My Journey
by:
1137
Views
Views
34 Votes
Chapter 19:- Painted into a Corner? Congrats!
My characters in the 13 to Life series like to throw me curve balls. They like to paint me into corners with their story. And I'm glad.
Think about it.
You're painting a floor (don't ask me why--hmm, maybe you're staining a floor ;-) and you are so merrily going along with the job that you suddenly find yourself surrounded by wet paint, with only the tiny area you're standing on being clear. The doorway's across the beautifully cherry stained hardwood floor (might as well dream big, huh?). You're stuck. So what are you going to do?
Characters and plots do this all the time if you're mainly a "pantster" like myself (meaning you "write by the seat of your pants"). We give our characters the lead and tend to document their adventures rather than bending them to our will. Sometimes they get rowdy and insist on going waaay off the path we imagined for them. Good. Break new paths at their side.
The way I see it if you get painted into a corner there's a few things you can do (at least in writing).
The point is, being painted into a corner in a story is not an excuse for "writer's block." It is an excuse to try something crazy and creative to get out of that space that's making you uncomfortable. Sometimes that "uncomfortable" sensation is like growing pains. They hurt, but you grow and improve as a result of them.
Good luck and keep writing!
~Saoirse
My characters in the 13 to Life series like to throw me curve balls. They like to paint me into corners with their story. And I'm glad.
Think about it.
You're painting a floor (don't ask me why--hmm, maybe you're staining a floor ;-) and you are so merrily going along with the job that you suddenly find yourself surrounded by wet paint, with only the tiny area you're standing on being clear. The doorway's across the beautifully cherry stained hardwood floor (might as well dream big, huh?). You're stuck. So what are you going to do?
Characters and plots do this all the time if you're mainly a "pantster" like myself (meaning you "write by the seat of your pants"). We give our characters the lead and tend to document their adventures rather than bending them to our will. Sometimes they get rowdy and insist on going waaay off the path we imagined for them. Good. Break new paths at their side.
The way I see it if you get painted into a corner there's a few things you can do (at least in writing).
- Exhibit a fair share of patience while that paint dries and figure stuff'll work itself out (in other words, take a break from the story--step away for a day or two--maybe a week, letting stuff simmer in the back of your mind--an answer will come).
- Realize this is an opportunity to examine new ways out (who says you need to walk out a door? is a window handy? ever dream of "swinging from a chandelier"--maybe it'll get you across--leap for it!) .This is a time to try bold options. They may sound crazy at first. But brainstorm and remember EVERY idea is a good idea in a brainstorm--no self-editing! If you don't like brainstorming lists, free write. Back up in your story and rewrite a section without pushing towards the same conclusion. Where does it take you now?
- Phone a friend who owns a fan or a that can help get you out (a new character or maybe that secondary who has been hanging by the sidelines of the story waiting for a moment to shine may be just who you need).
The point is, being painted into a corner in a story is not an excuse for "writer's block." It is an excuse to try something crazy and creative to get out of that space that's making you uncomfortable. Sometimes that "uncomfortable" sensation is like growing pains. They hurt, but you grow and improve as a result of them.
Good luck and keep writing!
~Saoirse
