The other day I tweeted about deleting a big chunk of my book. Have you ever been on auto-pilot with your writing? That's how I felt about the last bunch of pages. I was going down a path that I did not plan. It didn't seem to fit. It felt unpurposeful. That's why I was moving so slow... I didn't know where to go with it. Yet, I was reluctant to delete the pages. Something kept me plugging away.
It's almost as though my subconscious decides where the story is going without telling me. I was getting really frustrated today. I started pacing. I'm not a pacer, but there I was... pacing. I stepped out onto the balcony and stared across the pasture. I went back in and walked around the bedroom. Why the heck am I writing about this ridiculous Thanksgiving dinner thing. It had nothing to do with the story line. I went back outside. This went on for several minutes.... then BAM! It hit me.
Suddenly I knew why I was writing this... It was the only way to bring the characters together at that point in time for the dialog that started filling my head. It needed to be said. I hadn't covered that yet. But why would she be there then? Tada! She came for Thanksgiving! Duh.
I guess I need to trust my instinct a little more. I was so afraid I'd gone off on a wild tangent, with no hope of returning to my outline. Then, in the blink of an eye, it all came together. The words came and my fingers flew. I quickly tapped out six-hundred more words. I could have gone all night, had I not needed to prepare dinner. I wish I could convince Hubby to live on Atkins' protein shakes...
Have you ever wondered why you were writing a passage that wasn't planned, only to discover that it fit perfectly into your story line? The brain is an amazing thing!
All things writing: My WsIP and tidbits I learn along the way, book reviews, an occasional author interview, and a hodgepodge of anything else on the topic of writing.
9 comments:
That is so exciting. I am glad you broke through. It is such a wonderful feeling when inspiration occurs and writing becomes effortless.
Yes, I agree when those moments occur why can't hubbies either be on Atkins or suddenly have a desire to fast. Loved this post!!
PS I left and addendum on my last post about the fire for you to read.
Lily, you make me want to write a book! It sounds so exciting. Lots of work too, I'm sure - I think the beginning and the end, for me, would be the hardest parts. It sounds like you are almost done? Yes?
It happens to me all the time. And you are right; the brain is an amazing thing!
I'm pleased your writing is going so well. But no writing is ever wasted. If you had decided to cut the scene from this book it would have stayed with you and re-appeared somewhere else (novel no.2 perhaps?)
I love it when that happens. It provides a surprise and I love surprises--well, I love them in fiction, anyway!
It's wonderful when things work out! I'm re-thinking my novel, but haven't had that "aha moment" yet.
Blessings,
Susan :)
That is a great post, it must have been a really good feeling.
Anne
I can only slightly imagine what you mean. I'm no writer and in no way an author, but just in writing a post or even an email, sometimes the words just end up on the computer and when I proof read I sometimes wonder where that came from. It sometimes feels like a different mind is telling my fingers what keys to hit. That would be such a great break through feeling for someone writing a book.
I know what you mean about dinner. If I had a real job other than taking care of hubby, I would tell him to get his own dinner.
See what good wives we are?
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