George Kenney
I have a lot of ideas that cross my mind and I explore those ideas with a process called an 8 Point Story Arc. This is covered in a book by Nigel Watts', "Writing A Novel and Getting Published". It's primary purpose is to keep a story on track, covering things readers expect in a good book. Do a Google search on "8 Point Story Arc" and you will find a truck load of info.
I certainly use this process to make sure I cover important areas but I also rely on it heavily to vet the emotional potential I can generate while writing the book. In addition, to the 8 points discussed by Nigel Watts, I added an item I call the "concept". I use the "concept" to state up front what I want the reader to walk away with and it doesn't have to be of cosmic significance. Sometimes the idea for the story dies here because I lack a defined purpose for expending the energy.
So by now I'm sure you are saying, "None of this is concerned with inspiration!" You are right, just give me a few more minutes of your attention. It is vital for me to go through these points. By jotting down in a few sentences what each point will cover and how they can be knit together, to support the concept, I am distilling my idea and the emotion I have for the effort. By the time I am done I either feel the current pulling me to write or I know the idea has no emotional energy for me. It's the equivalent of the 2 minute elevator pitch but it is me pitching the concept to myself.
I've learned it is better to have spent a few hours going through this exercise to discover if the emotional energy demanded for the effort exists. If I like the nature of the arc and the emotion is there then I have found the words flow faster than I can type them. The words spill out as the excitement grows to set the environment then reach the climax and expose the reversal.
By the way, too much detail at this point kills the creative self I need for writing. I must keep it brief and very high level. On the other hand, knowing the points of interest I will visit along the way is comforting and I find focuses the creative process.
I certainly use this process to make sure I cover important areas but I also rely on it heavily to vet the emotional potential I can generate while writing the book. In addition, to the 8 points discussed by Nigel Watts, I added an item I call the "concept". I use the "concept" to state up front what I want the reader to walk away with and it doesn't have to be of cosmic significance. Sometimes the idea for the story dies here because I lack a defined purpose for expending the energy.
So by now I'm sure you are saying, "None of this is concerned with inspiration!" You are right, just give me a few more minutes of your attention. It is vital for me to go through these points. By jotting down in a few sentences what each point will cover and how they can be knit together, to support the concept, I am distilling my idea and the emotion I have for the effort. By the time I am done I either feel the current pulling me to write or I know the idea has no emotional energy for me. It's the equivalent of the 2 minute elevator pitch but it is me pitching the concept to myself.
I've learned it is better to have spent a few hours going through this exercise to discover if the emotional energy demanded for the effort exists. If I like the nature of the arc and the emotion is there then I have found the words flow faster than I can type them. The words spill out as the excitement grows to set the environment then reach the climax and expose the reversal.
By the way, too much detail at this point kills the creative self I need for writing. I must keep it brief and very high level. On the other hand, knowing the points of interest I will visit along the way is comforting and I find focuses the creative process.
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