Be Kind to Your Story

Ruv Draba · May 1, 2010

This is the thread for talking about the extra effort we put into our stories -- even and especially on days we don't want to.

Had a really long writing session? Spent extra effort on character research? Just finished your eighth full rewrite? Post it here.

Midnight Star · May 1, 2010

I'm on the eighth draft of my WIP. That's because it was originally my NaNo novel, and it's the first (non-crappy) mystery I've ever written. Sometimes it gets tiring because I keep changing the plot, but I promise that I won't stop until it's published.

Needless to say, I've put in a lot of effort this weekend (so far, at least). I hope to finish revising by the end of this month.

mtrenteseau · May 1, 2010

I've spent significant chunks of two trips to New York doing such things as timing the subway between locations, verifying how people would exit a certain church after services, and noting which stores along a stretch of Madison Avenue would be most likely to distract one of my MCs having a conversation.

Right now I'm working on my query letter, taking all criticism into consideration and trying to make it something that will appeal to a good agent. Which also means that when the query departs from the actual book, I have to decide which one has to change.

heyjude · May 2, 2010

Yay! Great thread, Ruv.

Yesterday I finished the first draft of my assignment. I'm so excited. Today I'll do some edits, then set it aside to marinate. Whew!

HistorySleuth · May 2, 2010

I want to work on outlining a different ending.

MarkEsq · May 2, 2010

Well, this weekend I finished the final (for now) read through. Tomorrow morning it's off to my agent in a box for her to read and then, if she approves of my changes, pass along to an editor.

And then, for once, some waiting.

SJ Gordon · May 2, 2010

I very recently finished the first draft of my first mystery. Woo! I've let it sit for a time so it can think about it's behavior and now, I'm working on the Dreaded Edits of DOOM. I have a million little things to tweak and a handfull of larger things but, so far, I'm feeling pretty good.

HistorySleuth · May 2, 2010

Those are exciting weekends writing wise! Outlining is working good. Not only is it helping to decide which ending I want, I'm plugging some holes and solved one of thise how does A get to B type things, if that makes sense.

SJ Gordon · May 2, 2010

I'm a firm believer in outlines, myself. I know they don't work for everyone and it's probably best not to obsess over them. Still, I feel as if having the plan, even if I diverge from it, keeps me on target and keeps the story moving forward. So, feel very good about your outlining! Making the sorts of decisions you're grappling with now is very satisfying, isn't it?

Midnight Star · May 2, 2010

I usually don't do a full outline; it's more like a "this, this, this, and this will happen in this order"-type thing. But it works for me. It keeps me in line but allows freedom to deviate.

Ruv Draba · May 2, 2010

I've been trying to write a story around the same themes for three shorts and two novel attempts, but haven't yet been satisfied with the thematic exposition. For this third novel attempt, my research has taken me into the stone and wooden tool-crafing, blacksmithing, orange dwarf stars, supervolcanoes, minerology, and amphibians. Ultimately though I think it'll be a political suspense story -- or so I hope. Previous research on the same themes has taken me into Afghan culture, convict settlement in Australia, the River War, and the role of demimondaines in 19th century Europe.

Namatu · May 3, 2010

Ruv, that expanse of topics for your research is excellent!

I was kind to my story by entering hard copy corrections into the electronic file. A little thing, but something's always better than nothing.

Ruv Draba · May 3, 2010

It's been very interesting research, Namatu, but it does smack of "Ruv's overthinking again, and missing the point of his story". I'm doing my best to address that though this time around.

And yes, little frequent kindnesses to our story make it thrive.

mccardey · May 3, 2010

I finished the agent's suggestions and sent it off for her to re-read on Friday - so I'm being kind by not worrying about it now, because It's Done and It Will Be Fine

Today I'm going to get back to that wonderful pre-book stage where catching up on current events, reading, thinking, talking, art, music - all those glorious things - come back with the luxury of time around them. Two weeks of that and then I'll start on the new book I've begun playing with. I know it won't become a full book, but it will introduce me to some characters I might want to start getting to know

I love this stage - anything's possible !

HistorySleuth · May 4, 2010

I was very kind to my story over the last three days. Picked up on some holes by outling and experimenting with a different killer, and solved a how do I go from this to that problem. I'm happy.

Namatu · May 5, 2010

Ruv Draba said:
It's been very interesting research, Namatu, but it does smack of "Ruv's overthinking again, and missing the point of his story". I'm doing my best to address that though this time around.

I like to see it as informing myself enough to be able to add subtle nuance to my story. I feel that reasoning justifies all of my research quite well.

Exile87 · May 5, 2010

Oddly enough, I really like writing by hand on occasion! So if I'm going someplace boring, or where I'll be doing a bit of waiting, I take a notebook with me and go to town. It's extra work typing it up, but it seems to really get the creativity flowing. And it's a sure way to prevent myself from doing needless editing and rereading past scenes...

HistorySleuth · May 5, 2010

Welcome Exile87! You and Kaitie will have a lot in common. She writes while she rides the train to work.

Namatu · May 6, 2010

My best scenes are the ones I've handwritten. Sometimes I can't bear to look at the computer. Pen and paper are great alternatives.

Jess Haines · May 6, 2010

Scrapped and started over four times on book #3 so far. Here's hoping this one's the winner... *g*

HistorySleuth · May 10, 2010

I wasn't that kind to my story over the weekend. I had a historian's conference on Saturday, and Mom day yesterday my oldest drove out from Buffalo. However, I was nice in the fact that I showed it off to my oldest. We talked about different ways to dispose of bodies. I raised him well.

Midnight Star · May 10, 2010

I wasn't very kind to my story because of Mother's Day. Mommy comes first.

BUT, i've had three cups of espresso this morning and will probably get out about two thousand words today. It's starting to kick in...

heyjude · May 10, 2010

I was so kind I finished the edits and submitted! Yay! I feel like dancing! (In the middle of Panera, do you think anyone will mind?)

Midnight Star · May 10, 2010

No, but I'd put it on video and then post it on Facebook.

HistorySleuth · May 11, 2010

Midnight Star said:
No, but I'd put it on video and then post it on Facebook.

Be Kind to Your Story

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Clever title pending.

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We are once in a lifetime.

Researching History's Mysteries