... the prompts …
When I first started to write the novel, I used a series of questions as prompts to help me write character sketches and back story and to kick start the process of writing the novel itself.
Now, at the half way point, I’ve decided to resurrect the idea in order to help me resolve some of the plot lines I’ve set up and to ease the path of the second half.
These are my current prompts:
Has Rachel left it ten years too late to fall in love with Julian?
What was Gareth up to and why does Rachel keep dreaming about his jacket?
How did Julian know which Agatha Christie to buy for Rachel to read on the Eurostar?
Do the boys in the warehouse really clean the teaspoons by licking them?
Why do the devil worshippers have such good dress sense?
Who is Dorothy?
Who napalmed the bonsais?
Is the spate of local burglaries just a coincidence?
Some of these questions may not have answers, or at least not simple ones, but working through them will help me to clarify where I need to go next. That’s the plan anyway! Watch this space for the answers to some of these questions.
SmudgeWatch:
Tuesday update: the medicine wars continue. Bribes are becoming ever more outrageous.
He's been out in the garden enjoying the sun today. We've had a couple of tussles over his medicine the last two days, so please send good vibes that I can continue to persuade him to take it.
Welcome To My Blog
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
11 comments:
What a great idea, Helen. I may well try that myself.
Sending good vibes for Smudge to keep taking his medicine. Glad he enjoyed the sun! Lovely isn't it?
Oh, I do like the way you're thinking like the reader. I heard an interview with Lynda LaPlante recently who says that she likes the fact that the reader is guessing and questioning throughout because, as the writer, that's exactly what she's been doing too :)
I really should take a leaf out of your own book and start doing prompts too.
Poor bonsais, I'd love to know who napalmed them.
Good vibes are being sent to Smudge, I'm so glad he's been enjoying the garden.
Oh that is such a good idea. I just sort of write the story as I go along but I must learn to do some planning for a change...might make the writing a bit easier. I enjoyed the excerpt you posted above, more please.
I like that idea, Helen, a lot. I always write very detailed character sheets but I often find if I make the actual story outline too detailed it takes the 'freshness' and surprise away when I reach certain points in the WIP. Your way of using prompts would prevent that I think.
I've had a 'long chat' with Smudge about taking his medicine. I hope he listened *smile*.
Is it in tablet form? I used to wrap a small piece of raw liver around our cat's tablets. Yuck, it was horrible handling it but when I popped it in her mouth, after holding it under her nose so she could sniff the awful *offal?* stuff, Primple swallowed it in a flash.
Why do the devil worshippers have such good dress sense? That is certainly a probing prompt:-)
Lots of good vibes to Smudge. Keep taking that medicine lovely boy.
I use prompts too, they are great for catching and filling in plot holes and generally avoiding parts that would be boring for the reader. Tons of good vibes to Smudge.
MROOEEOOW! Meeeiow prrrrrrr mrrraweeeor.
Taz x
Smudge! Take your medicine!
[Spoken in my firmest parent to child voice - hey, it works for the kids... mostly].
As for the questions: you continue to post the most provocative teasers on your blog, and thereby ensure that your novel will go straight to the top of the best-sellers' list. Ace marketing, hon!
That's a fabulous idea! I may steal it.
See you Thursday :)
(I'll be the one in the corner, possibly hiding under a pile of coats)
x
Annie - I find the prompts really help.
Jen - I love Lynda La Plante, sigh
Debs - the bonsais are a big worry at the moment!
DJKirkby - I don't plan enough, but I find I need to do a bit or I just can't write at all
Pat - Smudge's medicine is a liquid. I think he's caught on that I'm giving it to him in the ice cream, so I need to try something else I think
Lane - the devil worshippers are my favourite characters at the moment
Yvonne - whether I catch all the plot holes remains to be seen!
Taz - meeeooow, prrrrrrrrrr
Leigh - Smudge says 'Yes, Aunty Leigh!'
Caroline - you can steal whatever you like darling x
Post a Comment