Alison, your timing is excellent. I have been looking with dismay at the tangled web of a murder mystery I've sorta kinda maybe? got in first draft. It's there. I can feel it. Just needs some bridges connecting pieces and to be put in the right order . . .
Actually, I've been panicking and avoiding, but your piece today helped. Thanks.
I know it didn't turn out to be yours, but it IS the only thing that keeps me going on this ms. And pretending my way (fake it till you make it!) through and tripping over those fuel injections of encouragement, ie. this post.
Wow, Alison, completely appreciate this. I have finished my novel and hope to do a very absolutely final read over the holidays. (It has been sitting for a few months.) I really feel good about it, but what you have suggested and the knitting example, all of a sudden objects and scenes present themselves like pieces of a puzzle that I could easily and effectively drop into the story, which would help to work subtly on my reader's mind (I think/ hope/ believe) to continue to achieve/ reinforce what I believe the story is about. I'm going to sit with this for the next few weeks, before I work on it and see what comes up, things are already starting to bubble to the surface. I'm very excited! Thank you.
This is so good to read--thank you for sharing. Entering into the time of having written a complete draft and then "growing" it... has to be my favourite part of process!
And how good that you've let it sit for a few months. That's key!
Congratulations on the full finished draft!! Onward.... And wishing you a most excellent holiday season, Andrew!
Alison, your timing is excellent. I have been looking with dismay at the tangled web of a murder mystery I've sorta kinda maybe? got in first draft. It's there. I can feel it. Just needs some bridges connecting pieces and to be put in the right order . . .
Actually, I've been panicking and avoiding, but your piece today helped. Thanks.
Hey, how do you eat an elephant?
One bite at a time.
Going to take a bite now.
"Panicking and avoiding."
Even if you're not organized, but you pretend to be... it helps.
The manuscript is so relieved you've breathed life into it, it will respond with gratitude, and let you pretend away.
Next thing you know, the thing is taking Serious Shape!
Scrivener is my savior.
I know it didn't turn out to be yours, but it IS the only thing that keeps me going on this ms. And pretending my way (fake it till you make it!) through and tripping over those fuel injections of encouragement, ie. this post.
Wow, Alison, completely appreciate this. I have finished my novel and hope to do a very absolutely final read over the holidays. (It has been sitting for a few months.) I really feel good about it, but what you have suggested and the knitting example, all of a sudden objects and scenes present themselves like pieces of a puzzle that I could easily and effectively drop into the story, which would help to work subtly on my reader's mind (I think/ hope/ believe) to continue to achieve/ reinforce what I believe the story is about. I'm going to sit with this for the next few weeks, before I work on it and see what comes up, things are already starting to bubble to the surface. I'm very excited! Thank you.
This is so good to read--thank you for sharing. Entering into the time of having written a complete draft and then "growing" it... has to be my favourite part of process!
And how good that you've let it sit for a few months. That's key!
Congratulations on the full finished draft!! Onward.... And wishing you a most excellent holiday season, Andrew!