http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php
Yes, my wife and I have opted to try out Randy Ingermanson's rather systematic methodology. No, we're not following it religiously, but we're working pretty hard on the gist of it. It almost feels like cheating, since we're not supposed to actually start writing for our NaNoWriMo stories until November, but we're being good. It *is* actually getting a lot of groundwork done, and getting us inspired, and working out a lot of kinks that would otherwise have ended up drifting off into dead ends.
It also strips away some of the fuzzy stuff that gives depth to a novel. Read a Stephen King -- he doesn't plan, just writes by the seat of his pants. His plots generally suck, but his characters truly blossom, and that's what any decent story is really about, the characters. His books get a little fuzzy, but they're rich. On the other hand, I like Michael Crichton: his research is consistently good for all I can tell, and he writes solid stories about really interesting topics, to me anyway...but his characters are sticks. They have no soul, no depth, and incite no real empathy. When they suffer (if you even notice) it's like lines from a newspaper article. I think Crichton maybe uses some method like this. His books are like assembly-line products, sturdy and clean and dependable, but not the hand-crafted pieces (with the commensurate flaws that prove it) turned out by those more commonly referred to as the masters.
I'm pretty sure Tolkien didn't use a "method". I've seen few books that make me cry every time I read them like "Lord of the Rings". It's a nightmare of a design, but I wouldn't change a word.
So... I'm using a Method to prepare, and will likely apply it when editing in December (assuming I'm done by then), but please feel free to slap me if it seems I've completely "sold out" and am bowing purely to word count and marketing. This story isn't one I really *feel* the way I usually do with things I write, but it's a challenge, and a fabricated plotline for that specific task...so I'm going to think of it as a litmus test. If I can make these "Mary Sue" me-on-paper characters come alive and get personalities of their own without overly complicating the work, I'll believe I can actually have a chance of switching careers and becoming a professional writter, something I've always wanted to do.
Wish me luck...and inspiration.
We'll probably start writing after all the trick-or-treating is done. =o]
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2 comments:
Ok, I must take umbrage at the Stephen King-plots-sucks comment, even though I have to say that his plots are not always as rich as the characters. Cell is one example. That story seemed to go nowhere really. Then again, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption had a great storyline and memorable characters.
As for Lord of the Rings trilogy-I wish to take nothing from Tolkien, there is no question that he is a master. But I found his fuzzies sufficiently irritating to distract me from finishing even one book. There were too many lines that went off into nowhere, outrageously long descriptions that made the point that the object was important, but really did not need to be there. There were even characters that served no purpose save to be endearing and lengthen the book.
All that said, I would love to write as Stephen King does, even with some of the go-nowhere plots. Its an acceptable sacrifice, and having read a great many more of his works than my hubby, I can say it isn't the case every time. But if I can have the best of both worlds, a great story and memorable characters,as Tolkien does despite the fuzzies, I'll have accomplished much more than I ever expected.
heheh...agreed, and agreed, and yup. Of course, to say after the fact that "sucks" was just a word to make a point sounds trite, and instead I'll take the lesson that not everyone understands my quirked modes of expression.
And there's no argument with your assessment of LotR; I said it was a trainwreck as far as design, and obviously the effect is measured by the reader. I love it no less.
See? She's always right. ;oD
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