September 8th, 2013: Starting
Starting with my Idea:
I’ve written before, having completed three spec 1 hour Television Series scripts, three spec movie screenplays, two freelance articles for a now defunked startup Gadget Magazine and one paid, non-union indie production screenplay that I don’t think ever actually got made into a picture once the co-producer died. This is over my lifetime, so not really the best example of a productive writing model, but I’ve now made a decision that I will write a novel while staying true to my beliefs.
This is a turning point for me as my previous interests had been in the Hollywood entertainment industry so when my life was changed by faith in God, it didn’t hold the same appeal. I also didn’t want to promote my previous works as well. Having no work to really promote, my writing aspirations seemed to be on ice.
In the back of my mind, though, through the years, was the idea of writing a novel. This has now come front and center and I’ve begun the process with the intention of completing this as my goal. This started with a process I’ve done before, but I have since validated as a method other writers have used as well. I’ve been envisioning my story for the last few weeks, seeing each scene and allowing myself to ask the “what ifs” that send the story in an entirely different direction.
Having now come up with the basic story I’d like to tell, I’m writing an outline that I’m trying to keep brief, just so that I can pick up and continue with the original idea if I find myself stalled. Once the basic outline is completed, I’ll begin the writing process, holding the story loosely and allowing myself to create new ideas on the fly.
I’m anxious to get started, but still feel that I need the Outline to be finished first, so I’m working on this now. Others use extremely brief outlines to start their novel, others include so much detail, that it’s practically a novel in itself. I’m of the camp that lands somewhere in between the two philosophies. I want enough detail so that I know where I had envisioned going (even if I decide to disregard that later) but not so much detail that I end up writing the first draft twice.
So here I go, into my hopefully brief outline to capture my story thoughts. Wish me good providence and say a prayer for my success, if you think about it.