Switch it Up! Nothing you write is set in stone
This is something that deep down we all know, but many of us fail to acknowledge:
YOUR STORY IS NOT SET IN STONE.
A lot of times we write our first, second, third drafts thinking the way things have played out have to stay that way. Then we start revising. Things aren't working, and it's hard to pinpoint why.
Something you should ask yourself is: Does it HAVE to be like this?
yes, Yes, YESSS! your heart will tell you.
Do not listen to your heart. Hearts are silly.
Use your brain to unhinge the structure of your novel. Look at it and wonder, does it have to be like this? Does this have to happen after this? Does this character have to be the one that does this?
We often write ourselves into these rules that don't actually exist. They are invisible boundaries we have put up that get us stuck. Knock them down. Question them.
Recently I had this nagging feeling about a scene in my MS. It just didn't feel right, but I couldn't figure out why. Then I took a break, took a shower as all geniuses do, and tada! I realized that I should try moving the scene from before the midpoint to after the midpoint, which is the section of the Beat Sheet story structure called Bad Guys Closing In. It made a lot more sense.
So take a look at your MS, particularly the parts that are giving you heart burn (oh those silly hearts!) and fantasize about what could be if you switched things up a little. You might discover some great new possibilities.
Happy writing and happy showering!
-hrkay
YOUR STORY IS NOT SET IN STONE.
A lot of times we write our first, second, third drafts thinking the way things have played out have to stay that way. Then we start revising. Things aren't working, and it's hard to pinpoint why.
Something you should ask yourself is: Does it HAVE to be like this?
yes, Yes, YESSS! your heart will tell you.
Do not listen to your heart. Hearts are silly.
Use your brain to unhinge the structure of your novel. Look at it and wonder, does it have to be like this? Does this have to happen after this? Does this character have to be the one that does this?
We often write ourselves into these rules that don't actually exist. They are invisible boundaries we have put up that get us stuck. Knock them down. Question them.
Recently I had this nagging feeling about a scene in my MS. It just didn't feel right, but I couldn't figure out why. Then I took a break, took a shower as all geniuses do, and tada! I realized that I should try moving the scene from before the midpoint to after the midpoint, which is the section of the Beat Sheet story structure called Bad Guys Closing In. It made a lot more sense.
So take a look at your MS, particularly the parts that are giving you heart burn (oh those silly hearts!) and fantasize about what could be if you switched things up a little. You might discover some great new possibilities.
Happy writing and happy showering!
-hrkay
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