Congratulations, Pamela! An outline in an hour? That's impressive. And it means that fiction really is liberating to you. I advise my students who are struggling with fiction to spend a few days writing flash memoir--which often helps them get back to a place of feeling inspired. It sounds like moving from memoir to fiction is doing the same thing for you.
The one piece of advice I would give, now that you have that outline, is to be guided by it but not married to it. The joy of fiction is the many ways it can open up and take both writer and reader to unexpected places.
Wow! Thank you so much Michelle for reading & commenting on my post. To my knowledge, You are the first New York Times best-selling author to do so at my nearly one year anniversary on Substack. I'm honored that you took the time.
I definitely find writing fiction a LOT more fun but still challenging. I appreciate your advice! I've been expanding on my original outline to create more of the storyline and I've already found that I've added some new situations and people and made a few other changes. I'm enjoying seeing where the protagonist takes me as long as she continues to be on a self discovery adventure!
Your outline process sounds terrific. It's always about finding what works for you--which may change from book to book. It is interesting how a new character introduced at just the right moment can turn the story in an interesting, surprising way.
That's exciting, Pamela! I hope it's still going well!
It is! I'm having so much fun. ❤️
Congratulations, Pamela! An outline in an hour? That's impressive. And it means that fiction really is liberating to you. I advise my students who are struggling with fiction to spend a few days writing flash memoir--which often helps them get back to a place of feeling inspired. It sounds like moving from memoir to fiction is doing the same thing for you.
The one piece of advice I would give, now that you have that outline, is to be guided by it but not married to it. The joy of fiction is the many ways it can open up and take both writer and reader to unexpected places.
Wow! Thank you so much Michelle for reading & commenting on my post. To my knowledge, You are the first New York Times best-selling author to do so at my nearly one year anniversary on Substack. I'm honored that you took the time.
I definitely find writing fiction a LOT more fun but still challenging. I appreciate your advice! I've been expanding on my original outline to create more of the storyline and I've already found that I've added some new situations and people and made a few other changes. I'm enjoying seeing where the protagonist takes me as long as she continues to be on a self discovery adventure!
It's such a gift when the writing is fun!
Your outline process sounds terrific. It's always about finding what works for you--which may change from book to book. It is interesting how a new character introduced at just the right moment can turn the story in an interesting, surprising way.
I'll be 66 this month. I'm so grateful to be finally, fully embracing my love of writing. Thank you so much for your encouragement!. ❤️