That Writing Sparkle

Sparkling water

We all wish writing a book was an activity that flowed perfectly from our heads into words, sentences, paragraphs that encapsulated exactly what we were dreaming up when we had The Idea for the book.

But where would the fun in that be?

I've talked about how the love of writing is as much a love of tinkering as anything else. Because that's how you make a book good. Endlessly asking questions, looking at the plot and characters, figuring out what makes the story better or what the main story even is. It's a lot of messing things up, putting them back together, re-working, deleting, re-writing.

The tinkering is where the magic is, usually. But sometimes even tinkering leaves you confused.

I knew THE ETERNAL NIGHT SOIREE was misisng something essential. It wasn't working despite many machinations to make it work. And, after talking it out with my sister, I had one of those so coveted AHA moments.

It all clicked. I knew exactly what needed to be done (as well as how much extra work I'd eagerly signed myself up for!). The outline came so easily I can't believe I didn't see it before. And, even now, I can see what I want for the story playing out like a movie in my head.

So, if you've been tinkering to no end, unhappy with your story, try talking through some of the the things that aren't working and why with a friend or beta reader. Someone you trust to tell you the truth, and care more about the story being great than potentially hurting your feelings for not liking the way the book is working.

Unfortunately, I'm in the midst of a first draft for another book I need to see through, but as soon as that's done, I'm diving headfirst into my new plan for NIGHT SOIREE with so much renewed excitement for the story I loved.

That writing sparkle is back!