So I’ve been working on the sequel to Eyes of Onyx (the sequel to Eyes of Emerald), for awhile now. And when I say ‘work’ I mean a lot of brainstorming, drafting parts that come to me, finding music for playlists (yes, this is a huge part for me), etc. I have about 12,000 words written on it so far. The only problem? They are all over the place. I might as well be writing it on my hand or on the back of the door in a bathroom stall. I have multiple documents for each novel I start writing. One is for random info–songs I like, things I need to remember…think of it like one of those ‘all purpose’ drawers in your kitchen that holds everything from workout bands (how’d those get in there?) to masking tape. I have another for the actual novel, one for cuts from the novel as I start revising, one for the synopsis, and another for thorough character outlining and chapter and/or scene outlines. All of this is still seriously amateur, mind you; I’m still an infant in the whole life of a writer, so I’m learning what works for me as I go.
Now with Eyes of Emerald I was just toying around; I had no plans on finishing a novel or anything, I just brainstormed a little then began writing because I wanted to try it one day. And then I kept writing. And kept writing. And then wrote some more. When I was done and saw that I actually had something semi-substantial, I just revised and revised and revised for about nine months. (Btw, check out the series of blog entries Maggie Stiefvater is writing this week about revising.) It took me so long because I was really learning what writing was all about, so most of my work was in polishing the voice, the pacing, etc. I never really outlined at all. I kinda did that later on after I had written the book. Weird, I know.
Well, now I’m in a completely different place in my writing than I was a year ago. I’m starting a novel with the intention of finishing it, so I know it needs an outline. And I’ve come to the realization that this is the hardest and most frustrating part for me because I am
so
completely
scattered.
Seriously, it’s madness.
My brainstorming is everywhere, from journals, to random pieces of paper, to on my computer in about 4 different documents. I can’t outline before I write the scenes that are begging to be written, so I have those hangin’ around too. So now I have to put it all together, but I can’t do that until I step back and take a long look at everything laid out before me, which is hard when it’s all over the stinkin’ place!
I’ve heard of some different methods and resources out there including The Snowflake Method by Randy Ingermanson, The Three-Act Structure, and even using software like Scrivener and DramaticaPro to help with the process. But I’m finding that I’m doing most of what they say already, it’s just not in a nice and orderly list or table or spreadsheet. This is all very strange to me because the other 15/16ths of me is insanely organized; like the thought of making labels and filing gives me a high equivalent to eating a bowl of M&Ms (which I’m…..not……doing…..)
BUT, I finally got over the hump and finished my outline for Eyes of Onyx. I wrote it out first. I can’t type it out in the beginning. I’ve got to be able to strike out, scribble, and draw little stick figures in the margins if I want to. =) But, after much pondering, much debating with myself, and a sparkling moment of complete clarity, it’s written.
I guess that even if you don’t use a particular method, you’ll get there. It may be a longer, bumpier, unpaved road, but you’ll get there. I think I’m just trying to find out what works best for me, but I am really loving that journey.
So are you a methodman or a madman?
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