As I was wandering around the great blog-o-sphere recently, I ran across a weekly post by Jeff Martin called Tuesday Writing Thoughts, specifically, the post from June 16 – Novel Preparation. The blog had me reflecting on my own writer’s journey, how my writing technique has changed with book two in the series, and what works for me as a writer.
When I started writing I couldn’t imagine being a panster, someone who creates the story out of the mist. With book one I was rigid with my style and struggled to keep to my outline while feeling good about the results. Frustrated, I opted to let the story take me where it wanted to go. The book had the same planned ending but I got a better story by letting go of my strict format.
These days my style has morphed to one that starts with a basic outline, maybe even a complete one. Then the fun begins. As the story unfolds I’ve learned to go with the flow and let my characters take me where they will, I just hang on for the ride. I know I can always make changes on future drafts and the freedom I feel, as the story takes me on an adventure, is like flying.
Jeff Martin is a poet, aspiring novelist and singer/songwriter based out of northern CA. If you want to catch Jeff’s follow up to Novel Preparation or his other writings, you can find him at The Oak Wheel.
Whispers in the air 