Friday, January 30, 2015

Developing a Story

Margaret looks at how she develops a story.

You might find this hard to believe but I only need the germ of an idea to begin writing a story. It could be a reason why hero and heroine do not hit it off straight away. Perhaps trouble over an inheritance they both believed was their right. Or something as simple as a clash of personalities. I develop both the story and the characters as I go along. I know it goes against all the rules but this is what I do.

Meeting characters in a book is like meeting people in real life. You peel off layer after layer as you get to know them. No author gives everything away in the first few pages. Information is fed in little by little with the intention of drawing in the reader so that they anxiously turn pages to find out what happens next.

Often I don’t even know myself what’s going to happen. Some people find it surprising when they hear I write like this but to me it’s one of the most enjoyable aspects, because if I don’t know then the reader won’t be able to guess either. OK, it can misfire and I have to go back and fill in the blanks, so to speak, but I can live with that.

My stories develop in different ways, either through the main characters and their goals – which are very often entirely opposite to each other and result in conflict. Or they go off at a tangent I hadn’t even thought about. Having said that, although I don’t exactly plot, I do need conflict strong enough to last the entire story. Also one which needs to be resolved before they can admit their love. And very often as they sort out one source of conflict there will be another still waiting to happen.

The beauty of it is they always have happy endings. It’s the pathway to that ending which is the intriguing part. And I never know how my characters are going to reach it.

8 comments:

  1. I have done what you described, Margaret, and ended up with two WIP's that were not ready for 2:30 pm, let alone prime time. You had (or developed) innate storytelling skills.
    I've had to learn story structure and character development through error, study, and then deliberate application. Two ways up the same glorious mountain.

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  2. I was always good at English at school, Anna. It was in fact my favourite subject. And I once had an essay read out to the class by my teacher. So I guess it's innate.

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  3. I'm very similar to you, Margaret, as I don't usually do any detailed plotting. I might have a 'vague outline' but often the end story is very different from my original idea!

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  4. Margaret, I also write in a very similar way. I have a small tidbit of an idea and go from there. There have been a few occasions when I've written notes, almost like a rough outline or mini synopsis for myself, but those times are few and far between. Most of the time I am writing by the seat of my pants and letting my characters take me where they will...and that can be quite surprising sometimes! :)

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  5. Paula and Debra, I'm so glad we all work similarly. I thought I was in a minority. :)

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  6. I work the same way, Margaret. And it's definitely more fun that way! I tried writing a book from an outline once, and although I was ultimately able to do it, it was the most difficult book I've ever written!

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  7. Even compulsive plotters have to go back and fill in the blanks! :) Great comments, Margaret.

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  8. Jennifer, good to hear you work the same way too. It would appear that most of us do. And Ann, I agree about plottersstill having to go back over their work. I guess whichever way you work the hard work is going back over it afterwards.

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