CYD 2012 : Author Advice : Jen Nadol : Getting from Point A to Point Z
Today, Jen Nadol shares how she writes a novel.
Most of my drafts are started in a fit of inspiration: ohmygosh, I have a great idea for a book! It’ll be about a girl who knows when it’s someone’s day to die. She’ll see a light around people, figure out that’s what it means and have to decide what to do about it. And in the end, she’ll realize X, Y and Z. I write the first chapter or three like the wind, the scenes and characters’ voices so clear. Then I jump to the ending, already hearing the things they’re thinking and saying to bring closure to the story, my fingers almost too slow to keep up with the pictures unfolding in my head. And then…
I sit down to write Chapter Four and realize I have no idea what’ll happen next. This is where it all falls apart. The sagging middle. The missing links from Point A - the inspired beginning - to Point Z - the inspired conclusion.
Finding your way when the slate is blank is the very hardest part of writing. I’m drafting right now and have realized that when I hit this part - the what comes next?- I break it down like a game of Clue: figuring out who does it, where and with what weapon. And though winning Clue doesn’t require you to know motive, writing a book does.
Who and where. These are the easy ones. I try not to keep an important character or setting out of the story for too long. In my current WIP, there are six real characters: my MC, her friend, her enemy, her mom, her boss and her love interest. And it takes place mostly at her house, school, a nightclub and her job. They don’t all get equal screen time, but there is a rhythm to when the characters and settings appear. The MC in every scene, the friend or mom in every other or third, the love interest a little less and so on. Running through the combinations until I hit on one that makes sense - MC with love interest at house? MC with mom at work? - gives me a framework for the next scene. Then I can start to consider the weapon - what happens?- and motive.
What and why. Much harder and more complicated. When I was querying agents, one very helpfully suggested I read STORY by Robert McKee. It’s about the craft of screenwriting, but the key message - no scene that doesn’t turn - applies equally to writing a novel. It means that something of note has to change in every scene for it to work. Maybe a character believes something at the beginning of the scene and by the end doesn’t. Or likes someone at the beginning of the scene and by the end hates or loves them. Or sees them in a completely new way. Or does something that changes the nature of their relationship.
In full disclosure, I only read the first chapter of STORY, but that key advice is what I ask myself when I’m trying to decide the what. What could happen between the MC and love interest at her house that will turn the scene and move me closer to Point Z?
This is not a question best answered at the keyboard.
I do it in the between time - in the shower, the car, washing dishes. I end each writing session by leaving myself short notes about the who and where. One from my current WIP: Rafe (love interest) at house to drop something off for benefit. Then I spend the hours between thinking about my MC and love interest. Where do I see their relationship now? Do I want it to take a step forward or back in the next scene? Should she reveal anything to him or him to her? By the time I sit back down, I have a pretty good idea of what might happen to turn that scene, also understanding the why and how it’s getting me closer to Point Z. Enough that I can start putting words on the page.
Not all of drafting is this hard or formulaic, of course. Sometimes the next scene is obvious. The MC learns her friend is in the hospital so, of course, that’s where she’ll go. Or she just had a huge fight with the love interest, so she’ll seek out a confidant or go somewhere to think.
Sometimes, the mental Clue game doesn’t lead to a solid answer, but it always helps me see possibilities in the story.
And then, when it’s writing time again, I sit down and do it, working with as much of the who, where, what, why as I’ve been able to answer. Sometimes I’m still muddling around a bit, but at least I’m getting words on paper, closing in on Point Z so I can start the fun stuff: editing.
Jen Nadol grew up Reading, PA, hometown of John Updike, Taylor Swift and the Monopoly railroad. She has a BA in literature from American University and her lived in Washington CD, Boston, NYC and now, in 150 year old farmhouse in Westchester County, NY with her husband and three young sons. She has no paranormal abilities - and she’s pretty happy about that. THE MARK is her first novel. You can find out more about her at her website .
Don't forget to check out annemariewrites for another author post on Monday and on Tuesday, Melissa Walker author of LOVESTRUCK SUMMER and VIOLET ON THE RUNWAY will share how she writes a draft.