I know I said I was going to answer another reader question today, but I just had to tell you that started to happen last night while I was writing.
I started Chapter 6 of
Bewitched & Betrayed yesterday, and I've written half of the chapter already. Admittedly, chapters where Raine gets in Carnades's face (or Sarad Nukpana's) are a quick write for me. There's something that's just plain
fun about letting Raine get in someone's face, cut loose, and let the snark fly.
Though that's not why I'm now beginning to believe that writing without a plot ain't so bad after all. Yes, there's the scariness of the unknown, and staring down the barrel of a tight deadline, but working without a plot doesn't restrict you to a set sequence of events. Things are happening that I never imagined. And if I'd had sat down and forced myself to write a complete plot, all this character coolness might not have happened. Or it might have. I don't know. And you know, it doesn't matter. ; )
I figure if Raine doesn't know what's going to happen next, why should I? That being said, it's good to know the ending, or at least have an idea of where I'm going. And it's nice to have a couple of my big scenes planned (which I do). But what I do between those scenes is completely up to me and my characters. I've turned them loose and they're surprising me -- and it's awesome.
Though I know that the same thing I thought was so cool last night will be cause of stress on another night. But I think I'm learning to enjoy it more. Who knows? One of these days, I might actually
enjoy writing a first draft. Hey, it could happen. ; )
Tomorrow I'll answer a reader's question; I promise.
Lisa
Okay, I have a
complete case of office envy.
Check out Mark Van Name's post from Sunday with pics of his office. I don't care how messy he says it is -- I want those bookshelves! And the inflatable 6-foot Godzilla by the door is uber-cool, too. (I only have Godzilla in the 1-foot tall and 6-inch short versions. So yeah, I've got Godzilla envy, too). ; )
L.
7 Comments:
Godzilla envy, huh? Whenever I hear some mention the Big Green Guy, I have tell them about the coolest Godzilla swag ever. Over 20 years ago I bought a Godzilla cigarette lighter. You flicked the back scales, and flame came out of his mouth. Sadly, I lost the lighter to the 1991 Andover tornado.
Now THAT's cool! I once almost bought some bedroom shoes called "Tyrano-Toes" which looked like Godzilla feet for people, and they made the most awesome Godzilla stomping sounds. I couldn't have them now -- they'd terrify my greyhounds.
That's wonderful, Lisa! I'm so happy for you!
And am extremely intrigued about the surprise - I wish I didn't have to wait.
oh well, TTWD will be out in a bit... (seems like such a long time)
I am completely envious of those shelves - I'd actually have room for all my books!
Cool cigarette lighter, slippers, and sorry you don't have the big Godzilla.
Thank you!
I don't think it's possible to have too many bookshelves. ; )
*whistles* Woo-ee that's a lotta bookcases! I can totally understand your envy there, esp since my 'office' is my house, being a tiny 2-bedroom unit which is packed to the rafters o.O Heh :D
I'm thinking maybe it's easier to write without a plot now since you know the characters so well? I tend to find (in my very limited experience!) that if the characters are strong, the plot more often takes care of itself that if the characters are too thin or undeveloped.
Either way, hoorah! There is hope of enjoying a first draft yet! :D
Thank you! Yep, it's taken me three books and some of the fourth, but I'm finally REALLY getting to know Tam and Mychael. It's fun. ; )
Plot? PLot? It's better for my work if I don't write plot down. But I like it when you have that clicking moment with characters. I'm finding talking to them really helps me understand them better. When they deign to talk back :)
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