tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post1104023085448461393..comments2023-03-30T08:51:55.643-04:00Comments on On Romance Writing: How Do You Get There from Here?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797338879140793709noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-11816043997634704972012-08-09T11:30:07.809-04:002012-08-09T11:30:07.809-04:00I would say I work a lot like you do. I do have t...I would say I work a lot like you do. I do have the major incidents of the plot down, but the details are missing. I mean, I might say, "And then they escape from the psychotic killer," and I have no idea how until I get there. And yes the characters evolve as I write. But our books are so very different.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07797338879140793709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-32154889797653341852012-08-09T11:14:54.889-04:002012-08-09T11:14:54.889-04:00I seem to straddle the right brain/left brain line...I seem to straddle the right brain/left brain line. I DO outline major plot points--sketchily--because I don't want to paint myself into a corner 200 pages in. Characters, on the other hand, evove for me as I write, just as I want them to evolve for the reader based changes wrought by circumstances throughout the narrative. I know my characters' essential nature before I begin, but not the exquisite details which emerge from the story. I hear Elizabeth George writes detailed bios of her chatacters down what toothpaste they prefer before she even gets started. Every author has a different operational M.O. in the real world and that seems to translate into how they approach the writing process.Toby Devenshttp://www.tobydevens.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-70984081540912635792012-08-08T23:25:43.572-04:002012-08-08T23:25:43.572-04:00I guess I thought about left brain/right brain bec...I guess I thought about left brain/right brain because there is such a dichotomy in the field of popular fiction. Some writers can't work unless they have an outline, and some can't write a book if they've outlined it because they've already told themselves the story. I started wondering WHY and realized that the people like me who are very logical need structure.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07797338879140793709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-87957501365191250222012-08-08T23:16:23.491-04:002012-08-08T23:16:23.491-04:00I can't say I ever think much about right brai...I can't say I ever think much about right brain/left brain--think I must rely on them about equally. I definitely agree that being excited about a story idea is critical. Why invest the time on ho-hum when you can work on "oh boy!"nancy baggetthttp://www.kitchenlane.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-52631366835316598042012-08-08T22:31:46.291-04:002012-08-08T22:31:46.291-04:00Hi, Rebecca,
Fun post! Thank you. So far I'...Hi, Rebecca,<br /><br />Fun post! Thank you. So far I've always started out with a plot idea. I'm trying starting with a character this time, though. We'll see how it goes!Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11430896163485086882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-56794304192523553332012-08-08T22:17:56.151-04:002012-08-08T22:17:56.151-04:00A very interesting way of getting into a story! Wh...A very interesting way of getting into a story! Why did you call me Liz?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07797338879140793709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-58606618140268666142012-08-08T21:46:10.384-04:002012-08-08T21:46:10.384-04:00I know I'm very weird, but I usually start wit...I know I'm very weird, but I usually start with an artistic impression, or something about a scene or landscape. It can be walking down a foggy street on a San Francisco night, listening to the fog horn and stepping over homeless people, or it can be standing under the Brooklyn Bridge waiting in line 2 hours for a pizza ... or it can be a country scene. So I'll want to create something that is compelling out of that vibe. I'll be honest, I've only sold short stories with that kick-start, and I struggle with marrying world-building with conflict and pacing. But I still feel that is where the core of my 'voice' is.<br /><br />With indie publishing, I think I'll have more of a chance to write for an audience that appreciates, or resonates with, the stuff I see/feel. (And, of course, with continual work on craft, I hope to hit the notes on bringing out the conflict I see inherent in setting. I don't seem to have a problem with character). <br /><br />I am for sure a plotter, but also need to write myself into a story by 100-150 pages to 'feel' the story!<br /><br />Finally, it's nice to see your blog, Liz. I've seen you on b'zillion of loops, and even exchanged e-mails with you! (grins).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04445250635088830552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-25232312568396922632012-08-08T16:30:16.236-04:002012-08-08T16:30:16.236-04:00Loni, I need to know where I'm going. The deta...Loni, I need to know where I'm going. The details are always missing until I actually write it.<br /><br />Ckcrouch, I just wrote a draft of a book where I pantsed it. I had an outline but it was very sketchy.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07797338879140793709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-29374805237614221972012-08-08T15:01:33.250-04:002012-08-08T15:01:33.250-04:00Hey Rebbeca I sort of work both ways I think. For ...Hey Rebbeca I sort of work both ways I think. For the story I have on hold that I am revising for the third time I think I had a sort of a summary based on an idea for the ending. <br />For Camp NaNo I had a blurb of an idea. I'm just letting it write it will be one of those that collects dust most likely but I'm having fun with it. <br />my email is kcr2696439@aol.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-25058103547770806942012-08-08T12:50:18.488-04:002012-08-08T12:50:18.488-04:00I think I'm more right-brained (pantser) when ...I think I'm more right-brained (pantser) when it comes to writing. I have the idea of the plot (my latest through researching my Romanian heritage) and usually end up with "what if?"<br />I feel if I try to plot it out/outline I lose something along the way--maybe like Terri said, "it sucks the joy..." out of it for me. Or it could be the fact I love to do writing sprints and see where my brain/muse/and fingers have taken me when I'm done.<br /><br />I do need to work more on plotting/logical side so I'm looking forward to hearing more about 'working with the opposite side' later.<br /><br />Thanks Rebecca--always full of great information! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12427417933735772273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-72177306843556252372012-08-08T12:42:32.955-04:002012-08-08T12:42:32.955-04:00It's about a pricess who thinks she can save h...It's about a pricess who thinks she can save her kingdom by being a virgin sacrifice to a dragon. It doesn't turn out the way she expected. Or the way the dragon shifter expected, either.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07797338879140793709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-13342228712263956092012-08-08T12:38:06.538-04:002012-08-08T12:38:06.538-04:00Ah, I got confused with the DARK theme, my bad!
Y...Ah, I got confused with the DARK theme, my bad!<br /><br />You've got me hooked! I HAVE to read it now!Eliza Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07994493785152884398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-63939424775782052382012-08-08T10:12:45.493-04:002012-08-08T10:12:45.493-04:00With Indie publishing, you have the option of doin...With Indie publishing, you have the option of doing it YOUR way.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07797338879140793709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-16133321444492138252012-08-08T10:08:54.591-04:002012-08-08T10:08:54.591-04:00Sometimes, an idea I think is wonderful just doesn...Sometimes, an idea I think is wonderful just doesn't work for an editor. For my latest proposal, the editor didn't like several things. Her suggestion was to make one seem like a bad parent. Ugh! No! This was a great blog about left and right brain functions!Elizabeth Ashtreehttp://www.elizabethashtree.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-78517856706934576232012-08-08T09:56:14.480-04:002012-08-08T09:56:14.480-04:00Whether you are right brained or left brained, you...Whether you are right brained or left brained, you should make an effort to use the skills of the opposite side. I'll talk more about that later.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07797338879140793709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-34763502534056013962012-08-08T09:48:31.429-04:002012-08-08T09:48:31.429-04:00Another great blog. I find these so useful. Thanks...Another great blog. I find these so useful. Thanks!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05365965405364211905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-53994905506603908212012-08-08T09:46:29.295-04:002012-08-08T09:46:29.295-04:00This is a very interesting post. Really gets you t...This is a very interesting post. Really gets you thinking ;)Courtney Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13372526555872970302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-49671123275064636892012-08-08T09:45:56.127-04:002012-08-08T09:45:56.127-04:00I've tried outlining, but it sucks the joy out...I've tried outlining, but it sucks the joy out of the book for me, so I've compromised with myself. Before each chapter, I write the major players who will appear in the scene and what my goal in the scene needs to be. That helps move things along quite nicely. I'm so jealous of you plotters.Terri L. Austinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16155025656323379733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-33670456318030220472012-08-08T09:17:26.579-04:002012-08-08T09:17:26.579-04:00whoops. Email emily.ryandavis @ gmail.comwhoops. Email emily.ryandavis @ gmail.comauthorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16614665823957608338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-667239161701225682012-08-08T09:16:51.042-04:002012-08-08T09:16:51.042-04:00I'm a right-brain writer but in recent years, ...I'm a right-brain writer but in recent years, I've learned to make a deliberate effort to merge the right and the left for the sake of efficiency. Now instead of launching in based upon inspiration (or shortly after I launch in) I make myself stop and write at least a cover copy-style blurb, at most a rough synopsis. My left brain really kicks in during revisions, which is when I make myself focus on the world outside the up-close-and-personal romance.<br /><br />Thanks for yet another great article.authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16614665823957608338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-69318721208477877722012-08-08T09:15:39.050-04:002012-08-08T09:15:39.050-04:00Yes, great to finally see you in person. We don...Yes, great to finally see you in person. We don't HAVE TO do anything. It's just the way it works out for us. For me, it's the logic, and I have to stop and think about the emotions.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07797338879140793709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-81821451115678522442012-08-08T09:13:17.140-04:002012-08-08T09:13:17.140-04:00Ohmigosh, Ruth, we have to use our brain to write?...Ohmigosh, Ruth, we have to use our brain to write??? Lol. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't! :) Good to see you at conference. I'm a total right brainer! Well, the left brain takes over sometimes when the right brain is being a total spaz. :)Terry Spearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14788961423817944896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-57621305054203374012012-08-08T08:37:10.557-04:002012-08-08T08:37:10.557-04:00I realize I have a lot of DARK novels. This one...I realize I have a lot of DARK novels. This one's DARK MAGIC. One of my medieval fantasy novellas.<br /><br />I really loved the virgin/prego heroine. Actually, the hero in that book is to die for. One of my best, if I do say so. And a very memorable love scene--since she's reluctant to do it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07797338879140793709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-5962465045217137942012-08-08T08:28:04.129-04:002012-08-08T08:28:04.129-04:00Great post, Rebecca! I am totally a Lefter. I plot...Great post, Rebecca! I am totally a Lefter. I plot out the entire thing in a notebook first. When I sit down to type, the story is already done, I just have to get it into the document. I love to watch the scenes unfold this way, and I'm still surprised and filled with angst :)<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your process, and I think the idea of a virgin/prego heroine is hilarious, I have to read that!<br /><br />PS. I too have Dark Moon already :)Eliza Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07994493785152884398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-14919661378706957672012-08-08T08:25:30.631-04:002012-08-08T08:25:30.631-04:00The whole left brain/right brain thing is fascinat...The whole left brain/right brain thing is fascinating to me as someone whose first career was as a biologist. I was always a little too intuitive to fit in in that world, but now that I write, I'm a little more left-brained than most of my colleagues. Being right in the middle, or close to it at least, means my process is a mix of plotting and free-fall but it works for me. (at least most of the time.) <br /><br />And I have Dark Moon, so don't enter me in the contest, ;-)Cindy Spencer Papehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01583236494759465431noreply@blogger.com