This weekend I did something I've never done before - I wrote the last scene in a book long before the end of the book was in sight.
It wasn't intentional. I didn't sit down and say wow, let's write the last scene in the book because, heck, I don't really even know what this book is about - yet. But I am continuing on my bit by bit method of writing these three stories at once by just trying to write a single scene every night before bed. Of late they have all been in the plant book and that's okay. The character is very real to me and, I almost hesitate to say this, but I may have found his voice which goes a long way to bringing a book to life.
Friday night I knew I wanted to write a scene about the MC and a particular plant. So I did. And then I reread it, as is my habit before turning out the light and I realized that it was the very last scene in the book and suddenly I knew where I was headed. I have no idea how I'm going to get there but that's okay, I have a goal for this kid.
Saturday night's scene was prompting by watching my husband spend most of his Saturday pulling weeds in the yard. So I set the MC to pulling weeds. And in the process of writing the scene I had that wonderful experience where, before you can even get the words down, you can see the whole scene unfold in front of you. I gave him a simple task to do which set something else in motion which created a conflict that I needed but didn't know how to orchastrate.
Sunday night's scene was an apology that was not accepted.
I have no title for this book. I don't even know if I have the main character's name for sure and I'm not sure I know what his problem is or what he wants.
But I have scenes. And for now, that's enough.
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Comments
Hope I can figure out how to link all those scenes together when it comes time. LOL
And now I have a sub-plot too!
BTW, I just watched your amazing book trailer and all I can say is WOW! I hope it helps books fly off the shelf for you. By the time it got to the polar bear, I was shaking.
In John Truby's book, The Anatomy of Story, he says to start the pattern of character change from the END, where the self-revelation happens. Then, when you know where that is, go back & see where your MC has to change FROM. The big historical event in my WIP has to come near the end, so I'm trying to look at the story this way. It's tricky, definitely tricky.
I think it would be hard (for me) to begin a book with the end in mind and then figure out where the MC has to change until after I wrote the book. Then I can see applying Truby's advice to the next draft. So often I don't know what the defining, black moment is going to be (though I suspect it in one of my three projects) until I have a crappy first draft.
Yea for you! I love the thought of just writing scenes here and there. I'm thinking I might try this over the summer months while the campground is busy. Whenever one of those in-my-head-movies starts to play, I'll try to get it down on paper. If nothing else, I'll still feeling like I'm writing . . .
I think the scenes in bits and pieces would be great for you when the campground is busy! You would be able to stay connected to your story. Index cards would be good too. You can always keep a couple in your back pocket and whip one out when you have a few minutes.
And yes, they are beginning more real to me in the process which is good. I won't worry until I start to set an extra place at the table for them. :-)