DEVELOPING IDEA THE WARRIOR-WRITER WAY

Even with a few publishing credits to my name and a few more contracted books, I still struggle with developing novels. Honestly, so does every writer. Each book faces new challenges.

For two years I focused solely on the craft of writing. It was a gift to myself. I needed to do it to make my writing stronger. Better. The biggest lesson there was that I have much to learn still. Also, applying what you have learned is not always easy. It's hard work.

Which brings me to where I am right now. I'm working on a new book. It is a paranormal romantic suspense. I think. It is still evolving. During the process of developing this idea I came to realize that not only did my writing have to change (improve) but so did I. One of the reasons I wasn't moving forward in my writing was because not everything I was doing had purpose. We are told that every scene must have purpose, it must move the story/characters forward. Well does the process of writing. What I do, how I develop my stories must move me forward, not in circles. I tend to write in circles, but had no idea why.

I'm still not sure I know why, but last night I came to a conclusion. One of the reasons my writing wasn't improving was because I wasn't really open to developing it fully. I would state my idea in a few sentences, get conflict, then think I was done. My mind wasn't open to all the possibilities, even though I thought it was. I was stuck on one thing.

I realized the book I had been working on last year died a painful death because I couldn't see past my idea. Bob Mayer (@Iwhodareswins) teaches that idea is not story. I have always believed him. Give 5 writers the same idea you will have 5 very different stories. However, I never thought that I might have a different story. Last night I realized that ideas need tweaking. They need to evolve and you have to be open to what your subconscious is telling you.

Now, do I have a great handle on what I am doing? No. But I am spending more time with idea and characters, developing them before I write myself into a corner because I really didn't know what I was writing and why. Very important things for a writer to know for themselves in order to make a better book.