Writing from Start to Finish

As I mentioned last time, you're probably aware of the advice to plot your novel using an outline. Doing so usually translates to writing your story in order: beginning, middle and then, the end.  And I think that process probably works for many people. 

But, along with preferring not to create a formal plot outline, I also don’t write linearly, i.e., from beginning to end. If I waited to write scenes that clearly indicate an ending or a beginning or that go in order, I probably would be waiting a long time. Instead, I write when the inspiration hits and is fresh--usually in the early hours of the morning. The scene could be part of what I call the amorphous middle, the beginning or the end. Of course, if one only writes when the inspiration hits, it could take a long time to complete any work but luckily, I find that inspiration builds and when that happens, writing flows and several scenes later, before you know it, you’ve advanced the plot significantly. 

I will admit that there are serious drawbacks to writing in this way. For example, meeting a short deadline could be difficult. One important challenge is ensuring and maintaining internal logical consistency to the story, particularly if some scenes are written years apart, like in The Shadow Emperor. In addition, editing a work written this way can be an arduous undertaking  requiring months-long review. 

However, despite these disadvantages, you may find the scenes driven by feeling jump out at you when read, eliciting emotion and reaction, the words sounding crisp and right. It’s almost like serendipity. There couldn’t be a more amazing feeling.