You Have To "Scene" It To Believe It

Ok, so I know my whole story on my young adult paranormal. I have the characters, the setting, the major events, the beginning and the end. My journey thus far has been a lot of fun. I gave up trying to go from beginning to end. My mind just doesn't seem to work that way. I have a long-winded file filled with scenes, jumping around the pages like a Mexican jumping bean. My latest free-flowing thought process involves just dialogue. I put my characters in a setting with a general purpose and let them talk. It's amazing what comes out of their mouths. I've read about this way of writing, but even in my first novel, it didn't flow as fast as it is this time around. I figure when my characters are done talking, done putting their two cents in the pot, that is when I will start connecting the dots. I'm not in a rush anymore and I would venture to guess that is probably the biggest reason why my characters are willing to share their lives with me...Seth, Dani, Justin, Dirk, I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

A Little Help From My Friends

When left to one's own devices, it's easy to go astray or just not go anywhere at all. Too many distractions or not enough stimulation or motivation. Thus the computer screen stays blank or not turned on at all, or the pad of paper is left to gather dust. Ah, but the laundry is done, the house is clean, and the car has been washed.

If you want to be a writer, act like one. One way is to start a writing group, and that is what my writing friends and I did. What a huge difference. We meet twice a month and when we meet we share our stories and ideas and agree the next time we meet, we bring something to the table to discuss, namely another chapter, paragraph, or even an idea. This holds us all accountable and keeps us motivated to produce. I get all jazzed to show my group what I have done, and in the process get instant feedback on my work, be it praise, criticism, or the discovery of plot problems. What a great place for honest feedback. What this group offers me goes beyond what I first envisioned. Yeah, it goes way beyond. Our vortex of success.