I'm a bit new to this writing malarky. Oh, I've written lots of opening chapters, character sketches, short stories, and the like, but until I came on here, I never had the impetus to really get stuck in and just write.

I'm finding that I'm just enjoying the whole process immensely, now that I've got beyond the opening chapter doldrums.

But I'm also finding something a bit peculiar going on, and wondered if other writers get the same kind of sensation.

I have a beginning and some idea of where I want to get to - but the in between bits could go in several different directions. I find myself really looking forward to what's going to happen, and what the characters do next - it's almost as if I'm reading the damn thing, not writing it. I start to write and things happen, and my characters and events surprise me.

Am I just odd?

Simon

Posted: 09/12/2008 09:38:27

You are utterly, completely and unquestionably normal.

Sorry.

Ciao!
Kimberly

Posted: 09/12/2008 09:46:32

No.

I don't know if you've looked at my book yet, but I started mine with a sketch of an idea for a first scene. I just wanted to write it, as I often do, and then stick it in my 'snippets' directory for future use. I have a lot of those scenes that aren't attached to a story in particular. They're just ideas I might use later.

Anyway, I was writing this scene where my character sits in the president's office, talking and suddenly... someone throws a bomb into the window! Oh man! Then I spent 98K working out who did it. In my first draft, I had no idea. I wrote the scenes entirely the way the characters wanted them, without any backstory. Now on my fourth major draft, I have all the backstory filled in.

I can truly say that this novel wrote me, and not the other way around.

Posted: 09/12/2008 09:47:28

Thanks for the reassurance!

It's weird. I don't get a lot of time in a day to devote to writing - I have to work, look after the family, spend time with the missus, feed the cats and chickens - all of the usual stuff - which I enjoy very much.

But I also find myself looking forward to stealing a few minutes to write, so I can find out what happens next!

Glad to know I'm not entirely bonkers

Simon

PS - Patty, I'm getting there, more slowly than I would like. I hope your patience doesn't run out.

Posted: 09/12/2008 10:00:40

You're perfectly normal.

BTW - No prodding intended. I honestly don't always remember.

Posted: 09/12/2008 10:02:40

I'm a bit new to this writing malarky. Oh, I've written lots of opening chapters, character sketches, short stories, and the like, but until I came on here, I never had the impetus to really get stuck in and just write.

I'm finding that I'm just enjoying the whole process immensely, now that I've got beyond the opening chapter doldrums.

But I'm also finding something a bit peculiar going on, and wondered if other writers get the same kind of sensation.

I have a beginning and some idea of where I want to get to - but the in between bits could go in several different directions. I find myself really looking forward to what's going to happen, and what the characters do next - it's almost as if I'm reading the damn thing, not writing it. I start to write and things happen, and my characters and events surprise me.

Am I just odd?

Simon

'Twas ever thus. Falstaff ran away with the Henry plays and you can't help feeling Shakey had to keep his death off stage in V: This Time it's War (what a franchise that was) to avoid him taking that one over too.

Posted: 09/12/2008 10:13:47

Pssst... just quietly... all writers are a bit mad... that's why we like to hang out with other writers, they tell us we're not mad and we all feel better about ourselves.

Posted: 09/12/2008 10:17:57

"I have a beginning and some idea of where I want to get to - but the in between bits could go in several different directions. I find myself really looking forward to what's going to happen, and what the characters do next - it's almost as if I'm reading the damn thing, not writing it. I start to write and things happen, and my characters and events surprise me."

I often feel that. I make very few decisions - it's nearly all the characters.
And If that is NOT happening then those characters are not up to the task of playing their parts in your story.

Posted: 09/12/2008 11:34:28

Sheesh! I thought it was just me.

Posted: 09/12/2008 12:08:21