I admit that the novel idea I’m working on now isn’t something “new”. Not really. It’s based (a bit loosely, as I’ve discovered since last night) on one of my favorite songs from the 70s, a one-hit wonder (my music fascination) that ends on a very sad note. All these years, as I’ve listened, I’ve always felt so sad for the title character and wished her to have a happy ending (no, I won’t tell you which song, at least not yet.)
I’ve wanted to rewrite her song into a story so she finds the happy ending she deserves. I’ve toyed with it, thought about it, talked about it (to the writing girls, who all understand–and love the song) but never really did anything about it because I haven’t felt able to tackle it.
Guess what I’m working on now?!
I also admit to being a bit afraid of the whole novel-writing process. I don’t know why I should be…I’ve finished three unpubbed(that shall never see the light of day) but none of them feel solid (even though one won a contest). I think my feelings of inadequacy lie in the rejection letters I’ve received and in the actual novel-writing process itself. It’s messy and uncertain, ugly and beautiful at the same time. I never get what I planned and I have a hard time with that.
Monday I signed up, on a whim, with Holly Lisle for her “How to Think Sideways” course. I devour everything she puts out…on characters, plot, setting, language, culture…so I thought this would just be a little boost in the process, a shot in the arm but not a full round of immunizations.
I think I was wrong (and I don’t admit that too often…just ask mom)
I did the first lesson last night and tried one of the techniques for brainstorming that she mentions. It’s something I’ve seen umpteen times and have always thought looked fun, but me in my perfection self is afraid to get messy on paper. I gave myself permission to be messy, to not know the answer or the plot before I started, and what I discovered was fabulous.
No, the novel is not plotted, no characters are fully developed, my setting isn’t even discovered (but this *may* be a time travel…the type of story that moves my heart most…historical and contemporary…like peanut butter and chocolate, is there anything better?), but I did discover a story element I might have missed with my traditional linear thinking, and I felt a freedom in the process that I haven’t felt in planning previous novels. It’s a good thing. Kept me up late, got me up early, and that’s what gets me writing.
I’ll talk more about Holly’s program soon, but if you’re interested, here’s a link to check it out. She’s registering right now for upcoming classes (I’m in the year-long…I need the extra time)
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