Dreaming Out a Story

Earlier this year, I was on a roll (for me) with my creative writing. I was making time to write because writing was easy: I knew the story I was trying tell (fantasy YA with a lot of fairy tale elements), I knew where I was going in my plot, and the words were just taking me from Point A to Point B.

And then April came, and the momentum I had going dribbled away. I still knew the story I was trying to tell, and I still knew where I was going in my plot, but my words quit getting me from Point A to Point B. I was ending up at Point A.254366666 ... and Point B seemed to get further away the more I wrote! Which made sitting down to write so much more frustrating - to the point that I went from writing daily to writing weekly, if I was lucky.

But I think I've finally figured out why.

Before I ever sat down to write, I had asked myself a lot of questions. For example, if my main character is First Daughter, and therefore immune to magic, how on earth is she imprisoned by magic? (Answer: she isn't! But since she's not immune to real things, and a magically enhanced real wall would effectively confine her. Problem solved.)

By the time I actually sat down to write, I had several critical scenes imagined in my head for the first part of my story. (Here's a snip of one pre-scene that I incorporated into my story, after a fashion.) So I wasn’t writing so much as describing - and connecting - my imaginings.

But I’d only gotten so far with my imaginings. So this month, I started off by dreaming again. How does my main character learn how to use her gifts, when no one else knows what she needs to learn? What are the motivations driving some of the side characters we meet along the way, so I know how they should react to my plot twists?

I had to literally dream my way to the finish line. And while I’m not there yet, I’m a lot closer to getting there!

2018 Creative Writing Goals

Last year, I did something I had never, ever done before. I dusted off an old children's story I'd written before my son was born (in 2008 ... it took me only 9 years!), and I actually sent it to literary agents for consideration.

I had been at this point years ago - query letter written, agent and editor lists compiled, manuscript finished - but I'd never. actually. sent. my manuscript. (Arg!)

And then, I did. And I went to a writers conference. And I got inspired to write for fun again. I'm now 30,000 words (and counting!) into a story that I'm enjoying writing. And even though my agent queries resulted in a series of polite, form rejections, I am undaunted.

So my goals for 2018? To keep writing. To keep querying. To self-publish at least one e-book. To keep enjoying the process and keep moving forward!

I hope that you'll tag along for my adventure (because every adventure is improved with great company, and yes, I can always benefit from some accountability!). You can keep up with me here, over at my website, or connect with me on Facebook or Twitter.

Here's to great writing in 2018!