Production and Confession

I had a very productive plotting/planning session yesterday. I filled in most of the smaller plot holes and learned even more about my characters. And while this might sound odd coming from a long-time writer, I experienced an “Ah ha!” moment: characters really do generate plot.

You have my permission to laugh.

I KNEW that characters generate plot, but I struggled to UNDERSTAND the concept. Writing by the seat of my pants has been my general drafting method. Cause and effect only concerned me as it occurred. I have over-written, chased a few shiny rabbit plot ideas, and dented my head on brick walls. And I’ve found this to be a less-than-satisfactory method, especially when I struggle with diminished attention span – or is it increasing ‘bright, shiny object syndrome’?

Yesterday, as I reviewed my characters’ mind maps, all sorts of big and little conflict situations leapt up and waved furiously. Wow! Cool stuff! And then it occurred to my foggy brain that THIS is what’s meant by characters generating plot. The fog vanished in the light of revelation. Now I get it.

I grabbed a stack of file cards and recorded idea after idea as they jumped around. Today, I play ‘cards’ and insert more details into my plot.

I’m excited about my novel and my characters. I am ready to burn ink.