I wouldn’t be stretching the truth-taffy if I stated that the group of people who write is so diverse that it would be impossible to categorize them as a whole neatly.
A number of these writers enjoy the writing process almost as much as the finished book.
Many, but not all, will admit this attitude.
“I hate writing, but I love having written.”
– George R. R. Martin
I enjoy every step of the writing process.
Each step and lesson is an essential tool that may come in handy someday.
- Story seed idea germination
- Research
- Outline
- Synopsis
- Editing
- First draft – eighth draft
- More editing
I love it all.
PLOT BLENDER: One tool I like to use is the Plot Blender.
I take two or three things that happened to me or that I read about and blend them into something unique.
I keep asking questions like, “What if the broken window isn’t random but a code signal for a follow-up action later?”
I used the Plot Blender for my short story Set Path.
First, I focus on recalling and retaining things that inspired me or seemed unusual.
For example, I remembered seeing a father and son setting traps in a remote area, and I blended that with an incident involving my husband and son.
From this initial mix of setting, events, and mysterious incidents, I kept asking myself questions.
Imagination fuels the brainstorming, and all possibilities are entertained at the beginning.
This is how my Set Path story organically started: with a Plot Blender strategy.
Whether using a Plot Blender or another strategy to get your story going, be very careful not to use real people or events unless you’ve been permitted to do so.
Always be respectful of privacy.
A character in your story should never be recognizable to anyone, especially the person whose identity you’ve only lightly disguised.
As an advice columnist used to say, “I’m sure, dear reader, that you already know this important courtesy you must extend graciously and generously.”
Finally, like any good story recipe, I let it simmer on the back burner until I decide it’s ready to serve.
The result is my finished story.
I think the use of the Plot Blender is cool:
Thank you for letting us know a little about how you work in the writing world 🙂
I’m happy you’ve enjoyed my blog! Happy writing.