Section 1 – Maps are everything!
Have you ever began writing a story and gotten a fair way into it and then suddenly realized that you did*’t know what to do next? Some people refer to this as, ‘Writing yourself into a corner’. Actually, this problem is easily avoided if you spend a few minutes before you start writing at a key stage in the writing process, appropriately titled, “pre-writing”.
This can be as simple as creating a basic outline of key plot points, or you can get as detailed as outlining each individual chapter. However you choose to do this, the few minutes you spend at this point can save you from a major headache later.
You may be thinking, “But I prefer to write as I imagine it.” This leads to another problem within your story, that I call Extremely Rambling Syndrome. Without some sort of plan, your story will branch off at every chance it gets into something random that isn’t necessary. As a rule, every word within your story should advance it one step closer to the resolution. Sub-plots ought to be worked into the main plot so that they don’t distract the reader from the main plot. If something doesn’t accomplish this purpose, throw it out! Your readers will appreciate your discretion.
I am not saying that you have to plan ever detail of your story before hand. Marking out a basic path, however, will help you to create a story that is as long and concise as it needs to be. Does anyone really want to sift through a bunch of trash to find the treasure hidden beneath? I don’t know about you, but I prefer to keep my hands clean*
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04-Jun-2008 01:04:05
- Last edited on
04-Jun-2008 01:05:53
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