We invited M&B Historical Romance author Nicole Locke and she is sharing with us about her writing techniques. She also has news of giveaways of signed copies of her book!
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Nicole first discovered romance novels hidden in her grandmother's
closet. Convinced hidden books must be better, Nicole greedily read them. It
was only natural she should start writing them (but now not so secretly). If
she isn't working on the next book in the Lovers and Legends historical series,
she can be reached at:
I’m envious of people who can write their
stories chronologically. Not because they seem to have a whole sweeping arc of
their story because my imagination always plays the whole story like a film.
I’m envious because I think the writing
process wouldn’t be so messy. If you
write chronologically, it’s like putting away your clothes—in order. You simply
pick up one sock, then the other, before folding them together and placing them
in a drawer.
But the way I write is by scenes. I’m no
sooner finishing up Chapter 3, then my brain jumps to Chapter 20. The way I put
away ‘clothes’ is by picking up one sock from a corner, forgetting its matching
pair, and picking up a scarf from under the bed. By the time I get to the end
of the book, I forgot to write a drawer in which to put my clothes away…assuming
that I can find the matching sock, which I almost never can.
Scrivener is a great help to organising
plot bits of a story. But the way I write doesn’t help with the emotional arc
of the story. I could write the scene where the heroine saves the day in
Chapter 20, and I could guess what she is going to say and feel when it happens,
but my characters always surprise me as I write them. So, by the time I return
to that sweeping ending where she brandishes her sword, it won’t fit and I toss
out 7k words.
Can I force it? No, never. I try, but it
doesn’t work. By the time I get to that point, my heroine doesn’t brandish a sword,
she’s learned to paralyze with a quick jab to the neck.
So, these matters can be fixed with a synopsis
and deep character analysis, right? Nope. I always do a synopsis and character
analysis, but these are first impressions of the character. They may give me
some quirks and background, but they don’t reveal the depth of a person. I can
bang out a synopsis in a day or two. But it takes me months to write a novel.
By that time, I’ve spent months with my heroine, and I know she wants karate
lessons.
So that sweeping ending when I thought the
heroine wanted a sword, goes in the bin.
Twice now, I’ve attempted to write in
chronological order. And I do well up until Chapter 4, but that’s when my brain
jumps to different upcoming scenes. I can’t control or force myself either. So,
I’m trying something new this time.
Still using Scrivener, still writing in
scenes, but since I think of the stories like films, I’ve broken it down to
three Acts, with the large emotional turning points propelling the story from
Act 1 to Act 2, etc.
Instead of allowing myself to write
different scenes from Act 1, 2, 3, I’m writing only Act 1 scenes. Not only the
plot points, but the emotional ones as well. To make it easier for me, I’m
writing them in any order I want. I’ve accepted that my brain can’t write
chronologically, but I can’t write messily either because it’s not efficient.
Absolutely it’ll take a bit more discipline
to stay within Act 1, but this way still gives me wiggle room to be creative.
Or at least a room where I didn’t forget to write in a drawer in Act 1, so I
can’t put my socks away in Act 3.
The Knight's Scarred Maiden (Lovers and
Legends)
A maiden
for the mercenary
Mercenary
knight Rhain is living on borrowed time. With a vengeful warlord pursuing him,
he has accepted his fate—though first he must get his men to safety.
When he
rescues mysterious and deeply scarred Helissent from her attackers, Rhain soon
wishes he wasn't marked for death. He can never be the man she deserves—his
scandalous lineage alone dictates that—but Rhain can't resist the temptation to
show this innocent maiden how beautiful she truly is…
Lovers and Legends A clash of
Celtic passions
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win signed copies on Goodreads!
Goodreads Book Giveaway
The Knight's Scarred Maiden
by Nicole Locke
Giveaway ends August 30, 2017.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
I love that idea that hidden books must be better :-) Always interesting to hear about other people's experiences with Scrivener. I've found it really useful to organize my chaotic writing style.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ellen! I wish I utilized Scrivener better. The 'corkboard' always intrigues me....
DeleteWhen I worked I could write my reports in chronological order. Now that I'm retired I have to work at it much more. Must be a perishable skill.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day and thanks for visiting Comedy Plus. ☺
Hello Sandee! I've never been chrono in anything except maybe the years I'm living in...but then even that sometimes eludes me. :-) If it's perishable, I lost it long ago....
DeleteI jump around sometimes, too. As long as the book gets written, there's no right or wrong way to draft it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're right about that draft, but then I keep thinking there's an easier way...
DeleteAnd books that you must hide are equally enticing. :-) I loved stashing those ripped bodice covers between my mattress and springs. Of course, I was caught by my very tidy grandmother. She cleaned everywhere! Congratulations to Nicole on her book.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I was very lucky to be able to share romances with my grandmother. I wrote a #HarlequinMoment about it: http://www.soyouthinkyoucanwrite.com/2016/06/my-harlequinmoment-by-nicole-locke/
DeleteI love Scrivener for reasons like this! I'm (slowly and painfully) learning to plot - and it's great for that as well :)
ReplyDeleteOne of the best books I read about plot was by James Scott Bell called Plot and Structure. Not that I followed it, but it helped me remember all my Shakespeare classes at University and the importance of Acts. Truly motivating as well.
DeleteHi Kelly and Nicole - interesting to see how you break down your 'workings' - a good way of thinking about it ... but as I don't write books - it's a good lesson to stash away in case. I am about to get stuck into Scrivener ... another great learning tool. Good luck with the books - there's a lot of happy punters ready to read romance -those were the days! Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThanks Hilary! You're going to use Scrivener for your blog? You'd be very organised! Now you've got me thinking about how to sort my posts!
DeleteYes Nicole - I'm going to use it to put into 'booklet' form ... ie using the A-Z style (we do in April each year) - 26 - 30 blog posts into different collections ... then I can publish them. I think it'd help with blog posts too ... cheers Hilary
DeleteGreat to meet you, Nicole. I love how each one of us writes a different way. The secret is finding what works for you. I tried a few different ways, too, before coming back to what is natural for me.
ReplyDeleteHello Carol! Good to see you again! I'm glad I try different techniques to write because I've incorporated so many writing tips over the years. But you're right, it does come down to what is natural, and just blending in the other ideas....
DeleteAll the different techniques are fascinating. Happy Writing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Darla! I'm on deadline today so finishing up Nicholas' story...
DeleteThere have been times when I skipped several chapters so I could write a scene that was drawing all of my attention.
ReplyDeleteHello Chrys! Were you able to find your way back?
DeleteWhat an interesting post! Wishing Nicole the best of luck. Sounds like a great read. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have ever skipped ahead a few chapters to work on something later in the book- but I did consider that when I was writing something in January. I was worried I would get thrown off- but maybe I will give it a try next time the mood hits. :)
~Jess
If you can writing chronologically, I'm envious! Better yet if it works, don't break it! :-)
DeleteI love how everyone has such different writing techniques. I could never write out of order! But I love this messy style--it sounds so much more fun :)
ReplyDeleteI've read dozens of books on how to write, and no matter what, it all comes down to what works for the individual. Which is fun and yet frustrating when first learning the craft!
DeleteWe all have our own ways of writing. What works for one might not work for another. I'm a plotter who works chronologically, but I'm fascinated by people who write like you.
ReplyDeleteI so wish I could write chrono! I'm going to try again on the next book... If not, back to this tried and true method!
DeleteSometimes I wish I could be messier when I write, because then getting stuck on a little point won't bring the whole process to a halt. But alas, no.
ReplyDeleteGetting stuck is not my problem, but narrowing my focus and POV is definitely a drawback for me!
Delete