The Plot Thickens

The pressure is building. My kids are desperate to start writing, so I decided to let off a little pressure today. We discussed plot structure, and they got a chance to begin outlining their stories. I read through a couple kids' notes and I have to admit, there are some really good ideas out there. The creativity level is amazing! Egg-laying zombies, ape lords, and centaurs are just the tip of the iceberg.

Also noteworthy is how facilitating YWP is challenging my own creativity. I've never outlined my own plot before, preferring to just write and see what happens. It's pretty amazing how just thinking about the story brings forth new ideas. My own story has mutated quite a bit from what it was when I first started this thing.

I did something today that I've never done before: I shared some excerpts from my first novel with my class. I began by telling them that only one person in the world had ever read my novel.

"Do you know who that was?" I asked.

"You!" they all replied.

"Nope!" I said.

They were pretty confused. I explained to them that after I wrote the thing, I never went back and read it (I always tell people that I'm letting it age like cheese before I start the rewrite). My wife is the only person who has ever read my book...until today.

I was talking about how it's not uncommon for your characters or the story itself to take on a life of its own and kind of...rebel. To give an example, I read one scene where I threw in some (at the time) insignificant details, and another scene in which those details ended up being of some importance. Writing is funny that way.

That was the first time I've ever shared any of my book with someone other than my wife. It was very nerve-wracking, and to my surprise, the bits I read didn't seem to be as bad as I thought were going to be.

I might get that thing published yet. ;)