Plot Holes

They're mean little buggers that will pop up out of nowhere. It's the only disadvantage to writing fiction versus non-fiction. Those damn plot holes are way too easy when I'm creating something out of nothing.

The plot hole this time, started in chapter 5, and grew into a monster of a beast when I tried to start chapter 8. So, this what I'll have to do. Rewrite about half of chapter 5, make it less filler and more content. Chapter 6 will only need a couple of very minor tweaks, deleting a sentence, changing some words, nothing more. Half of chapter 7 needs to be either rewritten or replaced and moved to chapter 8. This is the weaving aspect of telling a tale. It's a lot like a jigsaw puzzle where you just can't tell where the pieces will fit until you move things around.

Chapter 5 - Rewrite
Chapter 6 - Minor tweaks
Chapter 7 - Rewrite/or move half a section
Chapter 8 - Will fall into place once all of that is done

Everyone following me? No? Well, I didn't really expect you to, and that's okay.

Some authors, and yes I've seen this happen, will write too much to overcompensate a plot hole they created, rather than going back and fixing it properly. As I'm sure you can tell, I'm not one of those authors. I couldn't care less how much work it takes to make the story flow properly again. The work is worth is because once I clean this up, I can go back to plowing until the story is finished (or until I run into another plot hole).

Back to writing...

Filler Chapters

My writing marathon the other day worked out well. I finished two chapters and I'm almost finished the next. After I finished chapter 5, I realized why it was a drag for me. It's a filler chapter, haha!

I normally plan filler chapters in advance, or at least know when a filler chapter is needed before it's written. But chapter 5 snuck up on me. As far as fillers go, it's the most interesting filler I've ever written. I'm seriously laughing about this. I was so eager to get to the fun stuff in chapter 6, I almost didn't write chapter 5. And I still didn't realize 5 is filler. Go figure.

Filler chapters are often a necessary evil. They can seem like a chore, but very much needed to maintain a consistent thread through the story. A brige between two points, if you will. I've read books where it seems the author couldn't tell the difference between filler and just making crap up. Unfortunate, because there's a huge difference.

Fillers still have a plot, or at least a reminder of the plot. It would be downright silly for me to write a chapter about something completely unrelated. Something like, a choreographed disco dance around a bonfire in the middle of a post-apocalypse story, where disco doesn't exist. Humorous, but silly and unnecessary. Might be appropriate if I was writing a parody, but I'm not.

So it is important to maintain related content in filler chapters for a novel. Graphic novels and comic books (though they're the same thing, really) can have cute fillers with a subplot. But they're still related! It might be easier in comics, because of the visual similarities, but the same principle applies to novel writing. The fillers should have a purpose - further the plot, introduce a new character, provide a moment of comedy relief, etc. This is all a part of the craft of creative writing. Every chapter, pargraph, every single word, should be there for a conscious reason.

In essence, filler chapters should read like they're not fillers at all. How an author organizes elements, and how the reader perceives these elements, two different things. In novel writing, filler is a term for the author, but never seen by the readers.

Where's YOUR entry?

It's September 1st, are you getting your entries ready for the Halloween Contest? Remember, you only have until Oct. 30! Get your entries ready :D

I'm looking into possibly posting my screenplay online. The idea makes me VERY nervous, but I'm being brave and looking into it. What I'm thinking is posting an excerpt only, maybe keep the title hidden, or use a generic title. "Screenplay" by Lily. Something like that. I would really like some feedback, but the question for me is, at what cost? Feedback is wonderful, but theft sucks royally, and eliminating chances of having this script picked up sucks even more. I'm just not sure. Well, I'm looking into it.

In the meantime, I've gotten back to work on chapter 5. Can you believe it? I'm already on chapter 5! That's so cool. I love the fact I can write fast and I'm not the type to take years just to produce a single chapter. If I were that type, I would get so frustrated with myself. I love writing fast :)

Since I've gotten far enough with this one, I'm finding it's the same case as chapter 4. Too much for one chapter, move on to next chapter. More than likely, at this point, it would be best to just keep writing regardless of chapter number.

And here I go, diving back into the story...

(Don't forget to get your entries ready and submitted to the Halloween Contest by Oct 30).

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Lily...

First, I apologize. I hope no one thinks I've abandoned my series. I'm sorry if anyone got that impression.

Second... I wrote my very first screenplay!!! And I love it!!!

Yes, I had to say that.

I'm creative, I always have been for as long as I can remember. I was the kid who did crazy things like make sculptures out of tissue, cutout snowflakes out of old school papers, and origami out of napkins when I was bored. I even tried writing screenplays when I was 14, but that didn't work out because I still had a lot to learn. People would tell me I'm weird, I'm lazy, I'm not focused enough, blah blah whatever.

Here's the deal. I'm just naturally creative. Honestly, I couldn't help it even if I tried. (And I don't want to try). Everyone has their thing. Some are really good at math and grow up to become bankers. Some are good at building things and become architects. Me? I'm creative. I make things up out of nothing. And no, that's not being weird. That's being creative. So I've grown up to be a writer of fiction. No surprise there.

I'm an artist. Always have been. I know, I know, the word artist has such a negative connotation. That's only because there have been many people who call themselves artists, but aren't. Thus giving the false idea that all artists must be full of shit. That guy at the cafe who is always loudly talking about creating his next masterpiece of an oil painting? Not an artist, he's s poser who just like to talk. Real artists have something to show for themselves. A book, a painting, a poem, or a screenplay. Real artists work their asses off and finish their projects no matter what. Real artists don't just talk. They DO.

On the flip side of the coin, there have been many people, authors, painters, designers, etc, who work their little buns off but never create art. Thus giving the impression those who work hard can't be real artists. Also, see above.

Contrary to popular opinion, being an artist isn't all it's cracked up to be. It's often thankless work. No one remembers your name, but at least they never forget your work for what it is - real art.

What defines an artist? How can you tell a person is a real artist? Simple. Passion and dedication.

So rest assured, even though I've been working on a screenplay, not only did I finish it, I will finish my series.

Because I'm an artist :)

I Slaved Away All Night

Introducing the official unofficial map for the official unofficial writing project.

Ready?

Wait for it...

Here it comes...

The map!

*reveals*

Ta-da!

Always Know Your Audience

Here's a topic that tends to confuse writers. Some say you should write for yourself while others say you should write for your readers while everyone says you should write what you know. I both agree and disagree. Let me explain before I confuse you even more.

When I'm actively writing a story, I'm in the story. I'm living and breathing this story until it fully comes to life. It's not possible for me to write for anyone but myself when I'm in the story. I only have one brain after all. No can be both the writer and the audience.

But, if I don't know who I'm writing for, or at least have a general idea of the kind of people who would enjoy this story, then things could get pretty screwed up. It would be silly for me to write a futuristic post-apocalypse story in the style of an adult novel and then try to sell it as YA fantasy. Not to mention, I'd have a hell of a time trying to get it published.

See, it's not about writing for anyone specific. It's about knowing and truly understanding the genre you're writing. You should always know your audience, but you should also write for yourself.

Truth be told, knowing your audience isn't innate knowledge. It's not like knowing how to flip a burger before you get a job at McDonald's. Creative writing isn't a job, it's a craft. The scary truth is, it takes experience. I know, I know, for authors who are just starting or haven't published anything yet, that can seem like a catch 22. How are you suppose to gain experience in order to gain experience?

What I do, is just talk to people. Friends, family, people I'll meet online, readers I'll encounter. I'm constantly filing away info about likes and dislikes, and how it could relate to the subject I'm writing. I also read all kinds of material, from books, both fiction and nonfiction, to articles, scientific magazines, lots of reading. That's experience. That's writing what you know.

So, I'm getting into Chapter 1. I've found I need to create a new name for a fictional, though plausible, illness. I could make up gibberish or use pig latin, but I know that's not the kind of audience I'll have. So after some discussion and thought, I've decided to rename certain things, using words people are already familiar with, rather than creating a name no one has heard of, because I know my audience :)

Prologue!!!

Wow, that took much longer than I expected. Real life got in the way, and as it turned out I still needed to do some research. But! The rough draft of the prologue is finished. Finally. Phew.

There's a lot involved with this story, and it is a series, so I think I'll be doing research until the whole series is finished. I don't mind this at all. I often stop in the middle of whatever I'm writing and quickly look things up, then go back to writing. It's all a part of the process better known as crafting a story.

For the most part, I do tend to just plow through, keep putting one word after another until it's done. But sometimes I have to stop and give something some thought before I can go on. It's so dependent on such small details, I couldn't begin to describe it all. Just, you know, trust me on this one ;)

Now for the fun stuff and the actual crafting. The first chapter...

Brr

Ice has very interesting properties. Just saying.

I wrote a little poem...

It just popped into my head while I was working on the prologue. I find the poem useful as an introduction, to help set the mood, so I'm putting it in there.

Poetry is highly subjective and the poem may or may not work. If it gets cut in the long run, no harm done. At worse, I'll post the poem on my website and say, "Look, I wrote this little poem to go with this story but it didn't make the final cut!"

Welcome to all new followers!

I'm happy you've decided to follow my blog, it's great to see you here. For those who have blogs of their own, leave a comment with your blog url and I'll follow yours as well :)

For the new followers (stalkers), to catch you up on this blog, I'm currently working on a major writing project and I'm sharing the details of the creative process. I will be posting daily. Don't worry, I haven't been posting about the project for very long, so it's not too late to jump on board.

Death is Not the End

Not much to report today, Saturday and all. But I can tell you I'm reading through obituaries for further research. Trust me, it's a good thing.

(Major points to anyone who can identify the quote used as the title for this post... without using google).