QUESTION:
"My story ideas always seem so different (better) in my mind. How do you get a story from your head to paper without having it freak out and become something totally different?"
SHORT ANSWER:
You don't.
LONG ANSWER:
Don't panic because of the short answer. I hate to be the pin holder bursting your authorly balloon into flying shreds of latex, but honestly, there's no way you'll ever capture the Cinemagraphic story in your head so that readers see exactly what you do . . . but that is the inherent beauty of every story. Just because your idea changes and comes out differently by the time you type THE END, that doesn't mean that it's bad.
But sometimes it is. Recently I read a Facebook status from one of my favorite authors, Travis Thrasher. He said:
"Hello, Solitary Tales fans. I wanted to let you know about this particular title that I had planned on releasing before the end of the year. Well, that plan changed, not because of busyness but because the story went places that I didn't want it to go. Actually, Chris Buckley (that's his main character) said that it was unbelievable. He told me he'd never do that stuff. He said that readers would be confused if I went in this direction. So yeah . . . I stopped writing and am now figuring out how to tell this story."Writers at every stage of the game continually wrestle with the beast of wrangling a story into words. At times it can be downright discouraging.
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| Do you really think this is what DaVinci originally had in his mind when he started painting? |
All that being said, though, I'm still of the belief that change is good, and here's why . . . even if you wrote exactly the story you wanted to tell, every reader who picks that book up will experience it in a different way than you intended. Why? Because readers come to the table with different baggage, a plethora of backgrounds, and assumptions galore.
Writing is art, and art is like that. For all we know, daVinci had a blonde-haired, blue-eyed vixen with a toothy grin in mind when he painted the Mona Lisa, but that doesn't change the fact that it's a beloved masterpiece.
Go forth fearlessly, little writers, and pen your masterpieces. Embrace change. And it never hurts to eat much chocolate along the way.
TWEETABLES
Is it Possible to Wrangle an Epic Idea onto Paper? by Michelle Griep (Click to Tweet)
I'm still of the belief that change is good~ Michelle Griep (Click to Tweet)
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| Author Michelle Griep |
Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. Follow her adventures and find out about upcoming new releases at her blog, Writer Off the Leash, or stop by her website. You can also find her at the usual haunts of Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.
Like what you read? There’s more. WRITER OFF THE LEASH: GROWING IN THE WRITING CRAFT is a kick in the pants for anyone who wants to write but is stymied by fear, doubt, or simply doesn’t know how to take their writing to the next level.
Like what you read? There’s more. WRITER OFF THE LEASH: GROWING IN THE WRITING CRAFT is a kick in the pants for anyone who wants to write but is stymied by fear, doubt, or simply doesn’t know how to take their writing to the next level.
Wow, what an encouragement to read your post about how a story morphs as it leaves your brain. I have struggled a lot with that. And to now know so does Travis Thrasher - very encouraging. Thanks Michelle for your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI am not a huge plotter but I definitely know the key points going in to a story because it plays out like a movie in my head. It's fun to start writing it. Even the little detours and interesting side roads that come out in the writing part add to the fun - until the end. See, more often than not, because of the detours and side roads my endings end up not really working anymore. I'm embarrassed to admit how many stories are sitting unattended on my lap top at about 7/8 completed mark. Agh!
However your words have inspired me to press on. It is not a sign that the story is bad, or doesn't work. It is just part of the process.
"Writers at every stage of the game continually wrestle with the beast of wrangling a story into words. At times it can be downright discouraging."
Thank you. Thank you.
Jodi
If it's any consolation, Jodi, I have several unfinished manuscripts sitting on my shelf as well. But we will persevere, eh?
ReplyDeleteAh, perseverance. (Deep sigh) That is probably why 2 peter 1 is one of my most bittersweet passages. So necessary, yet so hard to fully grab onto.
ReplyDeleteSo to your journey Michelle may I pass on the words I use for me (from The Message, speaking of the list of qualities - including perseverance) "With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus."
Christmas Blessings.