Posted by: Genene Valleau
Status: Research and preparing to write: your suggestions welcome!
First of all, thanks to Team Alice/Eli for triggering this post. The example Alice used in her post yesterday of rethinking "throw-away lines" to work harder to deepen description while still using a minimum of words was very timely for me.
I've recently switched from working on a series of novels that will be about 75,000 words each to writing a 30,000-word novella. I expected my brain to switch immediately from long and flowing to short and tight. Well, the first hiccup came when I did the math on how many scenes the novella would be. Only 18-20 scenes instead of sixty or more? Oh.
So forget the subplots and extended cast of secondary characters. OK, I can do that.
At the same time, keep the emotional depth and gut-level motivation of the main characters. More digging and thinking, but I'm getting there.
Oh yeah, and it has to be funny. This is a comedy, after all, revolving around St. Patrick's Day. I'm jotting down notes--really I am! And there's that research into quirky wars and things Irish and time travel that's generating more ideas...
Aha! I haven't done a vision board for the novella yet. Time to get some green paper and St. Patty's knick-knacks and print out those photos of characters.
All this and I haven't actually started to write the story yet.
How about the rest of you? Many of us write or have written stories of varying lengths, as well as different genres or subgenres. Alice started out writing short stories. I don't know if Minnette Meador is still an active member of this chapter since she moved back to Portland, but she recently had a 600-word romance published in The Oregonian. You read that right: 600 words. I was impressed! It's at http://www.oregonlive.com/travel/index.ssf/2010/02/a_valentine_on_mount_\hood.html if you want to have a read.
Do you have a routine or ritual to help you switch from one genre to another? Do you need to take a few days' break or can you switch immediately from writing one story to another?
Or does it depend on where you are in the process? I can switch into editing mode fairly quickly for any length or genre. However, since I'm in the development and drafting stage with both my series and the novella, it's taking me a bit longer to make the switch. Perhaps I need to try a suggestion I remember someone making some time ago--I apologize that I don't remember who--to listen to different types of music for the different stories. Perhaps an Irish jig and some Celtic flutes to transport me to Ireland?
Any and all suggestions welcome. Because next week it's time for me to sit down and write the story!
8 comments:
Great article, darlin'! No, I'm not a member anymore, but try to keep up. I HATE (note all the capitals) writing short fiction, however when money is on the line, and food is off the table, I often find myself sufficiently motivated to indulge. I do write a short sci-fi or fantasy from time to time. For some reason that genre lends itself to the 2000- word category. Writing in less than 1000 words is a wonderful exercise to hone your cutting skills, believe me, and helps with your regular writing. The article I wrote for the Oregonian was an amazing exercise and taught me a lot. I would do it again. I'm afraid fiction in the Oregonian may be a once in a lifetime opportunity, ~sigh~ but it has tickled my craving and I'm looking into some magazine articles now. I highly suggest if for everyone. M:o)
Great to hear from you Minnette!
Genene, I'm the one who had different music for different projects. I listen to Native American music when I'm writing the NA trilogy, I listen to contemporary western music when I'm writing contemporary western,. I usually pick one or two specific artists per work. And I listen to bluegrass music when I'm working on historical westerns.
I didn't realize I was so auditory until a George Strait song came on the radio in the house and I immediately started thinking plots. LOL I listen to George Strait in the car when I'm traveling and that's when my mind wanders to plotting of WIPs or new stories.
Danita has been after me to do some short story stuff. I'm still pondering it. Though I've written two free reads that were 2500 words and had a heck of time keeping them under the count, and I wrote a 1200 word essay for Cup of Comfort books.
To answer your questions, I jump from genre to genre and don't seem to have a problem as long as I have the proper music.
Genene -- No helpful hints to offer. I think I will take the stand that if I helped by what I wrote yesterday, I should be able rest on those laurels!
No, really, I can switch between short and longer. Although I haven't done it in awhile, I don't recall it being too much of an issue. I can also switch from first to third person -- what I have trouble writing is non-fiction, especially when it's not really an essay. And if it's an assignment, forget it, the whole concept of writing on demand or filling out forms or anything else structured by someone else seems to scare the daylights out of me. Which makes me sound like a nut case.
Hm---
Fun blog!
Hi, Minnette! So glad you stopped by to say hello.
One of our former members is writing for magazInes and newspapers (not necessarily romance) and is doing really well with it.
Glad you're looking at it more seriously, as you seem to have a talent for it. I really enjoyed the story in The Oregonian and hope they do more fiction.
Thank you, Paty! I thought you used music, but I couldn't remember for sure.
It's interesting that George Strait triggers plotting for you. That could come in quite handy!
I can do shorter essays and newsletter articles, but I haven't developed the skill yet to write a romance story of 2500 words or less. I'm in awe of anyone who can do that!
Hi, Alice! Of course, you can rest on your laurels or anything else you'd like! :)
I hadn't thought of switching between first and third person. I will sometimes do pre-writing by having my characters talk and that's in first person. But my stories so far have been in third person. Hmm... another avenue to pursue.
It is interesting that nonfiction isn't something that calls to you. I've done a lot of newsletter articles, so that comes pretty easily to me.
Sounds like I just need to practice more on the shorter stories. Thanks!
It usually takes me a few days to switch between genres. As I have no experience writing novellas, I can't speak to book length, but I need a day or so to get into the mindset of the "different" world.
Thanks, Eli! I watched some Irish dancing the other day to inspire me. Didn't get much done on the story, but made me think I should take up dancing to get into shape.
I also turned on some Celtic music for awhile, so thanks to Paty for that inspiration!
Another benefit to this research--at least the part about things Irish--is that I'll be able to use that in one of my series books as the hero has really embraced their Irish heritage. Love that research will do double duty!
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