I consider myself a storyteller author. By that, I mean I create a character, and then I tell that characters story. I’m not a University educated writer, and the only writing classes I’ve taken was one on freelance magazine writing (about how to search for submission guidelines, and how to use your research for various articles instead of only one) and a correspondence course on how to make money at writing. (Which is how I got into erotic fiction – because we all know sex sells.) None of these classes were about the craft of writing. As far as that goes, I only have high school English, and a couple of workshops taken at conferences on character development or plotting.
I sharing this with you for a couple of reasons. To prove that if you want to be an author, you don’t Have to go to school for it. You don’t have to follow the most common path, and most of all, you don’t have to follow the ‘rules’.
Some people are book learners, some are not. I’m not. I’ve accepted that about myself in the past, and found other ways to lean what I want and do what I want. It doesn’t matter if it’s photography, bookbinding, or writing, I’ve learned by doing, not by going to school. In my mind this doesn’t make me any less than someone with a degree, but I’m human enough to admit that there are times it effects my self-confidence in what I’m doing. And recently, I let that happen.
A while ago I decided to try and write a ‘break-out’ book or series. I enjoy writing erotic fiction and I like my publishers. But it became clear to me that writing Trade paperback erotic fiction for 2 publishers wasn’t going to get me to another level career-wise. I was on a treadmill. I could live off what I made writing, but I couldn’t do anything more than that. I couldn’t save any money, I couldn’t go on a vacation or buy a new car. How the hell was I gonna bank some money for retirement? (Which really is a realistic thought when you’ve been a waitress for 20 years, and then become a self-employed writer…no pension anywhere to be seen) So, I decided I needed to …breakout.
Somehow, in my mind that meant I had to change the way I do things. Instead of doing what came naturally – which is basically fly by the seat of my pants the whole way – I needed a plan. I needed to be a ‘real’ writer. I needed to come up with a high concept idea, plot it out, write up a proposal, and have an agent who believed in it send it out.
I can up with an idea, found an agent who liked that idea and wanted to work with me on it. I set about plotting the story, and hit a brick wall …again and again. If you’ had asked me a month ago where I’d be on this story, I’d have said at least 1/4 done. Know where I am? Page 2. Yep. I spent the last month trying to change my process to fit the way I thought things should be done, and it’s gotten me nowhere. Okay, so not really nowhere. I like to believe I can do anything if I set my mind to it, and you know what? I can. I plotted out the story, and I wrote a synopsis. I thought it sucked and I second-guessed myself so I wrote another synopsis. But that one sucked too. I talked to friends who are big on plotting, I thought long and hard about my idea, the character, I looked at it from every angle possible, and it got to the point where I was ready to say ‘Fuck it ‘and move on to a completely different idea.
Then I sat down and made myself think about my career goals again. I talked to the agent who was willing to work with me on the idea, and whined a bit about how lost I felt. He was cool. He asked what I thought I might want to work on instead. I thought about what I wanted to do with my career, and low and behold if I still didn’t want to work on the original idea. It’s the one. I just know it. But I have to do it my way.
Sure, I could probably (maybe) write a synopsis and plot out the story, but I truly don’t think that will help me make this the best story it can be. Finding out what works for you, and trusting in it, is important. I have friends who feel the magic of a story when they’re plotting it out, but not me.
To me, the magic of the story comes from the telling of it, not the plotting of it. To me, the joy of a story comes when I can sit down at the computer, and just write – with no boundaries. Some writers say they see the story play out in their head like a movie, but not me. I guess I’m sort of like a method actor; when I’m writing, I tend to put myself in the characters shoes. Sometimes the character reacts to something the same way I would, and other time, those magical times few and far between, the character takes over and I become nothing more than a conduit. There have been times when I’ve read my own pages and not remembered writing what was on the pages. To me, that’s the magic of storytelling – and there isn’t a book or class in the world that can teach you how to do it.
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Excellent post, Sasha — and exactly right (from my perspective!). I, too, have tried following the rules and doing it the “right” way, and it just flat-out doesn’t work. The moment I try making my characters do something they don’t want to do, they stop speaking to me. At all. After having hit several writer’s blocks because of my own stubbornness, I think I may have learned my lesson.
And as far as plotting out the book before I write it? Can’t do that either…the way I look at it, once I know the outcome of the story, what’s the point in writing it? lol
So…best of luck with your breakout novel — I hope you have lots of fun with it!
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I know a little something about stubborness too. LOL Sounds like we’re quite similar, so I’m going to say…Good Luck, Linda!
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Nothing kills writing mojo like screwing with your process. Do what works for you! Happy writing, and isn’t it good to know this IS the book you want to write?
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It isn’t the one I originally invisioned, but it is one I want to write. I think it will be better than the one I originally imagined so I’m good with that. Thanks, Charli.
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I think people are somewhat hard-wired to be creative in certain ways. There are methods that allow for the natural expression of your creativity, and that is all going to depend on the person. My brain loves structure. I’m very linear in my thinking. I also love to plot. I need to see where things are going or I get lost and lose my creative energy. I’m actually toying a bit with being more of a pantser on my current novel. The novel is not completely plotted out. I know how it’s going to end. I know the midpoint, and have a fair idea how I’m getting to that middle. After that, it’s still rather up in the air. It’s an odd feeling and one I’m not very comfortable with, but I also like the idea of kind of seeing what comes out before really knowing what it will be. It’s a very different way to right, and I think/hope in the long run it will (even if I don’t do my next book this way) give me greater perspective on writing and improve it as well.
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I agree, Jim. I think we can do things other ways, but we’re definitely hardwired so that some things make life, and work, easier.
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I know nothing of the writing or publishing aspect but I say as long as the magic keeps hitting the page write it how ever you are most comfortable. *smooches Sasha*
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Thanks, Munk! *hugs back*
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I find that I actually have to come up with a brand new process for every script that I write. What works for me on one, won’t work for me on another. Sometimes this can be exhausing, and until I figure out the process for the story I’m telling, I usually spin my wheels for awhile.
I’ve given up trying to figure out why I can’t find one way to write.
It would be so much simpler if I could.
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Kate, I’ve talked to others that are the same, and to be honest, I’m not sure I could handle that. LOL But if it works for you, that’s all that matters!
Good Luck, and keep writing.
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So, I take it the excitement of a new story is back and things are working out?
I’m glad.
I think I mentioned this before to you. I’m one of those people who watches the movie in my head. I can’t plot, I can’t do a synopsis before I start, I can’t do scene cards, I’m terrible at writing little scenes and then trying to make them fit in. I just sit down, make sure my fingers are on the right keys to start, close my eyes and type.
That’s not to say that quite often, there are areas the need way more work than others, but if I can’t get the story down like that, and in a linear fashion, forget it. The story never gets past the first paragraph. I’ve tried. More than once.
I’m excited for you and your new project.
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Great Post Sasha!!!
It’s about the story and the characters, not how much college you have.
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Exactly. I’m glad you liked the post.
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I’m glad to hear you worked this out Sasha. I know how much it was bugging you. Kudos to you.
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Yes, Vivi. You know it’s been working on me for a while. LOL . If this doesn’t settle me in somehow, I’m one. LOL
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Like Jim I’m a very linear thinker–but I’m also very visual AND like you, I learn better by doing than by being taught. Even though I think learning to plot has made me a better writer, a lot of the actual writing is still very organic for me!
Great post love! And good luck with the new project.