I went to hear the author Michael Connelly speak in Seattle last night. His books are great — thrillers with more depth (and much more variety) than most. Unlike many authors, he talked about his work rather than read from his latest book. Turns out he does it the “Getting Real” way (although he never called it that). No outline. No database of characters (even though he brought back characters from a book he wrote 15 years earlier). Basically, he said he starts with the first scene in mind, and the last. Then he just starts. Sometimes he gets stuck (which is why he brought back a character from 15 years ago). But he said he wants to spend his time working on his book, not “working” on outlines and plans.
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An email from SvN reader Harvey Motulsky
An email from SvN reader Harvey Motulsky
Tathagata
on 12 Aug 09Maybe, just maybe, working on outlines and plans is a higher form of art that very few can master. I am sure I am no where near mastering it. However, who knows, maybe there are people who really understand and do it well.
Happy
on 12 Aug 09Stephen King does the same. Here’s what he says in “Stephen King On Writing”.
“I distrust plot for two reasons: first, because our lives are largely plotless, even when you ad in all our reasonable precautions and careful planning; and second, because I believe plotting and spontaneity of real creation are not compatible. My basic belief about stories is they pretty much make themselves. The job of the writer is to give them a place to grow (and to transcribe them, of course). “
“The situation comes first. The characters – always flat and unfeatured to begin with – come netxt. Once these things are fixed in my mind, I begin to narrate. I often have an idea of what the outcome may be, but I have never demanded a set of characters to do things my way. On the contrary, I want them to do things their way. In some instances, the outcome is what I visualized. In most, however, it’s something I never expected. For suspense novelist, this is a great thing. I am, after all, not just the novel’s creator but its first reader. And if I’m not able to guess how the damed thing is going to turn out, even with my inside knowledge of coming events, I can be pretty sure of keeping the reader in a state of page-turning anxiety.” (p. 163-164)
He also makes it clear several times in the book that “The story is the story.” and that only the story is the story. The character-wheel is not, the plot notecards is not, the formula is not – only the story is the story.
I recommend “Stephen King On Writing” to anyone involved in a creative task, not just writing.
ML
on 12 Aug 09@Happy: Yes, it’s a great book for sure. Posted about it here previously.
Happy
on 12 Aug 09Ah – that’s possibly where I first heard of it then. :)
Eden Jaeger
on 12 Aug 09Glad to hear it. This is how I’ve always done my writing, and I’ve always had it in the back of my head that I’m ‘doing it wrong’. Maybe there is still hope!
This discussion is closed.