I took a hike this weekend up one of the local Arizona mountains. Even with the juniper pollen bugging my allergies, I enjoyed it. I think the renewal of time spent outdoors is something we lack in our modern society. As a species, we originated with an intimate connection with nature that we have distanced ourselves from with each succeeding generation.
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I admit it. I occasionally watch episodes of the entirely dull Murder She Wrote series in order to fall asleep. Sometimes they are cute and the plots are tolerable, but most of all it reminds me of the years when I was assigned as a law enforcement ranger in “Cabot Cove” where the story usually takes place. Cabot Cove is really Mendocino, California, a truly lovely part of the state.. I was sitting on the edge of the Grand Canyon listening to a speaker who was telling us that in 35 years the prediction is that the Colorado River below will be dry from over use by continued development in the Southwest. It already is pretty much dry by the time it reaches the ocean. I found this thought unsettling (at minimum) as I’m sure most of those did who were seated around me in the moment. It set me to wondering a bit and it made me think about why I write fiction. I think it is because when I am writing fiction, I am in complete control of the world I create. As difficult as it often gets in creating that story, I am still in complete control to make it bend to my will. That is pure satisfaction when I succeed. I just got a haircut. I think I met Geronimo’s great granddaughter. I should have known better when I saw she had purple hair with red highlights and rings stapled into most of her face and appendages. I asked her to trim an inch off of everything. When it was all done I had been scalped down almost to bare skin. She had actually cut at least two-and-one-half inches off. She seemed very competent in her cutting skills, making it evenly done everywhere. I am convinced it was not her hair-cutting skills, it was that she had been to public school and graduated in America and basically had no clue how long an inch was.
It’s usually the fundamentals that get you shot down in life. Are you planning a book signing event? It can be a wonderful opportunity to get the word out on an author or authors, or it can be a miserable failure. So, what makes it a success? A successful book signing event allows the author to get the word out on what kind of books he or she writes, but more than anything it gives the author a chance to sell himself or herself as a person. Don’t ever underestimate that part of it. Inevitably, you will find an event that tells you to sit in a room with 20 other authors and smile at everyone who walks by. Perhaps you have an opportunity to chat with some, but in no way do you have a concerted opportunity to present a cogent speech on who you are and what you write. If you want to write fiction you need an idea for a story. Duh! But there’s a lot more too it that you have to decide.
Taking that good idea and putting a skeleton plot outline together first is so much better than "pantsing" it. I've done it both ways and I'm convinced that, at least for something more than a short story, it's the best way to go, and it doesn't have to be elaborate. Five pages on a chart that says who's in the scene, where it's set, the basic actions and thoughts, and the hook/lead to the next chapter. Also, recognize as your story evolves you will have changes that may need to be made to the outline...don't be afraid to do it, but plan and think of the consequences and jot some notes in your outline for the impacts on future chapters. |
Greg
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