Story time
I've had an idea. Strangely, the idea occured to me while I was away from my computer, thinking about a line I'd read on the main page of Live Journal.
Actually, to be honest, I wasn't even really thinking about it - I was jus thinking random stuff and one thing led to another.
Fast forward a few days, and the idea now has a main character. He has a name, I've worked out a bit of his family and background, I've named the place he was born and lives (I'm avoiding using a real place, and haven't decided on an era yet - it might stay unspecified).
What I'm struggling with, now, though - do I sit and plan for weeks/months? Working out the whole story, where he goes, the end of the story? Or do I take this idea and run with it, risking the story turning out to be a mess?
I think I'm going to try and compromise. I'm such an impatient person when I have an idea, or decide I want to do or try something. I am absolutely anxious to just start writing and see what happens, but it's a solid idea. I think it has some pretty strong potential.
OK, rough plan (for now):
I'm going to carry around a new notebook and fill it with scribbled notes and sketches, filling it with ideas and plans for his story and keep going with the notes until we go on holiday.
I'm going to take both the notebook and my laptop on holidays and use any spare time (for example, at night in our hotel) continuing with my notes and starting some actual writing.
I wonder how other authors work? Do all authors plan their story? Does anybody just go "Screw it" and start writing, letting the story take them wherever it ends up going?
Actually, to be honest, I wasn't even really thinking about it - I was jus thinking random stuff and one thing led to another.
Fast forward a few days, and the idea now has a main character. He has a name, I've worked out a bit of his family and background, I've named the place he was born and lives (I'm avoiding using a real place, and haven't decided on an era yet - it might stay unspecified).
What I'm struggling with, now, though - do I sit and plan for weeks/months? Working out the whole story, where he goes, the end of the story? Or do I take this idea and run with it, risking the story turning out to be a mess?
I think I'm going to try and compromise. I'm such an impatient person when I have an idea, or decide I want to do or try something. I am absolutely anxious to just start writing and see what happens, but it's a solid idea. I think it has some pretty strong potential.
OK, rough plan (for now):
I'm going to carry around a new notebook and fill it with scribbled notes and sketches, filling it with ideas and plans for his story and keep going with the notes until we go on holiday.
I'm going to take both the notebook and my laptop on holidays and use any spare time (for example, at night in our hotel) continuing with my notes and starting some actual writing.
I wonder how other authors work? Do all authors plan their story? Does anybody just go "Screw it" and start writing, letting the story take them wherever it ends up going?