Yesterday I suggested reading something you’d already written – a scene, chapter, synopsis, logline, etc – to help you get in the groove.
I decided to look at what I call a sort-of outline. I have a decent outline of the major plot points, climax, etc thanks to a variety of books (for novelists and screenwriters). Once I reviewed that, I realized I needed some scenes with her parents – the “B story” as some screenwriting books call it. I had been writing toward a pivotal scene with her mom, but I realized I hadn’t show their relationship since the first few pages of the novel and we really needed more before this pivotal scene.
However, because I’m actually moving along with my novel right now, I opted to just make a note where I thought this scene might go. Thank you, Scrivener! I switched to Corkboard view, could see my scenes at a glance, and popped in another index card with a note about a scene with mom and/or dad. If you don’t know Scrivener, click the link and see my short review. I love this writing program for so many reasons and find more reasons to love it as I stumble on more features.
But back to the jumpstart. So now I’ve got a parent scene in my mind and noted in my story so when I’m going back after this draft, I’ll know not only that I need to write the scene, but where I think it should go. That may change, but it’s nice to have it where it appears to fit for now.
Hope you had as much success getting into your story–let me know!
