Forum: Author Hangout

Constantly. If the story doesn't surprise me as I'm writing it, it's pretty much a dead story, as confirmed by readers and editors. I'm a pretty dedicated 'pantser' as a result. If I outline in too much detail, so there's no room for those surprises, the story is DOA.

Anyone else find this?

Yes.

I once started writing from a detailed outline. Knew every step. No surprises. I quit writing it. Boring to write that way.

Then as I start writing it, other characters will appear out of necessity. The story will take certain turns as I try to fill in the gaps between the planned bits. Things I never would have included if I'd had to outline the whole thing end up being in there because they are necessary.

Anyone else find this?

Most times with me, it is when I am writing a longer story. Especially when it starts off as a short single chapter story, that for some reason calls on me to continue writing it.

Most spectacularly, with me that was my "Country Boy, City Girl" series. I originally wrote it as only a single chapter short story, but found myself returning to it and adding more, then adding more. And not all that long after I turned it into a long story, I realized that the girl I had been writing about was not right for the guy.

And shortly after that I realized who the perfect girl was for him, but then wrote most of the story without revealing that until damned near the end. And that story was so long, many times they surprised me in their actions.

And to be honest, I drug out a lot of the story because I realized the perfect song for them to hear after they realized how much they loved each other, and had to wait for the right year so I could have it in the story.

Anyone else find this?

My philosophy is, if it doesn't, then why bother writing it?

Yes.

The story many times takes an unintentional direction not previously thought out.

At times, my characters will show up in my mind and argue with me about details and plot points. I've had characters who absolutely refused to do what the plot calls for.

For example, Marcy from "The New Field" told me in no uncertain terms that she would not have sex on set. (I.E. as part of a sex scene.) That is private and staying that way. She threatened to basically shut up and not lend anymore of her energy to the story. So there was no sex scene.

Strange? Maybe, but a lot of writers say they've experienced it or something similar. It's all part of the process.

There is a certain piece of at-most-semi-resolved sexual tension in my story that I was certain would've come to a boil about two hundred chapters and two years ago (in story time). I have notes from the time that indicate when I thought things would happen.

Both characters told me very clearly that they saw the (very good) reasons to wait and would stick to that, and thus we're where we are. They know something is likely to happen, and some others know it's likely to happen, but it's not likely to happen anytime particularly soon.

Another major character surprised me by having good reasons (of a very negative sort) for their behavior early on. Sad, but ultimately happy, story-line, but when I first wrong the character and how they behaved, I had no idea why they were doing some of the things they did. That only turned up later.

If you're creating complex characters, either you're the sort that plots everything out, working from their motivations forward through the storyline, or you're the sort who'll get some big surprises. One or the other is going to happen (or, sometimes, both).

I write at least three times as much in my notes and outlines than I publish. I want context to guide my characters actions, even if never articulated.

In my story the Aliens have varied levels of understanding of our technology. They question people they get in their control. Using hostages, they try to control people who operate vehicles or other technologies for them.

They are invaders, come to Earth for riches, land, and prestige, taken by violence. I try to not make them two dimensional villains. Viewed by modern Western sensibilities, they are "evil"

However, one of the Aliens witnesses an enemy he is stalking torturing a puppy. He orders his comrades back, marking that particular human as "his meat" then surprising his comrades he rescues the puppy.

Another scene, from the perspective of a "Trustee" a Mexican teenager on the cusp of manhood. He drives a luxury SUV for an alien leader. He is aware the Aliens have killed Mexican police, but also members of Mexican Drug Cartels who fought them.

The young man was bitter, his older brother was murdered by the Cartels, but the police did nothing. In his mind, the Aliens gave his family justice. When the Aliens sought drivers, he volunteered. He is Trusted to do a job that provides food and shelter for his family (although he knows they are hostages for his good behavior).

A situation arises, being a brash teen, he speaks up, offering a solution, obvious to most people familiar with 21st century technology; not to the Aliens.

Being listened to, and granted a modicum of Respect, is heady to the young man who never got such things before.

My outline was "a trustee provides the information they need to figure out how to get gas, once they are in Mexican controlled territory" I wanted to "Show not Tell" why a Mexican citizen might collaborate.

I am quite pleased that in discussion in the comments section had people mentioning things I intended, but had Not Written!

I have no specific plans to show the Aliens are Not "cardboard cutout" villains. I do have motivations for some of the Aliens, when the story allows, I try to show by actions, those motivations.

I want my readers to feel that in the battles, the deaths or wounding of Aliens, not just people from Earth are a cost to living beings, who have others who care for them.

Such scenes are not planned, they occur as I "flesh out" the main building blocks of the story.

I will pick a theme, exhibition, share wife, etc. I will outline a story, around something I saw or heard or wished would happen.
As I write sudden they characters will go off on their own and it is hard to get them back to plot.
Many stories are in my files waiting for me to finish and some end up written but when I am done I wonder how they got where they did.
As long as I have fun and sometimes they even get me off as I write about them.
George