When I write stories, I usually start really strong. I know what the plot will be, I know the characters, and I know what I want to happen. The big things. But with every story that I start, I end up getting stuck, because I don't know how to make good filler in between the key points in the plot. And then, when I don't have any ideas of what to add to keep the story going, I end up just giving up because I have no motivation. So I am just wondering if you have any advice for that kind of problem, and how to keep going without just giving up?
So I do have a thought here, and you might not like it: don't write any filler. Just write the key points of the plot. Write the scenes you have ideas for in whatever order feels most logical. Yes, it will feel a little hollow and weird! But doing that will help you to understand where the gaps are. (Also, I don't want to pick at your word choice here, but if you're thinking of these gaps as "filler," that's really revealing! No wonder you don't want to write this stuff, if it feels like you're just padding the story!) No joke, this is how I wrote Divergent's rough draft-- I wrote the beginning, then skipped to the Choosing Ceremony, then skipped to the "simulations" part of initiation. All the stuff in between is what I felt the story needed in order to feel complete-- and I only knew what it was after I wrote the other stuff.
As a writer who has been (primarily self-) publishing for many years, I can agree with the "don't read your reviews" advice. It's very common to crave that feedback, but it can become a vicious cycle of "will this be well received/will people like this," and that can make you crazy as a writer.
I'm so glad that you've found success, and am still so proud of you!
Yes, and I think it negatively affects your writing even if you don't realize it-- because on some level you're trying to protect yourself against the negativity and the best way to do that is to try not to piss anyone off! But "don't piss anyone off" isn't a place of creative freedom. And it doesn't matter if you're not writing something weird or experimental. No matter what you're writing, you want to avoid that internal restriction, or your work will suffer.
Thanks for sharing your insights! The one thing I love about your work is how different each story feels. Your ‘signature’ is there but it’s a different ride every time. No two characters are the same.
One question I have: do you generally start writing a story knowing how it will end, or does it reveal itself as you go?
To answer your question, I would say I know each story's ending when I start, but it's blurry. Meaning, I can see the shapes, but the details are not yet clear to me. I can't think of an ending that I had to change in a major way-- just the specific execution. I am an outliner, so by the time I sit down to write, I already have a plan for the story.
It can be tough! I wish I had advice for it. I met a lot of my writing friends on the Absolute Write forums back in the day, and I don't know if they're still active or still a good place for that. It takes time, but I hope it's helpful to know that most of the other people who are starting out are also feeling awkward and unsure but eager to connect.
Your points about publishing not being a meritocracy are spot on. I nodded enthusiastically through that entire paragraph. It's incredibly frustrating—but also oddly freeing? So much is luck/timing, so I just focus on writing the best book I can—something I'm proud of—and then cross my fingers.
I hope you will wrote another book in the Divergent universe sometime!!
Love these books so much!
One thing that I would ask is...
When I write stories, I usually start really strong. I know what the plot will be, I know the characters, and I know what I want to happen. The big things. But with every story that I start, I end up getting stuck, because I don't know how to make good filler in between the key points in the plot. And then, when I don't have any ideas of what to add to keep the story going, I end up just giving up because I have no motivation. So I am just wondering if you have any advice for that kind of problem, and how to keep going without just giving up?
So I do have a thought here, and you might not like it: don't write any filler. Just write the key points of the plot. Write the scenes you have ideas for in whatever order feels most logical. Yes, it will feel a little hollow and weird! But doing that will help you to understand where the gaps are. (Also, I don't want to pick at your word choice here, but if you're thinking of these gaps as "filler," that's really revealing! No wonder you don't want to write this stuff, if it feels like you're just padding the story!) No joke, this is how I wrote Divergent's rough draft-- I wrote the beginning, then skipped to the Choosing Ceremony, then skipped to the "simulations" part of initiation. All the stuff in between is what I felt the story needed in order to feel complete-- and I only knew what it was after I wrote the other stuff.
Best of luck!
Thank you! I'll try that.
Thank you so much for sharing! I'm so grateful for authors who demystify their process for those of us in the thick of it, haha.
As a writer who has been (primarily self-) publishing for many years, I can agree with the "don't read your reviews" advice. It's very common to crave that feedback, but it can become a vicious cycle of "will this be well received/will people like this," and that can make you crazy as a writer.
I'm so glad that you've found success, and am still so proud of you!
Yes, and I think it negatively affects your writing even if you don't realize it-- because on some level you're trying to protect yourself against the negativity and the best way to do that is to try not to piss anyone off! But "don't piss anyone off" isn't a place of creative freedom. And it doesn't matter if you're not writing something weird or experimental. No matter what you're writing, you want to avoid that internal restriction, or your work will suffer.
And thank you! <3
Every profession deserves a living wage.
Lovely advice. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for sharing your insights! The one thing I love about your work is how different each story feels. Your ‘signature’ is there but it’s a different ride every time. No two characters are the same.
One question I have: do you generally start writing a story knowing how it will end, or does it reveal itself as you go?
Thank you, that's a great compliment!
To answer your question, I would say I know each story's ending when I start, but it's blurry. Meaning, I can see the shapes, but the details are not yet clear to me. I can't think of an ending that I had to change in a major way-- just the specific execution. I am an outliner, so by the time I sit down to write, I already have a plan for the story.
This is really great - thank you so all this advice! I love your general attitude and hope I can make more friends in the industry, too.
Thanks so much! I’m still in the “finding friends” stage
It can be tough! I wish I had advice for it. I met a lot of my writing friends on the Absolute Write forums back in the day, and I don't know if they're still active or still a good place for that. It takes time, but I hope it's helpful to know that most of the other people who are starting out are also feeling awkward and unsure but eager to connect.
Your points about publishing not being a meritocracy are spot on. I nodded enthusiastically through that entire paragraph. It's incredibly frustrating—but also oddly freeing? So much is luck/timing, so I just focus on writing the best book I can—something I'm proud of—and then cross my fingers.