Planning

Right, that’s the easy part over; coming up with the title of this Blog entry. So let me tell you why this is going to be my subject. As you will know if you’ve been following me, I’ve now finished my latest book and am in the process of going through an intense edit. Well, I was discussing it with a work colleague and friend at the end of last week and I asked him, “What did you think of that bit in the last chapter?” ‘What bit was that?”

You know that sinking feeling? You got it! When I came up with the idea for this book and was fortunately able to come up with the ending too, I came up with something that was a “MUST”. It would clearly show evidence of closure for my heroine’s journey. So, opening up the file again, I started reading but the closer I got to the end the deeper the feeling became in my stomach. Sure enough, guess what didn’t make it in. Okay, this will obviously be included when I get around to this chapter, but does this mean something?

Have I subconsciously left it out because it wasn’t needed? Possibly. Do I like what’s missing? Certainly, very much so. Will it be put back? At this moment, yes. Does it deserve to be there – no question. Which brings me to – planning. Does this show a lack of planning? Obviously yes, but everyone plans things differently, and this applies to planning a book probably more than most things. I know people who use cards stuck to boards; some write things down in a notebook; you get the gist. There are more ways to plan than there are to shake a stick. Myself, I write things down in notebooks and in text files on my computer. So, should I have been more careful with following my notes when writing the appropriate chapter? The obvious answer is yes but it also doesn’t mean that what I ended up with is really wrong.

When I was writing the chapter (cliché alert), the words were just flowing and I had to get them down so, why didn’t the missing bit rear its head and demand to make its appearance if it was so important? Honest answer is, I don’t know. Which just goes to show that we can plan as much as we like, but the words have a mind of their own.

Do I intend changing how I plan my writing now? I should say, yes, but I also know myself and though I would like to be better organised, I’m also realistic enough to know that though I can change these habits, it will likely not be for a while.

So, my advice to you Dear Follower – I was going to advise you to make sure that if you plan, you follow that plan to the letter, but that’s too strict, not to mention, not possible when reality kicks in. Sure, go ahead and plan but at the end of the day, just go and have fun with your writing.

(And if you want a very boring drinking game, just re-read this and have two-fingers of whatever your tipple is whenever you come across the word “plan” or “planning”.

Every fortnight, Mick will be chatting about his experience as a male author in the romantic genre.  Mick is a forty-something member of the Romantic Novelists Association, New Writers Scheme. He lives in Northamptonshire and is the proud keeper of a cat bent on world domination.When he’s not trying to write books, Mick has a deep-seated love of reading that he’s brought from his teens to the current day with no signs of waning. He’s also mad on the music of the Beach Boys and enjoys the theatre and humouring his Manchester United supporting wife. Mick can be followed on Twitter

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Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.