When Characters go Rogue and Authors Cry - by Barbara Baker

 

My fingers hover over the keyboard as I try to carry on with Jillian’s story. But I’m stuck. How did that happen? I was positive I had a kickass opening; I love the new character and the new setting Jillian is in, but there’s no more energy. Nothing moves forward. What the hell? How is that possible with such a great start? 

My first writing mentor and dear friend, Ruth Walker, made a comment on my December blog (Books We Love Insider Blog: Butting Heads with a Character - by Barbara Baker) and I go back to read it:

Ugh! This darn writing life is not for the faint of heart, especially if you are a character-driven writer. I've been in your shoes. In fact, was damn-near wearing the same size a few weeks ago. It should have been easy with a fairly good outline and 'plan', but I was going in circles searching for writing energy. So I changed the plan, upended what I thought was going to happen and BINGO: rediscovered the energy. Now, that may not work for you, Barb, but sometimes even a small change -- a new, uncomfortable character showing up, or an unexpected -- even tragic -- change, for example -- that can be a golden ticket. Keep at it, my friend. You'll find what Jillian needs. And even if it hurts, she'll appreciate where you take her. Ruth Walker

Ruth Walker 

Dammit. She’s right. An insignificantly small part of me suspected that when I initially read her comment. But being a tiny bit stubborn, (easy folks), I refused to acknowledge her wisdom.

Darn you, Ruth. I'm mad at you for being right. I'm mad at myself for not realizing it sooner. I'm even mad at Jillian for not pulling her weight in the story. And yes, I realize how ridiculous that sounds. So, I offer my apologies to Ruth and Jillian and I cut myself a bit of slack. 

At my first ever writer’s retreat, facilitated by Ruth Walker and Gwynn Scheltema, I learned a lot of stuff about writing stories. One of the ingredients to good writing is - shit has to happen. Ruth’s suggestions of – ‘an unexpected – even tragic event’ and ‘even if it hurts’ comments run amok in my head while I ponder making shit happen scenarios. 

 

And then it hit me. And it hurt so bad. I start to cry as the new scene unfolds in my head. The tragic event grows legs, and they're running. Fast. I type even faster to keep up with the idea and cry harder. The magic is happening. It makes me happy in such a sad way. Gosh, this writing gig is tough. As always, I am thankful there is red wine in the cupboard. 

Being a pantser, I don’t have a story board on my office wall. No yellow stickies to shift around to thicken plots or heighten tension. It often makes it tough to connect my scattered ideas into a cohesive storyline. And with this new development, a different type of juggling act has to happen to make all the pieces fit into the larger puzzle – the new story.

Book 4 is still a long way from the finish line, but it has a trajectory now and a ton of energy moving it forward which is what it was lacking. So, thank you Ruth. For the pain and patience and good advice. Write on. 

2024 Canadian Authors Jigsaw Puzzle can be purchased at: 

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Baker, Barbara - BWL Publishing Inc. (bookswelove.net)

bbaker.write@gmail.com