Ever have a story you’re working on go off in unforeseen directions, take you to new places you didn’t know existed, compose words and phrases not of your own choosing, sit back and wonder “What the f?ck happened?”
I know this happens to Pantzers. It has to. It’s part of how they work; see where the story goes and follow. It surprised me that Plotters also experience this. Not all, and some. Hold your story reigns tight, you don’t allow it to happen. You’re headed down the highway and turn the wheel too much either way you go off the road, end up in a ditch, and possibly dead.
My opinion, you also lose the opportunity to take backroads and learn what’s really out there.
And as always, I prefer a middle ground in these things. Again referencing my current WIP, Jerry and Betty, I know where the story is going and part of the fun is finding out how it gets there.
The past few weeks have been fascinating. Several starts and stops as new possibilities, new roadways, new paths to the final scene became apparent.
But finding the “right,” as in “correct,” as in “best” path to the story’s denouement and conclusion?
That required some work.
Enjoy!
Think I’m onto something? Take a class with me, schedule a critique of your work, or buy me a coffee.
Think I’m an idiot? Let me know in a comment.
Either way, we’ll both learn something.
Get copies of my books because it’s a nice thing to do, you care, you can follow along, and I need the money. My latest is my fiction anthology Tales Told ‘Round Celestial Campfires Volume 2
FWIW, I hold a Creators RoundTable the last Thursday of every month from 7:30-8:30pmET. Watch past RoundTables. Register to participate.
Wilderness House Literary Review EIC Steve Glines and I (Senior Fiction Editor) hold monthly open chats with authors interested in a) writing for us, b) improving their craft in general, and/or c) increasing their chances of being accepted by other markets.
Meetings are held via Zoom on the last Friday of each month from 9-10amET.
So, want to know how to write for us? Want to know what gets our attention? Want to know how to write better for whatever market you’re interested in? Join us for our next “Meet the Editors” Zoom session. Seats limited! Sign up and talk with us. We’re relatively easy going and fun to be with.
Last item, finding these experiments useful? Strengthen my ego and link/friend/follow me.
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