Wednesday, December 16, 2009
What to do when the romance dies
The story in your head - that is. I am supposed to be a romance writer, but for the last two weeks every time I sit down to write all I can think of is the new contemporay book idea I had, which in no sense can be classifed as romance. This idea is literary fiction and high concept. I'm now at war with myself. Should I run with the contemporary or go back to my historical romance, which I already started then failed to blaze a trail across my keyboard - so to speak. Here's the problem as I see it. I plotted my second novel out completely, and I have NEVER done this. I feel boxed in, stifled and forced to think about what I plotted every time I sit down to write. Here my friends is the oh my god moment. I am not a plotter, I'm a panster. some people consider this a dirty word, but I think it may be my salvation. I'm going to write on my contemporary for the next week and try and forget about the meticulously plotted out historical romance. After Christmas, I'll come back to it with just the characters in mind and let them take me where they know they need to go. Are you a plotter or a panster or do you consider yourself both?
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The first time I tried to write a novel, I did the same thing you seem to have done. I plotted it so heavily that I plotted myself into a box. I didn't give either myself, or my characters, room to breathe, to grow in unexpected ways, to react to situations in a way other than I expected. And I got stuck.
ReplyDeleteAbout halfway through, I got to a point that I simply could not move with that WIP any more. I had to put it down. It has sat on my shelf now for close to ten years, collecting dust.
It took me nearly a decade to decide to try again. When I did, I decided to do things a little differently. Yes, I still do some plotting ahead of time. I have to. I need a goal, a direction, something to strive for. But, I allow myself to make changes as I go, based on how my characters are coming to life. With that method, I've finished two books and am working on writing a third.
So I guess I would say, I consider myself to be a loose plotter. Not fully either a plotter or a pantser, but a touch of both. It has worked well for me so far.
As far as your problem, I'd say write what is calling to you right now. You may have started with romance, but you don't have to limit yourself to romance. You may find, as you write, that you actually are more in tune with another genre. That's okay!
i am not certain what a panster is, but that is me as i am not a plotter. for me plotting does not work. i have to follow my characters. i am interested to see what happens for you after christmas when you follow the characters more than the outline. i know you'll find your way.
ReplyDeletei am glad to have found your blog, julie.
happy holidays, katie