Well, this week was one when I wondered that myself.
How do I...or shall I say, How do WE do it? How do we keep all those DETAILS flowing. Remember them all. Twist and turn a plot out that makes sense. Characters chattering all the time. Interacting.
I came through some heavy revisions this last month. And I love this. I have this as my goal, to finish book one, and book two, and get a good solid start on book three before book one is in stone.
So I've just finished what Bethany House calls Designed Pages. That is the final chance at revisions. The book is all laid out. If you want to make changes they need to be very minor. Like catching that I typed Seth when I meant Ethan. Or book when I meant boot.
Little stuff, but still, there is time to fool with it.
And I'm finished with book 2, and spent the last two weeks reading and revising it with the details off book #1 firmly in mind. I already had about ten thousands words done on book #3 before I had to drop it and do the designed pages, then pull any threads I've found through book #2, and now I'm back to book #3.
But I was revising those already done about a month ago, 10,000 words of book #3 and came to the mention of the bad guys, caught at the end of book #2 (there are more bad guys, never fear!) and that they'd hang for murder.
Reading that line, I started trying to remember who exactly they murdered.
It's like this weird little WORM wriggling around in my head. It does seem like they murdered someone, but I JUST CAN'T REMEMBER WHO!
Three people got shot...no four. But anyway, they're fine. One person got attacked in one early scene then three more people got attacked later.
But no murders.
That I can remember.
So now what?
Anyway they were also cattle rustlers who are all the way for sure guilty of that, so I can hang them.
But that line bothered me. And it got me thinking about all the DETAILS. I know I struggle sometimes with hair color and eye color. Not usually for the heros and heroines. But minor characters, what was his last name? Did I ever give him a last name?
What kind of horse does she ride? Does she have a favorite? Does she had a bunch of horses and switches off?
sigh
I've tried excel spread sheets. The trouble with that is, sometimes I change something in the book, but forget to change it in the spread sheet. Then later I can't remember what I changed it too and go to the spread sheet...and seem to remember I can no longer trust the spread sheet.
See, for a person who is lining up a really VAST string of details, I'm kinda a dork. Pretty disorganized.
Which brings me back to "How do I do it?"
It just seems to come down to, I love it. I just love writing. It's an odd way to behave. Sitting alone for so much of your life. Imaginary friends to an exponential degree.
A form a madness really.
But I love it.
Does writing give you joy? Do you laugh and cry at your own work? Do you ever go back to re-read or revise and think, "Hey, I wrote that. It's pretty good?"
At the same time does it make you anxious? Make you feel like a failure? Do you spend time during every SINGLE STINKING BOOK THINKING 'I CAN'T WRITE! WHAT AM I DOING THIS FOR?'
Tell me how writing makes you feel.
I've got Tried and True on sale for 99 cents. Go grab a copy on Kindle or Nook. I love that book. I might go read it again just to remind myself I CAN DO THIS!!!
Oh, this is so fun and true.... and I can't do spreadsheets either... But I do have a jot sheet, just a simple word doc when I start a series (like this week) and as I re-read the proposal I jot down names and mini facts... nothing major, eye color, hair.... and for secondary characters I might give five words about their relationship to whomever... because by book 3 and 4 I've written 200,000 words and (like you) changed things and that jot sheet is a help... but my biggest help is printing off the story every 100 pages or so and re-reading it to catch lost threads (wasn't there a dog??? And where's the baby when all this is happening? And how can it be light at 6:30 PM in January?) Those little things happen because I might change the timing of the story in the middle, then have to go back and re-align....
ReplyDeleteBut in the end it's all SO WORTH IT!!! Because we have a book! A book that most folks will not throw against the wall, right?
PARTY BONUS! :)
Ack! The weather! I do this, too. Start in spring and then something happens or rather I make something happen and THAT CAN'T HAPPEN IN SPRING! So now I change to August...well, August is HOT, why aren't people sweating? And why are they grabbing their coats on the way out the door? So go through and get them out of their coats and make the hot. And don't miss any of it, and then heaven help me if I realize time has passed and it should now be WINTER. And yes, it's light until 9:30 pm in Wyoming in August and pitch dark at about 6 pm in January.
DeleteIt's all gotta fit.
I am so GLAD other people mess up details, even when using their spreadsheets! (I do use a spreadsheet to keep track of plot progressions, though.) I just use a paper list to remind me of minutiae. And yes, I love watching my characters grow up and grow in Spirit!
ReplyDeleteLinda, I don't use a spreadsheet, but I do create my own style sheet that lists characters, places, any foreign words that need translations...I turn this in with my ms to my editors, and they like it! It answers some questions for them without them having to query me! :)
DeleteOkay, I'll admit it here: I am a spreadsheet nerd. I have a word count sheet and a scene list sheet. And I have to laugh because just this weekend, my husband (also a spreadsheet enthusiast) asked me how it is that neither one of our children inherited that from us? Have we failed them? LOL
ReplyDeleteAnyway, writing is such a love-hate thing for me. I hate I struggle so much with ideas and plots and I love when the words flow with inspiration. I love it when someone says my words really encouraged, or inspired, but I hate that it can be so hard. But if it was easy, everyone would be doing it!
And thanks for the post, Mary. I'm not sure if it makes me feel better or worse that even after so many books, there is still a struggle LOL!
Ah, the whiplash of emotion Glynis. So so true. Love Hate describes it pretty well.
DeleteI guess I'd add compulsive. I just need to do it. I can't stop. I haven't TRIED to stop for years but I used to--when I'd get another rejection! And before I know it I'd have ideas rioting in my head and be off writing again.
Mary, you do it because you have a wonderful gift of putting words together to make a book! I like that you said you are kind of like a dork. Haha So am I! Trying to keep track of all the components in a story can be monumental and a real struggle. But we all manage to get it together and out comes our story, fresh and near perfect. ;) Because writers MUST write, NEED to write, and they keep on keeping on...
ReplyDeleteKaren, thank you. I just had a really LONG search struggle with my heroine's last name.
DeleteI know that's weird. But my hero from book one … his father died and his ma remarried and had Molly. Ok, Molly is a pretty minor character through the hero's book and a second book in the series.
Now it's her turn.
What was her last name?
And the scary part was, I found it...got her name all in shape for her book...then in the course of revisions FOUND HER WITH A DIFFERENT LAST NAME!
sigh
Mary, this resonates with me. I do historicals mostly, at least that's what I've done that people want to publish, just go with it, and there's a lot to keep track of in an historical. Like have matches been invented yet. (In "Westward Hope" yes, but just barely.) I'm pretty good on eye color, names etc., but lining up my characters' events with what was going on in the wider world is a struggle. Context! I do use spreadsheets in the beginning for their GMC, lies they believe etc., until who they are becomes organic in my writing. And of course I have my standard plot outline and worksheets.
ReplyDeleteThe more complex the book, the more details. Right now I'm juggling an "epic journey" plot line and I have to know where she is, where he is, two different sets of villains chasing them across the known world etc. I've done things like highlight my charts in different colors, Jenny is in New Orleans, White Bear is still in San Antonio, etc. I go through highlighters like chocolate. Lots of details to keep straight and I am trying to train myself not to plot while I'm driving.
But Mary is right, it is so worth it when we hold that book in our hands or someone talks about our characters as if they know them.
I'm home today tying up loose ends. It is sunny, windy and a bit chilly here in NH, good weather for Getting Things Done. If I could only stop watching that chipmunk in my woodpile.
Back later,
KB
KB, for me it's the smaller things. The secondary characters. The main ones I know and have firmly in front of me. But like the Foreman on the ranch he is so MINOR. He makes a few appearances in each book, just sort of background with maybe a spoken line or two. What was HIS name. I mainly don't even describe him, but DID I? Did I say he was gray haired? Did I mention icy blue eyes. Or eyes black as coal. Just in passing...sigh.
DeleteI love that book you're describing the pursuit, two sets of villains. How cool!!!
Yeah, two sets of villains, one for White Bear, one for Jenny. I believe in equal opportunities for Western women.
DeleteAtta girl, Kaybee!
DeleteMary, I've thought every one of those things!! When I go back to re-read a book, I'm surprised sometimes that I wrote something and think hey, that's pretty good. But more often, I'm thinking, what on earth am I doing?! :)
ReplyDeleteI keep a OneNote file for all my details. (I used to use a Word document in the notebook format). Something with tabs for sections helps me.
But then again, I realized last week that I had the hair color wrong in my file!! So I'm with you on wondering how on earth I keep everything straight. :)
I do this, catch this, hopefully in REVISIONS not when the book has come out, with the What was I thinking??? I'll read a sentence and wonder what in the world I meant by that? Was I trying to be funny? Was I going somewhere, then changed my mine and went somewhere else?
DeleteI've got vivid memories of reading some line in a book I WROTE and just shaking my head, reading it over and over. If it's a joke, I don't get it.
Bad when you don't get your own jokes.
Oh, my gosh, yes to everyone one of your questions, Mary. No spreadsheets for me, either. I did one once, but it was very basic. Just names, relations and which books they appeared in. It is amazing how much our brain can hold. At least about our books. The rest, well, those things are often forgotten. That's what sticky notes are for, right?
ReplyDeleteI have tried them Mindy. I remember one I had my hero be an only child (alone in the world is always good!) then I changed it and gave him a little sister and brother he needed to get back too, or he'd failed or something.
DeleteAnd I didn't put that in the spread sheet. And since the family he'd failed was about ONE SENTENCE before I went on (to leave saving the family for later--then promptly forgot) When I went back to the spread sheet there was no mention of family so I went on writing with no family until SHAZAM I needed the family.
Now every reference to his backstory...did I say … I HAD A HARD TIME...or ...WE HAD A HARD TIME. Those singular or plural pronounces are now ALL WRONG.
Grrrrrrrr
I certainly comment on the joy that comes from writing but I can comment on how your writing gives me joy. I always enjoy the laughs, the snippets of wisdom, and the reminder of God's presence in all of our lives. You, along with many of the other authors at Seekerville, offer us the ability to escape or to imagine.
ReplyDeleteGod bless!
Connie
Meant to say "I certainly CAN'T comment"
DeleteHi Connie! Thanks for coming over. Well, writing is crazy fun. It's imaginary friends on steroids.
DeleteI remember sitting, listening to a niece with a new baby, her husband, my own daughter and another couple, talk and talk and talk about how hard it was to name their babies.
And I said, "I name more people by noon on Monday than most people do in a lifetime. Let me name your kids."
Oh, those details! And if you change them mid-story or mid-series, watch out!
ReplyDeleteI keep a folder in Scrivener with different documents - one for each main character, one for their families (including ages,) one for neighbors (those minor characters like your ranch foreman,) and one for animals. I use those documents to record brief descriptions, names, relationships to the main characters, etc. For those minor characters, I'll often add a name of someone I know that the character reminds me of to help me remember mannerisms and speech patterns. It helps, but no system is perfect!
And that love/hate is real. With no contract right now, I'm working away at a story that might sell or might not - but I love it. I'm having fun working on it and it's something completely different than anything I've done before. The most important thing about it is that it keeps me writing. Keeps me working on my goals.
Scrivener, a word that sends a chill of fear straight to my heart. I am firmly, I mean CEMENTED INTO, the old dog new tricks stage of life. I salute you, grasshopper, for embracing The Scrivener.
DeleteThe 'Minding Premise':
ReplyDeleteIf you mind you plot, your plot will mind the outcome; but, if you free-style pantser, you'll be hard pressed to always find the right answer.
While a hot-air balloon seems free to roam in any direction, it actually depends on which way the wind is blowing. The balloon's freedom is only an illusion. The creative winds flowing through the canyons of your mind can easily become lost in folds of memory.
It's the difference between Tired and True and Fire and Ice. One will get your there the other will evaporate like steam from a locomotive.
I am totally setting this comment to music, Vince. It is poetic.
DeleteHi Mary:
DeleteI believe that you deliver more enjoyment per word than any other writer. Bless you.
I run the gamut with every book I write. This is so much fun! This is the hardest work ever! My cup is filled right up! Oh, man, I'm drained away to nothing. I can do this! I canNOT do this...
ReplyDeleteSometimes all of this happens while writing the first chapter...
I'm a dork.
*laughing madly* The first chapter!
DeleteIt's bad when it happens in the first chapter. What happens to ME in the first chapter is...NOTHING IS MOVING! NO LIFE AND DEATH! NO HANGING FROM THE SIDE OF A CLIFF BY HER FINGERNAILS! I NEED TO MAKE! THIS! BOOK! MOVE!
DeleteIn fact, my current WIP is doing this to me right now. I just can't think of a reason to shoot anyone. But I will find a way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As always Mary, your posts (and books!) are entertaining. :) Details...yowzers. I have a document in my Scrivener file where I jot down details like you mentioned and since I've started book two, I decided to make a Character Directory if you will, of all the characters from book 1 and book 2 with short one word descriptors so it jogs my memory. I've used it quite a bit and have it printed out. Any changes I make are written in ink and dated so I know which change is most recent. Messy but works for me. :)
ReplyDeleteI've been surprised reading back through scenes I've written. It sounds so good it can't have been me. LOL
Lee-Ann, like your Scrivener fan before...Jan...I am listening. Wishing I could handle this. I just spent sooooo long trying to figure out what Molly's last name was.
DeleteOh, I no a good one, a novella, and two young adults, treed by a buffalo. Her first, him next. Two old childhood friends--drawn from earlier books I'd written, they were minor children characters. He's been gone a long time, finally returning home. Cute meet right, the tree together, the growling, woofing, whatever sound a buffalo makes-ing critter butting the tree...and I'd written most of the whole scene (this is embarrassing) before I figured out HE WAS HER UNCLE!!!
sigh.
I toyed with the idea of making him adopted for a long time before I hunted up another child character and inserted him.
Lol! Oh, you poor thing. Ouch. Not fun to discover that one tiny little detail after spending so much time figuring it out. I feel your pain...
DeleteGreat post! I love hearing I'm not the only one. Writing for me, runs the gamut of every emotion. At least once a day I question if I'll ever be good enough at it, if it's worth it etc. Even my excitement over an idea rides the rollercoaster. I have to come back to tge fact that I felt the nudge by God & I will follow!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I'll ever be a spreadsheet user, they make my eyes batty. I do need notes, though. I wonder if bullet journaling would be helpful?
Tonya I do keep notes, at the top of the word document. Foreman's name Rubin Walsh. Bad guy … like that. It's the MINOR characters that get me.
DeleteMary, this was a great post. As somebody still working on my first book, I can relate to needing to keep track of details. I have to write everything down old-school in a notebook. I would like to try using technology a bit more for keeping track of things, but a notebook is just easier for me. I have lots of place names and character names I have to keep going back to look at. But at least I am finally getting back into it. And I am constantly asking myself if I can really do it, but I am still trying.
ReplyDeleteWhat works for YOU is right, Sandy. It's fine to try other things once in a while but there is NO one right way to write a book. There is on the way that works for you.
DeleteThe only chart I do is a character name chart, although I sometimes add a bit of other info as well, such as a mare's name or Amish expressions. And as you mentioned, I run the gamut of emotions when I'm writing. It seems I'm fairly constant too. There's the "I love this idea" time at the beginning, then the "This isn't working" stage, then "This is the worst thing I've ever written" time, then--hopefully--back to "I hope the editor likes it as much as I do!" Like you, Mary, I've had to search for a tiny little detail I've forgotten about a character...but need to remember to finish the story or write the next in the series. UGH! :(
ReplyDeleteWhat horse are they riding, that's a big one for me. The current series is on a ranch so lots of horses. But often I have characters who are sort of moving around, or only have ONE HORSE. So I need to know, stallion, mare, gelding. Bay, Thoroughbred, pinto, mustang...and what color mustang? Smart, big small, fast.
DeleteOh, horses can cause fits.
I like to include dogs to, but to me, a dog is almost too much help. The notice bad guys sneaking up on you and can usually find them.
That makes it all toooooooo easy.
I agree about dogs. They can warn the heroine when the bad guy is in the area. Not good if she needs to be surprised.
DeleteI admit to being a spread sheet nerd. I keep what I call a homebuilding spreadsheet for each series I write. It keeps notes on all characters including descriptions and relationships, pets and horses, etc, locations and businesses I've created. I've even been known to created maps with various businesses, schools churches and residences so I can see how my towns are laid out from book to book. This was especially important in my 10 book Turnabout series where all the books were set in the same fictional town.
ReplyDeleteWinnie a ten book series! I know...the details...for me usually spread across three book series plus a novella or two. But TEN!!! spread sheets to the rescue!
ReplyDelete