Why I need to write a novel

[litlover12]

I need something in my life I can control.

Now if I could just figure out how to write a plot . . . !

Comments

[tempestsarekind.livejournal.com]

You could just start with characters! That's what I usually do (since I am totally awful at plot). Of course, this usually results in unfinished stories where I have no idea what is going to happen, but it's fun anyway. :)

[litlover12.livejournal.com]

Well, I could try. . . . Of course, I do have a copy of "No Plot? No Problem!" I bought it for NaNoWriMo 2008, in which I participated for two days before dropping out. :-) If I ever do write a novel, it ain't gonna be in 30 days, I'm afraid.

[tempestsarekind.livejournal.com]

Occasionally I do think about doing NaNoWriMo, just to see if it will help me get out of my own head a little bit, but I know it doesn't work for everybody, and might not work for me. I do need to be less focused on getting every word right before I can move on, but writing *all* the words in 30 days could easily be pushing it!

Plus my biggest problem is still plot; I usually have characters and a situation, but don't really know how to move that situation forward. *shrug*

[valancy-s.livejournal.com]

I usually have characters and a situation, but don't really know how to move that situation forward.

This is my biggest issue too! *sympathizes*

[tempestsarekind.livejournal.com]

It does make me wonder about what the world looks like to people who are good at plot. :) When I watch, say, Steven Moffat's episodes of Doctor Who, or read Neil Gaiman's books, I usually find myself thinking, "My brain just doesn't *work* like that!"

(Actually, I'm not even sure if that's because of plot so much as it is that they come up with interesting conceits, but still.)

[valancy-s.livejournal.com]

Oh man... I wish my novel was something I could control :/

[litlover12.livejournal.com]

I think I know what you mean -- I always hear novelists saying that their characters get out of control. But I could at least have control of the general direction and the consistency of the story -- I hope. :-) Out-of-character actions and lack of internal integrity in a story, show, movie, etc., drives me mad. Like L. M. Montgomery's Emily, I'm wretched whenever a story ends the wrong way.

It sounds like we should all get together and collaborate on "Six (or More) Characters in Search of a Plot." :-)

[valancy-s.livejournal.com]

Well, I meant more that I wish I had better control over my creative flow - like, that good ideas and time to write would actually coincide. But yes, I lack control over my plots as well. All I ever want to do is fantasize long dialogues for my favorite characters; I hate advancing the story!

[valancy-s.livejournal.com]

Well, I meant more that I wish I had better control over my creative flow - like, that good ideas and time to write would actually coincide. But yes, I lack control over my plots as well. All I ever want to do is fantasize long dialogues for my favorite characters; I hate advancing the story!

[litlover12.livejournal.com]

That's funny, because that's exactly what I go for in my reading -- more dialogue, less description. When you publish your "Series of Dialogues by Several Characters," I'll be first in line! ;-)