Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Yep. Elbow deep

I'm 3 chapters in to a new manuscript and having a lot of fun.

As you might remember, I took a week off from writing earlier in the month. Shocking, I know. While I was in "time off" I did some research for the new idea rattling around in my brain so when I started to write, I could get going immediately.

This is a new method for me. Normally I have an overall plot/idea for the book and each chapter is X number of words long with a good idea going into the chapter what it will entail.

Not so with this book. I'm going back to one of my earlier methods: I'm writing almost entirely dialog then going back at the end of the chapter and filling in the details. Each chapter will be as long as it needs to be, and I have an idea for the ending of the book, several major scenes, and that's about it.

My main characters are outside the human realm, I guess you could say, and they're commenting on what the humans are doing to the world (heh heh). I'm having a lot of fun with that. There's a major plot twist at the end that should produce a very satisfying ending.

This may prove to be a book I publish myself, or I may submit it someday for publication. I have 4 or 5 other manuscripts to submit to my editor, so I'll do those first, probably. Plus I have another book that was returned to me (rights-reversion) and I need to think about what to do with that.

But for now -- just writing. If things go smoothly, I think I might be done with this one early. The last time I wrote a book in this fashion, it took me 6 weeks from start to finish. I doubt if this will be that fast, but who knows?

I'll report in on progress -- so far, so fun!

JL
(jayellwilson.com)

8 comments:

Jannine Gallant said...

Actually, this is my exact process. I know a couple of big plot points and the ending before I start, and I fill in the rest as I go along. It works for me.

Andrea Downing said...

Ditto to what Jannine said, but it's always good to experiement.

Margo Hoornstra said...

That does sound so far so fun, JL. Others commenting on human behavior. Must be an interesting read. Best of luck with it. Do keep us posted.

Diane Burton said...

Another ditto to the process. I do my research on the fly, though, just going after what I need. My rough drafts look more like scripts than novels until I add more than just stage directions. I see my stories like movies and write them that way. Then I go back and fill in the details, emotions, descriptions, etc. This would drive some writers crazy. Whatever works. Best wishes on this project, JL. Have fun.

Rolynn Anderson said...

And so goes the Energizer Bunny among us. Glad you have a smile going, JL. We're rooting for you as you take on your next adventure!

Vonnie Davis, Author said...

I love this process and am happiest when I use it myself. I can only do it chapter by chapter. Some do their complete books this way. I'm too picky. Go you!!!

Leah St. James said...

That would be fun--commenting on human behavior. :-) Enjoy!

Alicia Dean said...

So glad this is working for you. For me, I HAVE to know what's going to happen, pretty much in each chapter. It changes as I write, but if I don't have a solid outline, I am lost when I start to write. Your new book sounds awesome...love the concept!