The title of this blog was originally, ‘Deadlines be Dammed’, which sounds brash, but that isn’t what I needed to write.
I came across a Writer’s Digest course being offered by Paula Munier, called the Plot Perfect Bootcamp and something in the title called out to me.
Not to mention, I thoroughly enjoy sitting in a lecture room while Paula captivates her audience with her smile, her love of dogs and her bold encouragment to do better.
So, I signed up.
I am mid-course. I say ‘mid’ because I signed up late, missed several deadlines and haven’t completed my homework.
But, I am proud regardless of what I have completed so far.
Not only was I encouraged to read a book before the course release (as Paula’s examples would be based on this book), but they were asking me to hand in a colour coordinated, well-thought-out, plot summary or synopsis the follow day. Sheesh. Who was I kidding?
I’m late. I still haven’t handed it in.
I’ve been in a ‘writers funk’ for a few weeks.
Not really writers block, but not feeling good about being a writer. I put it down to;
- not making the time to write
- day-job related stress and
- the lack of sleep/hydration.
The good news – I’m coming out of my writer’s funk.
Thank you, Bootcamp. You have done a thorough job of kicking my buttoonski.
By completing this course, I now understand how to measure if a scene should be
included or cut
from my current work in progress. I am 50,000 words in to the first draft of my paranormal fantasy and I’m struggling about how to get to the end. I know the end, but not how to get there.
The answer – through my THEME.
Allow me to explain. For years at our veterinary hospital, we have struggled over day to day decisions. Should we advertise in that paper? Is this person a good fit for our team? Do we need to purchase more monitoring equipment? It took a few courses, years of struggle and hiring the write advisors to learn that we needed to know who we were and what we were about to help make all those decisions. In practice, this is called your ‘values’ or ‘mission’ statement. In your novel, it is your THEME.
If we are a veterinary practice that is all about the pet, presenting value to the client (good return on their investment) and courtesy/respect to each other and our clients- these decisions become easier. By knowing who we are, we know that a team member who is unkind, isn’t a good fit for us and advertising in a high end luxury magazine, doesn’t fit who we are.
For my novel, it took a weekend of brainstorming to discover that I had no idea (I did, but I couldn’t tell you succintly) what my current novel is ABOUT. Although it is about the human animal bond, pet sickness, superwoman-veterinary-powers and the unique dynamics within a veterinary college – it’s about that, as much as it isn’t ABOUT all that.
Simply put, my novel is about confidence, love and power. About finding confidence in the face of crippling anxiety, the love we receive from pets, friends and family and the power struggle within an educational institution.
Once I figured this out, it was easier to see my subplots, easier to define the moments that needed to happen and the scenes I could easily cut.
As I write forward, all I need to ask is;
- Does this fit my theme?
- Does this scene embody what my book is about?
- What am I trying to say about my theme?
If it doesn’t fit my theme—cut it.
If it isn’t in my novel yet, but fits—I need to write it.
Wish me luck.
