Living, Breathing Stories
September 1st 2008 09:39
I am what I call an 'organic writer'. I can't remember where I first heard the term, although perhaps Stephen King can be blamed (don't ask why his name popped into my head.) I will usually give myself an idea where the story is headed and some idea of the characters, but I let the story grow and change.
I've been working on Jihad for four years now, for example. It's one of my most treasured stories and I know its biggest plot points like the back of my hand. I know the motivations of every God on both sides. I have a firm idea of Kaitlyn's internal function-she adapts to physical change more easily than mental and cultural change. I know Keith pretty well, too.
These are the characters that have been with me through the three times I've tried to write out this story. But on the most recent attempt, my story has changed dramatically. The Gods still have the same motivations. The book will still ultimately end in a very similar way. The biggest changes are things that only truly have an impact on the middle.
For example, Alaendril wasn't supposed to exist. In fact, because of when he appeared in the story, I had to invent a few scenes involving slave traders to introduce the monk-and ended up introducing another character during those scenes. Alaendril pissing one of the other characters off results in discord and assassins among the group.
Writers like me don't plan every little detail-and even when we plan a lot of the details, we allow room for change and growth from our plans. Our characters live, breath, and occasionally rebel or tell us things we didn't know-and aren't necessarily sure we wanted to.
Our stories change, they live, they breath, they move forward at times effortlessly-or sluggishly if there needs to be a change. They communicate, as do all the people in them, with the writer to make themselves better, and to change. To have that change displayed where others can acknowledge it and see it.
I don't know how many of my favorite writers write like that. I'm pretty sure Stephen King does, and I know a lot of people in my writing communities do. It's not that uncommon of a way to write, and while it doesn't work for everyone, I think it works for a lot of writers and I think that maybe it even produces the best stories, but who knows? I'm no real judge-just personal opinion.
I've been working on Jihad for four years now, for example. It's one of my most treasured stories and I know its biggest plot points like the back of my hand. I know the motivations of every God on both sides. I have a firm idea of Kaitlyn's internal function-she adapts to physical change more easily than mental and cultural change. I know Keith pretty well, too.
These are the characters that have been with me through the three times I've tried to write out this story. But on the most recent attempt, my story has changed dramatically. The Gods still have the same motivations. The book will still ultimately end in a very similar way. The biggest changes are things that only truly have an impact on the middle.
For example, Alaendril wasn't supposed to exist. In fact, because of when he appeared in the story, I had to invent a few scenes involving slave traders to introduce the monk-and ended up introducing another character during those scenes. Alaendril pissing one of the other characters off results in discord and assassins among the group.
Writers like me don't plan every little detail-and even when we plan a lot of the details, we allow room for change and growth from our plans. Our characters live, breath, and occasionally rebel or tell us things we didn't know-and aren't necessarily sure we wanted to.
Our stories change, they live, they breath, they move forward at times effortlessly-or sluggishly if there needs to be a change. They communicate, as do all the people in them, with the writer to make themselves better, and to change. To have that change displayed where others can acknowledge it and see it.
I don't know how many of my favorite writers write like that. I'm pretty sure Stephen King does, and I know a lot of people in my writing communities do. It's not that uncommon of a way to write, and while it doesn't work for everyone, I think it works for a lot of writers and I think that maybe it even produces the best stories, but who knows? I'm no real judge-just personal opinion.
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