Okay, Listen Here

Okay, Listen Here

Monday, October 18, 2010

GROWING THE STORY


Stephanie and I are at my very favorite part of our work in progress—the growing part. We know the characters. (At least as much as they have decided to tell us. They will reveal more about themselves in good time.) We've "plotted". Okay, so she has plotted. Whatever. At any rate, we have a road map with key stops and I can fly by the seat of my pants toward those points any way I choose. Often, it seems like there are a hundred possible routes and I play every single one in my head. Sometimes, I choose; sometimes. the characters take over but this is the part where the baby is growing.

Precious Angel was always an affectionate child. As a baby, he would wave his arms and squeal to be picked up. I still remember what it felt like for little toddler arms to wrap around my knees from behind and, later, a face buried in my stomach. Still later, I loved to be able to kiss the top of his head when we hugged. For the longest time our cheeks fit together naturally.

This past Friday night after the football game, he came out of the locker room exuberant over a homecoming win and his own good performance. He is still an affectionate child but enough of the secure man he's going to be that he embraces those he loves in public. Tonight there was no head kissing or cheek pressing. This time, my head landed somewhere under his chin, in the vicinity of a shoulder pad. And I thought, "When did that happen?"

When writing, that's how I always feel somewhere between the black moment and the epilogue. Somewhere along the way the baby grew up, almost, it seems, with no input from me. And I think, "When did that happen?"

That is my second favorite part of the process. There is just something magically fantastic about realizing everything is going as it should, whether it comes in the form of being hit in the face with shoulder pad under a sweaty football jersey, a hero who finally gets it, or a heroine who learns how to forgive.

What's your favorite part of the process?

9 comments:

  1. My favorite part of the process is when I finally start to see the characters take on their own lives. Just as you said, I always ask "When did that happen?" As with a child, I often fight with my characters, trying to convince them about what would be good for them but they always seem to know better for themselves. And like a good mother, I let them go their own ways.

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  2. My favorite part of the process has to be knowing that my characters are never very far away, no matter how hectic life gets. Even when I can't give them the full attention they need, it is nice to know they are still hovering nearby, whispering to me, urging me to channel their story to paper.

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  3. Cheryl--I am so glad to know there is someone else who feels that lack of control. Considering our personalities, it's probably good for us.

    Chrystal--That is so true. I'm never bored because I can block out the person is complaining to me about (pick one: the weather, the food at a restaurant, the price of eggs, the service at the bank) and go to character land. And lest anyone think I am not self aware, I know I complain about all those things.

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  4. I understand, Jean. Seems I've been over-exercising my Complaint Button lately (that's the button located next to the Easy Button, which is NOT getting such a workout). Can't seem to help it now that we are in Week 13 of our Mad House Adventure. But I can still hear my characters, so all is well there.

    Cheryl, sometimes we just have to let them have their way, difficult as that can be.

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  5. Thanks for that poignant analogy, Jean. I don't know yet what it feels like to realize your kids have suddenly grown up, but you make it sound so much more fulfilling than tragic. :)

    As for growing the characters, I love it when they develop to the point of independence. When I can hear them talking back and forth and I just have to try to capture what I hear instead of forcing their interactions. Most things seem much better off when you can let them happen instead of trying to make them happen. ^_^

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  6. I am sure that it will come as no surprise to anyone that my favorite part of the process is the plotting. :-)

    It is a lot of fun to me to get together with Jean and talk through the ideas that we have both had. A couple of weeks ago we plotted this new book and had some great creative energy going. I think that discussion and brain storming makes our plotting more dynamic.

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  7. RP--PA isn't my child. He's my godchild but The Guy and I are very, very much in his life. Seeing him grow up is wonderful. This is a fabulous time of life for him and we enjoy it rather than lamenting that that he's not a little boy anymore. The Guy took him out yesterday afternoon and taught him to drive his stick shift convertible. These times are just as precious as trick-or-treating.

    You make a good point about letting things happen. I should do that in aspects of my life other than writing. I think that's what I'll do with dinner tonight--make no plan and just see what happens.

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  8. RP, having them grow up is not tragic. I find I enjoy mine in a different way. I can actually talk to my son like an adult. He's witty and fun. There are advantages to them growing up. I miss the toddler but the adult is something special too.

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  9. Sorry I'm just now getting to your post, Jean. Busy days...

    I love when a story grows up before your eyes but you're too close to the project to realize it's happening. That's exactly what happens with little ones. One day they're in diapers and the next in college. I never believed that was possible. People told me all the time to enjoy the moments you have with your kids. But quicker than I could blink all my children were grown and out on their own. I'm left with empty arms that ache to be filled.

    That's how I feel when a book is done. When you see how wonderful your project/child has become, you want to cuddle/hug a bit longer than you know you should. Perhaps that's what spurs a writer on to the next project. I know I yearn to experience that same euphoria all over again.

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