Wordcount: 25411
Words Written Today: 1328
Words I Still Need to Write Today: 339
Writing Music Obsession: The Lord of the Rings soundtrack.
It's funny how stories never seem to go quite how you expect them to.
The
story I'm writing now, I've told myself in my head a hundred times.
Each time it happens just a bit differently, but it's still the same
story. So, when I set out to write it down for NaNoWriMo, I figured that
I knew pretty well how it would play out.
But
the scenes I've written in the last few days, possibly in the last
week, are ones I never imagined. I didn't plan them. They weren't there
when I told the story in my head. Yet here they are, appearing on paper.
They came partially because I had gaps in my plans and I needed
something to fill them, but they're also changing the course of the
story ever so slightly. Hopefully, they're making it better.
In
a way, these unexpected scenes are one of my favorite parts of writing a
novel. I love writing the scenes I've been planning since before I even
started the story, yes, but the scenes that just happen are exciting in
a whole different way. They often reveal things about my characters and
plot that make me think "Oh, wow! I never thought of that before!"
Sometimes, they end up being my favorite scenes in the entire novel. And
sometimes I look back and realize "You know, this is a mess", but, hey,
as long as it's a fun-to-write mess, I'm ok with that. (At least until I
have to edit . . .)
Have you encountered
any unexpected scenes in your stories? How have they changed what you
were writing? Please tell me in the comments!
-Sarah (Leilani Sunblade)
How true is that, eh?
ReplyDeleteI once had an entire abandoned building plunked into my story, along with a sinking boat.
I never saw them coming, but I think they made an improvement.
Ooh. Abandoned buildings are fun. :D I'm curious to know how it ended up in your tale.
DeleteI know, there is such potential in abandoned buildings, ships, sandwiches, etc.
DeleteI don't remember where it came from, actually.
Sandwiches?
DeleteAh. Just wondering.
who left this sandwich here? Why did they leave it here? Would they be mad if I ate it? There's a story here....
Delete...no, on second thought maybe I'm just hungry.
LOL. I can actually see how that could work into a story . . . do you mind if I use the abandoned sandwich thing for a writing prompt?
DeleteGo ahead, I'd love to see what comes out of it!
DeleteThat's so cool you can do that! I'm a really strict outliner, so I have to work at opening myself up to those unexpected scenes.
ReplyDeleteHeh. I have no problem with it . . . I'm learning to plan more, but I'm still a pantser by nature.
DeleteAlso, @your comment below, I don't think I did, but that's really cool. :D
Did you know that Tolkien was apparently as surprised as the rest of us when Strider showed up in the inn? : D
ReplyDeleteyes, isn't that awesome?
DeleteI love when scenes pop up like that! Entire plots can alter, with just a few unexpected words. : )
ReplyDeleteAlso, i've just tagged you over at my blog, if you have the time. Here's the link: http://www.ghostryter.blogspot.com/2014/11/best-blogging-buddy-award.html?m=1
I know, right? That happened to me with my other WIP . . . which I need to work on more.
DeleteThanks! As I said over there, I'm not sure if I'll have time this month, but I'll try to do it come December if I don't get it done before then. :)