Writing is a neverending process. Whether you plot out the story, outline the story, jot down general ideas, or just start typing, there will come a time when you have to go back to see if it all makes sense.
This is true for short stories as well as novels. But how does someone who writes by the seat of their pants revise and take notes? You’re about to find out. I am going to show you.
Notebook and pen or laptop, when I have an idea for a story, I start writing it out to make sure I don’t forget it. This blog is the perfect example. I write the stories here, and then I go back and revise them when I can. So, what you’re getting is a writer’s rough drafts and changes.
I decided to do something a little different for this series and show you my thought process on why I make changes. I hope you like it.
Just My Luck Chapter 1
When I initially wrote this passage, I thought it made perfect sense. After all, she was snatched at a club, and panic would sink in when you notice you’re tied up.
However, in order to set up a flashback, I had to add a little more to it, and that is what I did in the colored blocks.
I want you to know more about Laura, but I don’t want to sling you into a flashback out of left field.
I realized this after watching a writing class video.
Laura sat there still fuzzy about what happened the night before. She knew she had kept an eye on her drink and never walked away without taking it. She always put her hand over it when she looked away. She did everything right. So how did she wind up in a dark room with a flickering bulb that could go out at any second? Her eyes flew open wide as her mind injected the terror as to what might have happened.
Oh my God. I’m back in the closet. Wait.
She took a deep breath and realized the space was bigger than a closet. A new panic set into the mind.
Did he rape me?
Here is another instance where I failed to set something up in the story. It led to a continuity issue later.
So, I added her thoughts on how hard it was to cast a spell for her that would normally be a routine thing.
“You know big words.” He went to slap her again, and his hand hit an invisible wall. His face was a mask of pain as the familiar crunch of bone was heard. He pointed with his good hand.
“How did you-“
“How did I cast without waving my hands? Practice, big boy, and you might not want to do that again.”
That shouldn’t have been hard to cast. What’s with this place? It felt like I was reaching through mud to cast the spell.
He stuck the injured hand in her face, “Fix it.”
In this chapter, I described a swinging light bulb that barely lit anything. I forgot about that. I added more instances of the light in the room and also this:
He pointed at the bulb, “While you are at it, see if you can fix the lighting. It’s abysmal.”
You can’t negotiate very well if you can’t see anything, right?
“Uh, right. No gag. I can see if I can find a new bulb or a standing lamp. This place isn’t big on a lot of light.” He was in front of her in two strides with a large greasy emerald colored finger in her face.
I am not saying all orcs are dumb, but this one isn’t the brightest in bulb in the pack. I added him acknowledging the need for more light here.
In my revisions, I realized I might have a second adventure for Flashpoint and the crew. I may have to jot it down.
Until next time,
Anissa “Maddy” Walker
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