The Art of the Multi-tasker

While planning for my new project, I realised that the first part is relatively easy. You have ideas for two or three characters in your head, they have names, faces, characteristics. Heck, something even happens (this, the inciting incident on the plot chart), and then it takes a bit more effort to think of something beyond what it was that demanded your attention in the first place.

The plot arc looks lop-sided, with one-third scribbled on and the other four-fifths blank, that's how much logic you're left with when the imagination takes over! But it feels like there's nothing else to write about. The mind goes suddenly blank, and then you think...

Then what!

When the question is supposed to be

What if?


Today, the answer seemed to be to write what is already known about the story - the introduction. I knew that I had a cracking opening sequence, and wanted to get it onto paper. I wrote a few hundred words that exploded onto the page, introducing the main characters and their reaction to the inciting incident, whilst creating a book full of questions. And now, I had a bit more substance to progress with the initial goal of the day: The planning process.

Perhaps writing and planning aren't meant to be tasks undertaken in isolation, but carried out simultaneously.

Brainstorming

I was ready to create an adult world where love and romance is hot and steamy, but it didn't materialise. Instead, I came up with ideas for a YA novel, and so, this is the story that I'm going to go with - call it gut instinct or whatever else you like, but if that's the story that arrives in your head, and knocks to be let in, it must, at least be given some worthy consideration.

Brainstorming is a funny old pastime.