Writing can be described as rock climbing with each decision your characters make being a hand or foothold which pulls your closer to the top.
There’s a whole knew vocabulary one learns when one decides to go down the authorly route.
Are you a plotter or are you a pantser?
At first you demur and say that you’re not sure in the hopes that you’ve not just offended the questioner because, gosh darn it, some people get very passionate about the ‘right’ way of doing things – declare your allegience! Oh my!
After all some of the world’s most famous and prolific authors were ‘plotters’, perhaps that’s the write right way to go?
Personally, I don’t like the ‘either/or’ nature of the question as though were two distinct and discrete forms of writing and never the twain shall meet.
Nearer the truth, I think, is that all writers are a little of both, going with the creative flow when the wellspring is bubbling forth but within the frame work of the overall story arc.
For now on I’m going to describe myself as a rock climber.
My initial two page treatment covers all the major plot points and it is what keeps me anchored when it comes time to write. It means that I’m free to take a few risks because it is not the destination but the journey along the way.
The hand and foot holds on your creative rock climbing wall represents all the possibilities open to your characters. Each represents a choice they make before the they get to the final destination – the top of the wall, the happily ever after.
Rock climbing requires you to stretch yourself to make those great heights and so too does an author need to stretch themselves to reach the height of where their craft will take them.
No choice they make is wrong and, as long as you’re moving upward, then your story is moving forward. Will your characters take the most direct route or will be meander across the wall, trying something new?
Either way, that is part of the joy of writing stories, you never truly know as you become guided by the voice of your characters who will grow stronger as you get to know them along this journey.
And if you get stuck, then let go.
Swing back away from the wall, knowing that you are securely tethered and look for another way to get to the top.
It can be very easy to get fixated on making the plot unfold in a particular way but by letting go and taking the time to look at your story from a greater perspective, you can make an adjustment to your course and move on.