So while some of you might be frantically scribbling ideas at this stage of the process, planning, shaping characters, and doing all those things that authors do, I'm walking around the streets, repeating the title over and over to myself (yes, I admit, sometimes out loud, and sometimes within earshot of other people...) waiting for the characters to tell me what their story is. In fact, I'm actually waiting for the characters too.
This morning I woke up with two thoughts: chocolate and tattoos. I don't know how or if this relates to my new idea (or perhaps I just want both in real life... actually, yes I do!) but it's pretty interesting watching these disparate parts come together.
I'm starting to think that the first draft of this story is worthy of the handmade notebook that my kids bought me several years ago, and which has been waiting for the right story ever since. If any of you have a similar notebook/journal, then you'll know that this is quite a big deal.
And now I just have to wait for the characters, plot, theme, and story to appear.
This morning I woke up with two thoughts: chocolate and tattoos. I don't know how or if this relates to my new idea (or perhaps I just want both in real life... actually, yes I do!) but it's pretty interesting watching these disparate parts come together.I'm starting to think that the first draft of this story is worthy of the handmade notebook that my kids bought me several years ago, and which has been waiting for the right story ever since. If any of you have a similar notebook/journal, then you'll know that this is quite a big deal.
And now I just have to wait for the characters, plot, theme, and story to appear.
Ladies and gentlemen, this isn't just pantsing, this is ultimate pantsing.
Lovely journal. Glad you found a story worth writing in it. :) (And I totally get what a big deal that is.) ;)
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
I didn't think I would find the right story for it, I'm glad too :-)
DeleteThat journal is beautiful! I also have a lot of them lying around, waiting for the perfect story to write in them. How exciting that the story that's still forming in your mind is going to be The One! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThe problem with it is I really want it to be perfect straight away!
DeleteYou're outlining in your head!
ReplyDeleteThat makes me sound so much more productive than I feel, Diane, thank you :-)
DeleteI love those moments! It's reminds me of the electricity in the air you can feel building before a storm...the storm of creativity and writing. :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Yes, it's very similar, that prickle of anticipation.
DeleteI love those moments, too. I was just saying to my writers group recently that I love it when staring out the window just thinking about characters and plot and whatever can actually be considered as work.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I love that journal/notebook.
Happy writing (or thinking)!
I've spent the last couple of days listening to music - great inspiration, I just haven't found the right album yet! I love the term 'work' with regard to writing :-)
DeleteYou're right, it has to be something really good to write in a notebook like that! Happy thinking! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhich is why it's taken me so long. Every time I want to write in it, I'm scared the idea sucks :-(
DeleteYes! I have a notebook like that. I don't write my novels out by hand anymore, but when I did, I bought tons of them. I still have a bunch of them stacked in some boxes in the garage. Good luck finding your characters--I'm sure they're just playing a little hide and seek.
ReplyDeleteI think so much more easily when I can see the ink flowing out of my fountain pen. I'm imagining all my characters hiding behind my sofa right now, and trying to resist turning to look lol!
DeleteThat is such a beautiful notebook! Instead of pantsing I call it percolating. My theory is the subconscious does all the work and then suddenly you are so filled with subconscious thoughts about your new book that your just sit down and write and write and write.
ReplyDeletePercolating is a great word for it - very accurate!
DeleteMaybe a tattoo of a chocolate bar?? :D
ReplyDeleteIt must be the right story if you think it's ready for 'the notebook'. Best of luck with it, too!
I totally want a tattoo of a chocolate bar now! The only problem would be, which to choose... and getting the idea past Hubby :-)
DeleteIt's always been difficult for me to come up with a title; I usually come up with one after I finish writing the story. A woman who used to work for The New Yorker told me that you can use a word or a line from the story as the title, which a lot of authors have done.
ReplyDeleteI like anything with chocolate in it. Maybe your story could have a tattoo artist as one of the characters.
Titles are usually easy for me, except for the novel I'm finishing up at the moment - still no title, not even if I apply the line from the story idea. Oh well, it'll come.
DeleteChocolate is the best! I was thinking of having a character with a tattoo, maybe a girl, maybe a dragon... Oh wait a minute... :-)
Nice to see you getting excited about the title:)
ReplyDeleteSounds like there's some wonderful things in store for you, just ahead!
I use to keep special notebooks. Now its the 99 cents type in different colors. These I use dated, and use daily. Often however, a project will be assigned a color, but soon enough, I have run out of notebooks, and I'm in too much of hurry to jot my notes down fast,that these project notebooks also get filled and cluttered with my daily notes! I have got to stop doing that!
Have a wonderful weekend Annalisa!
I get that all the time, the sudden need to write things down - I usually fall upon envelopes first... And then those envelopes get tidied away and I lose the idea!
DeleteHave a good weekend yourself!
Hey I'm a pantser too and still get stuff done. Eventually. Best of luck with your new novel.
ReplyDeleteI find it takes me a lot longer to get into a project, but it's worth it when I get there :-)
DeleteWoohoo for a bright new shiny title! I hope your characters step up to the plate soon and let you in on what the book's about. Good luck! (I have the opposite problem -- a bright new shiny idea, 75% outlined in the past 10 days, but a sucky title.)
ReplyDeleteI suppose we can't be lucky enough to have it all at once, Lexa. I hope your find your title soon.
DeleteAre you sure it's pantsing? I mean just because all the plotting and planning is in your head and not on paper doesn't mean there isn't a plan. I mean if you know exactly where and how to get somewhere, you don't need to draw yourself a map, right?
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't know where I'm going, how I'm getting there, or even where I'm starting from... so I'm going with 'pantsing' at the moment. It'll change at some point, but not yet :-)
DeleteYay for a new title and idea! Titles usually come last for me, if they come to me at all. Sometimes I have to beg the help of my CPs to come up with one! And what a story it must be to earn the honor of being in such an awesome notebook. :) Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI struggle to write without a title. I *hope* it's a great story...
DeleteSounds exciting. I love it when I get that feeling.
ReplyDeleteIt's great, isn't it?
DeleteNow I'm intrigued! Anything involving chocolate and tattoos sounds appealing to me. Yay for sparks that ignite!
ReplyDeleteI think the chocolate might just be my snack of choice while I'm writing, but I've never written about chocolate, so now might be a good time to try.
DeleteYou're letting it come naturally. I finally wrote down the basic outline for a story that has bounced around my head for months. Hopefully we both come up with something good.
ReplyDeleteYay! Alex is writing! Glad to hear you haven't abandoned fiction :-)
DeleteChocolates and tats are things I want too! Yes, maybe this is the tale your lovely notebook awaited all this time...But if you're not sure, write in pencil! ;-)
ReplyDeleteSome Dark Romantic
Lol, good idea on the pencil!
DeleteHow awesome to have the title and other ideas come up... a new notebook is in order. I have a few that I jot down notes on different story ideas:) Hope the characters come and visit you soon:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tania. I'm hoping so too :-)
DeleteI like how you're letting it come to you rather than overtly pursuing it. Seems to be more natural that way.
ReplyDeleteI have to do it this way. I've never been able to force a story. Little pieces of the jigsaw are flitting around inside my head and soon I'll wake up in the middle of the night with it all planned and ready to write!
DeleteTime for a chocolate tattoo. Or maybe not. Very good and I shall leave you with a blank look on my face. This "ultimate pantsing." Have no idea what that is. You writers and your jargon!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the rest of the weekend. Gary, live from Glastonbury.....
I'm so tempted to have the Cadbury logo on my arm... they say your wear your heart on your sleeve don't they? Live from Glastonbury? Partying with the Stones are you?
DeletePantsing on steroids!! :)
ReplyDeleteThat would provide some 'beefy' ideas :-)
DeleteI am soooo glad I'm not the only one to walk the streets talking to myself. We can always tell people it's a sure-fire way of fending off unwanted attentions, can't we?
ReplyDeleteOh yes, people don't tend to come too close :-)
DeleteThis is how stories ought to be written, imho :)
ReplyDeleteI think you're right. If I try to force it, the story will be wrong. Just have to wait, I guess.
DeleteChocolate and tattoos, my two favorite things! I can't wait to see what comes of this pantsing.
ReplyDeleteMine too, Caitlin. I'm still no further along, so I can't tell you at the moment :-)
DeleteHmm, I've never had the title before anything else before. That would be very interesting. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI do for the majority of the time. The novel I'm writing at the moment has a working title, and I'm struggling. I need the REAL title.
DeleteI think that is so amazing! I think you should enjoy the ideas and your progress, even though your characters are making you wait. Your know how they always like being the centre of attention. All the best.
ReplyDeleteYes, they're certainly playing with me at the moment.
Delete'I'm starting to think that the first draft of this story is worthy of the handmade notebook that my kids bought me several years ago, and which has been waiting for the right story ever since.'
ReplyDeleteThis sounds *really* promising! I'm excited for you.
I hope so, thanks!
DeleteWhether it starts with a title or a well-thought out outline, it's gotta start somewhere!
ReplyDeleteAllison (Geek Banter)
Very true!
DeleteHappy Pantsing!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy these moments 'in limbo' when the characters are still deciding when to make the 'grand entrance' LOL
I'll try, Michelle. Not easy, though - I know there's a story, just can't quite reach it!
DeleteHow exciting. I have several 'special' notebooks that are still waiting for the 'right' words to go in them. I would hate a tattoo. You're braver than I am. I don't do pain very well.
ReplyDeleteI'm not good with the pain either, Rosalind. I tend to pull a lot of weird faces!
DeleteI love using a new or different notebook for particular ideas.
ReplyDeleteThose ideas will coalesce.
I hope so, Medeia :-)
DeleteVery, very exciting :) Chocolate and tattooes, huh? Now which kind? White, milk, dark? Tiger, skull, Chinese symbol for Soup? Can't wait to hear more!
ReplyDeleteSarah Allen
(From Sarah, With Joy)
Definitely dark chocolate. And I really must look up with Chinese symbol for soup :-)
DeletePersonally, I think Chocolate and Tattoos sounds like an intriguing title. XD Can't wait to hear this mysterious title!
ReplyDeleteI fear I've bigged up the title too much, but I still think it's great. Chocolate and Tattoos would be a great title too :-)
Delete