend that self-doubt to let their ego fly. After all, it’s not the words…it’s the story. Tell the story as if there were no tomorrow, using the words you have now, today.” This is a keeper! Thanks for the inspiration.
March 1st, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Great post, Ana! Very telling and very much something I connect with. My biggest obstacle right now is placing that butt in the seat and keeping my computer off oc the Internet. BUT with so much stuff needing to be done… I know, excuses are like….
Thanks for a really great look into your process!
Tami
March 1st, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Sandy,
Funny that you are a pantser, too! I’ve found that my pantser tendencies have morphed since being published. Especially needing a synoposis up front. That helps keep me focused. Thanks for stopping by!
March 1st, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Hi, Tammy,
I found after taking several classes that a combination is better for me. I won’t start anything before I plan out at least the major plot points in the story and get to know my characters. I’m still a little loose on the characterization at that point, but I know basically who they are. Writing the synopsis helps me find the holes in the story. In my first book, I had to cut out the prologue and first three chapters. That killed me! But I realized that all that “pre-work” was just trying to get to know my characters. The story started much later. So now I spend that time getting to know my characters and coming up with a good story line before I even sit down. Then there’s no excuse! Thanks for stopping by!
March 1st, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Marilyn,
I still call myself a pantser because I really allow the characters to take over the story. I’m okay if the story changes somewhat, based on what’s happening as I write. I don’t write scenes out of sequence because then I wouldn’t be able to let the story take over. Side plots, the first kiss, any subsequent “hot” scenes…those are all by the seat of my pants. But getting to the black moment at a particular time…unless there is a compelling reason, I usually don’t deviate. Thanks for your sweet comments!
March 1st, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Tamara,
I would guess that your problem is similar to mine. For me, I think it’s the fear that it isn’t going to be good enough. I know well enough what is good…spectacular, in fact. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to my writing. Not that it’s ever perfect, mind you. But I have the image of this wonderful, sweeping story and I have to put one word down after the other to make it come alive. That’s a lot of pressure!
Thanks so much for your kind words!
March 1st, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Michelle,
I cannot believe you are lost for words, but I can believe that every little nuance plays in your head! Heads up, people…Michelle’s post this week is absolutely awesome!
March 1st, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Linsey,
Glad some of this resonates with you and that you got something from my meager thoughts! That ego thing is what keeps me going! Thanks for stopping by.
March 1st, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Oh, Darcy,
You always have such wonderful wisdom! Thanks so much for your kind words!
March 1st, 2010 at 5:37 pm
Hey, Tami,
Thanks for stopping by! With all you are doing, I’m surprised you have any time at all for your own writing. You have to be the poster child for multi-tasking! I’m glad that you could connect with it. If you figure out a way how to keep your butt in that chair, please let me know!
March 1st, 2010 at 6:50 pm
Ana,
You’re right, without the words on the paper there’s never really go to ever be a published work. We all have to find our process. I’m still looking, but I’m closer than I used to be.
March 1st, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Susan,
Thanks for stopping by! You’re right that everyone’s process is different, but in the end we still need to find a way to put those words down on paper. Each book you write gets you closer to that magical process!
March 1st, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Great insight.
Since we have had the opportunity to sit down and write together, I have gotten a glimpse of your writing process. You have the gift of talking your way around, under, through stumbling blocks and discovering the solution on your own. I urge others to try talking their way through blocks. It has definitely helped me. Thanks, Ana.
March 1st, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Tammy,
Thanks! You’ve been great at helping me work through my plotting even as you sit and write your own! It has made my first draft so much easier. I don’t know what I would do without people like you! Thanks for stopping by…I know you’re swamped with work and your thesis!
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Sorry I’m late to the party–Monday is my work day, i.e. another day I have trouble getting words on paper. I think you’re absolutely right about how being a writer is a combination of doubt and ego. We all have something we’re just bursting at the seams to say and we just know that it’s clever and wonderful. Somewhere in the process, though, we aren’t as enamored of the idea any more because doubt sets in. You’re right: butts in chairs, heads in clouds.
March 2nd, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Thanks, Sally! I hope the post got you motivated to keep your butt in the chair! Now back to writing….
March 3rd, 2010 at 11:59 am
I kinda do your brand of pantsing too, Ana. Gotta go do some of that BIC stuff today – a lot, actually.
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Ego and self-doubt. LOL. If that doesn’t sum it up for writers, I don’t know what does. Great blog. Sorry I’m late reading. Computer woes.
March 3rd, 2010 at 9:37 pm
“Listen to the dialogue in your head, allowing your characters to come alive by the words they say and how they say them. Let the story take precedence and the words will come. Unlock the story from your mind and give the story a chance.”
We needed to hear that twice. Nice job.