Staying on track by keeping track
I finished Chapter 9 of Bewitched & Betrayed last night, and I've realized it's time to do what I've done on my past two books -- write a short synopsis of each chapter to remind me what I've written up to this point so I don't get off track.
I open a new Word document, go through each chapter and write no more than three short sentences telling what happened in that chapter. Just the big stuff; I don't get bogged down with little details (unless they're important). And once I've done this through Chapter 9, I can better see where I've been and where I need to go -- and what I need to go back and fix. When I'm writing a first draft, it's easy to forget the details of what I've already done. Say I started a sub-plot in Chapter 2, but never picked it back up again. This exercise reminds me of loose plotlines I might have forgotten about. Now, as I finish each new chapter, I'll write a quick summary to let me keep track of how the book is taking shape. Hey, it works for me. ; )
BTW -- Derek & I have been on NutriSystem for a week and a half. I've lost 7 pounds, Derek has lost almost 10 pounds. It ain't easy, but when you're seeing results, it's easier to hang in there. ; )
Some of what's coming in the few weeks:
I open a new Word document, go through each chapter and write no more than three short sentences telling what happened in that chapter. Just the big stuff; I don't get bogged down with little details (unless they're important). And once I've done this through Chapter 9, I can better see where I've been and where I need to go -- and what I need to go back and fix. When I'm writing a first draft, it's easy to forget the details of what I've already done. Say I started a sub-plot in Chapter 2, but never picked it back up again. This exercise reminds me of loose plotlines I might have forgotten about. Now, as I finish each new chapter, I'll write a quick summary to let me keep track of how the book is taking shape. Hey, it works for me. ; )
BTW -- Derek & I have been on NutriSystem for a week and a half. I've lost 7 pounds, Derek has lost almost 10 pounds. It ain't easy, but when you're seeing results, it's easier to hang in there. ; )
Some of what's coming in the few weeks:
- How to keep a story believable
- Need inspiration? Look into your characters' pasts and air that dirty laundry. ; )
- Listen to your readers
- Keep the action going
- Real dialogue for realistic characters
- Say no to "info dump"
- Start with a hook, end with a cliffhanger
- Let every scene advance the plot
- Never stop learning
posted by Lisa Shearin at
7:53 AM
10 Comments:
That is an excellent idea...I really like that!
It REALLY helps me out.
Hmm ill give it a try but i ususally remember whats going on, good memory except when it comes to characters then im hopeless. :)
It's also a useful organization tool. I write one-word summaries of paragraphs to make sure that they fit where they're supposed to.
lists of people their discriptions and all their "Stuff" aka what there doing walking around in my book help a bunch but that is a good idea, sometimes i get really off track...
I'm not exactly known for simple plots, so this little exercise is invaluable for me.
Love this idea! I'm going to borrow it...if I can ever get this second book off the ground. Ugh. :)
I remembered to stop and use it because my book is losing altitude. ; ) I need to find out where I've been, what I've done, and what I should do next. It's time to spend a day or two plotting.
I had to go back and write down everything one of my characters did in order to detangle a plot knot. It was very helpful and made me think of a few more great tweaks. Next time, I think I'll try the running outline.
Something I'm definitely going to try out. Editing one wip at the moment, discovered name changes for a main character (not sure how that happened), critiquers are picking up on plot points which got created when I wrote the chapter, but need to be linked and explained earlier/later on.
I have a terrible memory, so the chapter summaries will help me with plot continuity!
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