I'm all over the map. Two short stories I wrote recently, I almost immediately knew how they ended (rare). The writing was a matter of getting there. On the other hand, I had only a single vivid image of how the story started, but not a clue as to the ending, let alone the middle. Took me years before writing the story (one of my personal favorites), and joyfully, it was published recently. Whatever works.
I also use the backflip method with most of my short stories. The more time you take to try and find the best plot to support the twist, the better the story comes out
I often do what Scott does: see the end first, having a pretty specific sense of where I want it to land, then begin working toward that vision. I find that if I can’t see the finale, I struggle. Then again, I’m typically writing flash, so the end better be memorable or it’s not worth the writing.
In 300 or 500 words there's not much time or room to poke around. It's pretty much: this is what the story is about, boom! When I write flash, I don't think in terms of beginning, middle, or end. It's a situation and a swing of the hammer. Most of what I write hovers in the 3000 words range, and there's more flex in those. My problem with having an ending pre-defined was that the story was on the long side. I'm very happy with it, though.
I'll let you in on a secret, the new story takes place just before Love You Till Tuesday... yes, I'm doing a George Lucas Star Wars move, I mess with the timeline...
Great food for thought! Can’t wait for the next Declan Shaw novel. I almost always have THE END in mind when drafting but characters do surprise me! ❤️
Yet more proof that every writer has their own way of doing things, and typically writers have more than one way of writing a story. I recently wrote a 5000-word short story in which I started with the last line and then worked toward it from the beginning. That was a new experience for me.
Yes, I have occasionally, in a book, written the last chapter when I was halfway through the manuscript. It just felt right and I didn't want the 'fire' to go out if I waited too long.
I'm all over the map. Two short stories I wrote recently, I almost immediately knew how they ended (rare). The writing was a matter of getting there. On the other hand, I had only a single vivid image of how the story started, but not a clue as to the ending, let alone the middle. Took me years before writing the story (one of my personal favorites), and joyfully, it was published recently. Whatever works.
"a matter of getting there", yes, that's my way too! Usually...
I also use the backflip method with most of my short stories. The more time you take to try and find the best plot to support the twist, the better the story comes out
Interesting read. We writers have various approaches. Good to see some in articles like this. Makes me feel a teensy weensy bit less weird.
Many ways to get the job done! We eventually find our own recipes...
Love that the interview became a jump off point!
I take my inspiration wherever I can!
I often do what Scott does: see the end first, having a pretty specific sense of where I want it to land, then begin working toward that vision. I find that if I can’t see the finale, I struggle. Then again, I’m typically writing flash, so the end better be memorable or it’s not worth the writing.
In 300 or 500 words there's not much time or room to poke around. It's pretty much: this is what the story is about, boom! When I write flash, I don't think in terms of beginning, middle, or end. It's a situation and a swing of the hammer. Most of what I write hovers in the 3000 words range, and there's more flex in those. My problem with having an ending pre-defined was that the story was on the long side. I'm very happy with it, though.
Love You Till Tuesday? What happens then? Ooh, that's creepy : ) The cover is awesome Ms. Proctor
I'll let you in on a secret, the new story takes place just before Love You Till Tuesday... yes, I'm doing a George Lucas Star Wars move, I mess with the timeline...
Messing with timelines is good
Great food for thought! Can’t wait for the next Declan Shaw novel. I almost always have THE END in mind when drafting but characters do surprise me! ❤️
That's the fun of it, isn't it? The surprise... Declan has a few kicks in store for you...
Very kind as always thank you. It’s easier to go backassward with my little balloon animals.
Maybe I didn't choose the right story length to do that trick, 9K is a haul, lol.
No lie.
I write faster than you then lol!
That’s four months for me lol
Yet more proof that every writer has their own way of doing things, and typically writers have more than one way of writing a story. I recently wrote a 5000-word short story in which I started with the last line and then worked toward it from the beginning. That was a new experience for me.
Yes, I have occasionally, in a book, written the last chapter when I was halfway through the manuscript. It just felt right and I didn't want the 'fire' to go out if I waited too long.