I just heard that on a television show and desperately needed to use it myself.
You will RUE the DAY!
Chances are I will never write that in any of my stories.
So, we have been discussing Pantsing and Plotting (or as L.A.W. called it: 'Plodding').
I mentioned to her that there has to be a happy medium somewhere between the two.
I am sure I was not the first to come up with these two:
Plottypants or Pantyplots?
I suppose most writers do this unconsciously anyway.
As for me I haven't written a word since Monday morning. I am really stuck. I have a serious annoying feeling that I have to cut back a few pages and start anew but I'm still not sure where to go after that even if I do.
I have certainly stuck my big ol' foot in it this time.
I want the book to be exciting but I don't want the main female character to be constantly in 'mortal' peril. Sometimes that can get annoying.
What mess did she get into now?
I don't want her to appear to be the dumb damsel in distress either. Couldn't avoid danger cause she was so busy looking at the hunky guy.
But...
She is the one the plot revolves around so I need to do something to make sure she stays that way and keep it interesting.
Aggravation!
Frustration!
AAARRR! AARRRRR! HULK SMASH!!!
Maybe not that bad.
It will come to me. Probably in the middle of the night. I'll be making a list of groceries items I need in my sleep and suddenly the answer will be there. Hopefully it will still be there when I wake up!
Nothing wrong with letting her be in peril. I don't know what type of female your character is, but would it work to let HIM come to the rescue, but then turn the tables - let HER save HIM. Or, HE saves HER, then she's p!$$ed off because he did - afterall, she can take care of herself? You know, think unexpected.
ReplyDeleteBut like I said, I don't know your characters to know well enough what they might do, but that's my two cents for today.
Thanks for trying to help. Those aren't bad ideas. I was actually complaining to Suz and she came up with a good idea too so I'm going to see if I can make that work.
ReplyDeleteI may just be able to write myself out this paper bag after all!
How about running a seemingly un-related parallel line...perhaps you could give POV of the bad guy ever other chapter...and at first they don't seem to be related or have their stories intersect at all but then....BOOM...they are really brother and sister!! lol - well - you know what I mean. :-)
ReplyDeleteKS
KS - You don't ask for too much do you? I'm in complication hell but what the heck, let's just add another one on to the pile!
ReplyDeleteCrazy woman!
Good idea though. Not sure I could pull it off.