I think I've written myself into a hole! My novel was coming along so nicely, everthing was flowing, the ideas were meshing into a complete picture, then BAM! I realized that I was leading my MC Sera into a trap - and I have no idea how to get her out!
Authors, has this ever happened to you? And if so, did you back up and start down a brand new path or just keep plugging away until the perfect resolution showed itself?
I can't imagine giving up on where this story has been heading all along and trying to contrive a new direction for it...but I'm stuck!
I actually just did this to myself. I tried and tried to make it work but just could figure out a plausible fix to this problem. I put it away for a few days and realized that I had to back WAY WAY WAY up and do a major rewrite. I fought that gut feeling I had and thought 'no way. I'm going to make this work'. It didn't. Now I"m up to my chest in a major rewrite but loving every second of it so far. The story just clicks now.
ReplyDeleteMy suggestion is put it away for a bit (maybe a couple of hours, days, weeks...) and try not to think about your darling character's that are driving you nuts at the moment. You just might have an 'ah ha' moment and it will just all make sense.
You can also back up a chapter at a time and see what you can change to make different or at least altered path for your character.
I think I'm going to bolster up a few of the earlier chapters that I've found to be lacking while I wait for a lightbulb moment...
ReplyDeleteI really REALLY hope that moment comes, I can't imagine a better way for the story to progress, and I'm pretty attached to the plot as is...even though I only started this twist a few days ago.
So you find the rewrite to be as easy/satisfying/exciting as the original? That's a thought. I had thought of it as a horrible last resort, but maybe it's just what the story needs.
Definitely going to take a break from the story going forward for a day or two... But what will I #1k1hr about now? hehe
Hey Heather! Yes, I write myself into a hole every time I undertake a story. Seems to happen every time! I usually just take a short break, do some plotting, reevaluating, and get back to writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for following my blog. You should get a follower gadget so I can follow yours! You asked a great question in the comment section today. I'm going to write a post about it next Monday. :)
Hi Katie!
ReplyDeleteI added the Follower gadget again, I had removed it accidentally, removing all of my Followers at the same time, and just never put it back on.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who keeps writing impossible plots/incidents!! There might be hope for me yet! :)
I do that a lot with my MCs! I actually find it quite inspirational to get them into situations without knowing how to get them out. Then I walk away and contemplate all their options - as long as they survive (even if it's just barely).
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't read Stieg Larsson's series I recommend you try it - I've never seen any MC go through so much and come out the other end. :-)