So it’s been about 6 days since I decided to get serious about Writing a Novel. Here’s the rundown of what I accomplished:
- Started sketching the 2 main characters, Kacey and Josh. For each, I listed full names, ages, birthdates (researched astrological signs to choose the birthdates), brief description of physical appearance and personal style, family members with names and sibling ages, about 20 descriptive adjectives, 4 defining values, a few characteristics, a short list of things s/he struggles with, vices, indulgences, secret wish, fears, regrets, things about self s/he doesn’t want to face, and things about self s/he doesn’t want others to know.
- Read about the Snowflake Method and decided to use it as the framework for developing the novel.
- Completed SFM step 1: Write a 1-sentence summary of the novel. I looked at the NYT bestseller list for examples, and I ended up with 3 versions of my 1-sentence summary.
- Wrote the opening scene, just to see how it felt. I’m sure I won’t end up using it, but I had to try it.
- Completed SFM step 2: From step 1, create a full paragraph describing major events and the ending. I used the 3 Act Structure to do this, and ended up with a summary paragraph about 200 words long.
- Completed SFM step 3: Revise 1-sentence summary.
- Completed SFM step 4: Expand each sentence in the summary paragraph into a full paragraph. Not sure I followed the 1:1 sentence–>paragraph expanded summary, but I ended up with a 850 word expanded summary.
- Progress on SFM step 5: Write a 1-page description of each major character, and a 1/2-page description of each important minor character. I already had quite a bit for the 2 main characters, but I still need to do some narrative that tells the story from each of their perspectives – I haven’t gotten to the point where I’m enough in either of their heads to feel like I can do this. Wrote about 1/2 page on Eric, Josh’s brother. Need to do the same for Jesse, Kacey’s boyfriend. Also need to think about who some of the other minor characters will be. Josh’s manager, probably. Who else…?
- A little reading about conflict, characters and conflict, and writing dialogue.
I have to admit, I’m rather thrilled with how the steps in the SFM have helped me progress from nothing to a few pages of summary and character descriptions. It takes effort, certainly, but it’s coming. And I feel like the details of the story are really takingĀ on more shape and definition with each step – I realize now that without the SFM I’d be flailing around, trying to write a story whose details weren’t yet well enough articulated. The SFM is forcing me to really know what the story is, what the points of conflict are, and who the characters are. There’s still a mountain of details to work out, but the important thing is that I’m making progress.
I think one big challenge will be putting enough drama into the characters lives to make it a compelling story. In my own life, I’ll go to great lengths to avoid drama, conflict, and confrontation. But a novel without those things would be a boring pile of words, indeed.
I’ve bounced a few ideas around with D, and he’s helped me work out some issues. He’s made some good points about plot details, specifically when it comes to writing about the music industry. One thing we talked about was using really current cultural references, like Wii, Twitter, etc. I decided these things are a natural and important part of my story, so I’m not going to worry about the ramifications of including these types of details – if they end up being problematic, I assume an editor would clue me in.
A practical challenge is having long enough stretches of uninterrupted time to get into the zone and really get something accomplished. Looking back over the week, I suppose I did as much as a person with a full-time day job could do, but I think it was on my mind so much that all the time I wasn’t able to work on it, I was wishing I could.
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