Usually I like to “work ahead.” I do things today that will make my life easier tomorrow. Like chopping onions or veggies for dinner or putting together a casserole for breakfast.
Because I’m NOT a morning person, I find this helps a lot in my new career as an innkeeper. Lots of folks are early risers and want to get up early and start exploring right after breakfast. I try to plan my breakfast ahead so I won’t have to do a lot of thinking in the morning. I just get up and fix what I’ve prepared or planned for the night before.
This system works really well with a lot of things. But, not for everything. As a writer, sometimes this “working ahead” becomes more cumbersome than helpful. You see, sometimes I get an idea that I want to work into my story somewhere farther along than I’ve currently composed. I may stop what I’m doing and write down these ideas or rough out a scene for incorporation later. However, when later comes, that scene doesn’t necessarily work. Or make sense. So, working ahead, while seemingly a good idea at the time, really was just a waste of time earlier.
Or maybe not. That’s where the confusion comes in. Now I have to spend time trying to decide if this scene I’ve written still applies or can be used even later in the book or if it should just be tossed out entirely. Perhaps with just a little re-writing it can still work.
The same thing happens when I’m working on one book but a brilliant idea for another book takes shape in my brain. I have to stop composing on my work in progress to jot down the general concept, characters, setting and whatnot for a completely different book. If I don’t write it down, I won’t remember it when I’m ready to start working on another book. But . . . I’ve taken myself completely away from the book I should be working on.
Sometimes it happens while I’m editing a manuscript. BAM – here comes a fantastic idea for a historical romance that really must be told. But wait – I don’t write historicals. Should I still write down this fabulous idea – just in case? I really need to keep doing these edits – and finish that other book – but this new idea is not going to go quietly away from my brain. And it’s an awesome story with lots of twists and turns and such. Maybe I should stop writing on my WIP progress altogether and start this new fabulous book, hmm?
So, tell me dear readers, should I strike while the iron is hot and write down these awesome new story ideas? Or keep on plugging away on my edits and/or composing on my WIP? What do you do author friends? I’d love to know that I’m not alone in this whirlwind of imaginary worlds and people begging to tell their stories and pulling me in different directions.
Word of the day: Junto
Fun fact about me: I’m starting to really like my basement (my new home office).
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, October 2017. Photos courtesy Google Images.
I have so many ideas that die before I can get them into written form. Sometimes, I’ll have a great idea and I’ll start a post and won’t finish. But I am writing posts, not a book. I’d continue to do what you are doing, you never know when it will pay off and you’ll be able to use your ideas. Even if it needs a bit of reworking, that’s what writing really is. Have a great week.
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You are right Clay. Most good writing is really a lot of rewriting and rewriting some more. Even those brilliant ideas that invade from nowhere will need lots of rewriting. So, I guess I’ll just keep jotting down those ideas. You never know what’s going to be the blockbuster.
Thanks for visiting. Keep writing your posts too as they are always enjoyable to read.
Patricia
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I feel your pain, girl! It seems whenever I’m trying to finish up a WIP, a new, exciting idea hits, and I really, REALLY want to write that instead. Maybe it’s a writer thing? 🙂 I’d say write down the idea when it comes because you’re right – if you don’t write it down now, you’ll forget later. But then jump right back into what you were working on before and finish up that puppy!
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I wish it worked in reverse. I wish, when I’m stuck on my WIP, I could just start working on something else and BAM I’d get the breakthough I need on the WIP. Why doesn’t that ever happen?
Oh well, the problems of a writer are mysterious indeed.
Thanks for visiting. Have a wonderful week.
Patricia
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I checked with my junto, and the consensus was that you definitely, probably, maybe should consider thinking about that. Hope I’m not coming on too strong pushing my thoughts on you.
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Interesting consensus, Dave. I’ll take that under advisement.
Always good to hear from you. Have a great week.
Patricia
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