Yesterday was finally the day I began working on my outline for Spirit Hackers. I had thought for a bit on how to do this (computer, dictation, etc) and I finally decided to go at it ‘old school’ and get out my Lefty Notebook (did you even know those existed?!?) and get some basic ideas down on the page. One thing that I wasn’t expecting was my wife to engage me in conversation about the book and what plot I had figured out so far. To my surprise, there wasn’t much that I really knew of the book or the story at all. I really just had a basic premise, my character names, and my title. This is where I know my wife rules.
She seemed a bit confused in what the story was, even after I explained it a few times. In doing this, I saw that my story didn’t make sense and by getting frustrated in the point not getting across, I realized I had a lot of work to do. For the next half-hour we talked about the story and why the characters were doing what they did. I bounced some ideas off of her and she provided some of her own. It was the spark I needed.
I proceeded to get some basic, yet important information down for all four characters in the book: backstory and motivation. I also hammered out some possibilities for the consequences of the antagonist’s actions. I was also able to link up the M.C.’s role into the possible climax of the book. The page I began still isn’t full, but at the same time I have some good details figured out. At this point I believe I need to get each person rounded out and then I can also work on the timeline of the story & back-story. Once those are set, I can begin re-writing the book.
I’ve updated my sidebar removing the indefinitely-on-hold Mars story and adding a lot of N/A’s for S.H. I think that the pages I had written will be scrapped, to forever live in a junk file in my ‘Writings’ folder. I don’t want to get rid of them but I think that starting with a clean slate will work best for me. It’s a good feeling so far and I think that I can do this. My goal is to make this the best book I can write and really get it out for agent representation. Of course only time will tell how realistic that is, but I want to be a writer. I want to be a published writer. I want my name out there somewhere, even if I only sell a few copies. I want to be Aaron Crocco: Published Author!
“I want to be Aaron Crocco: Published Author!”
And that you will be…
Awww, thanks! U da best! 🙂
When I was notebook shopping a couple weeks ago, I longed for the lefty notebooks my mom used to buy me. No such luck.
Great news about figuring out your story! Spouses can be helpful like that sometimes. 🙂
I just did some outlining of my own today. Feels good accomplishing things, doesn’t it? Sometimes I take entire days off just to brainstorm, and I feel just as progressive as the days when I write write write.
I second what AC said. Published writer it is 🙂
I spend a lot of time getting to know each of my characters even before I put pen to paper. To me, it’s even more important than outlining a plot (yes, I know I still need a plot.)
But I have yet to publish a novel, so take that for what it’s worth.
Which ain’t much.
Speaking of a Million Little Pieces…I never did read it, regardless of whether it was true, fabricated, or something in between. Did you read it?
Melanie- They are the best! The one I’m using right now is from Ampad and I got it about 6 years ago.
Creative A- It totally feels great!
Wendy- I think that is a good thing, since if you know how they act you can then write a story and not even think of their reactions towards situations.
Colby- I never read it. I hear it’s good, but I don’t know if it’s my genre.
I also haven’t read A Million Little Pieces. I’d like to, but I refuse to buy it so I’ll have to wait for a library or a friend who owns it.
Melanie- I’m sure you could find it at a second-hand store, which would mean that James Frey doesn’t get anything from the sale.
Yay for lefty notebooks! I hope it turns out to be as cool as it seems.
Great for your progress! Keep it up, buddy. 🙂