Wednesday 3 February 2010

The WIP that wants to be 'in progress'

I’ve got the title, plot, theme, characters, the characters’ personalities – their GMC and loads and loads of notes. Heck, even though it will need fleshing out and the characters will probably give me a few surprises, I know the story.

So why am I finding it so hard to write the first line…first paragraph…first page? Or at least write something I’m happy with. It isn’t that I’m trying to start in the wrong place – more that I can’t find the right place.

Seeing as I know so much of the story already, why can’t I leave the first page for now and just get on with the rest?

I can’t work like that, though. I have to have a title before I can start writing and then get the first page right. OK, the opening might change if, after I’ve finished the first draft, I decide I’ve started the story in the wrong place or at the wrong time.

But to know that, I have to get to the end…and to get to the end I have to have a first page that really, really works for me…

Now you'll understand why I've been absent from the Land of Blog for a while and apologies to all my blog mates for not visiting.

P.S. Thanks to Jarmara and Carol for my Awards. I'll display them when my current problem is resolved!

17 comments:

Jenny Beattie said...

Ooh er Pat, I'd be in trouble if I needed a title before I could get going!

Good luck with getting on with it.

Nell Dixon said...

Hugs, I know that feeling so well!

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

I hope you resolve your problem soon.

I have to know my characters' names before I can start. I find they somehow round them off for me.

Carol said...

It's funny that everyone has so definite processes!! Good luck with finding your title and getting your first page down...you'll get there...fear not!!

C x

Marcie Steele said...

Well you know all about my title angst ;) But while I'm waiting, oh so patiently, I have been writing. My third book is 68k done now, I must have needed that break before Christmas!

You'll be off before you know it Pat. Good luck xx

HelenMWalters said...

Hope it all clicks into place soon.

Flowerpot said...

Best of luck wht that title, Pat. Here's blowing the right words your way!

Pat Posner said...

Thanks, everybody!
It wasn't the title I was stuck on though - that 'came' straight away when the characters started yelling.

It was the opening lines, paras, page. But...
I think, I really think...
I'm almost there.

Unknown said...

The opening lines are terrifying things for me. I have the Great Idea, can see the characters, have the title - but there's no opening line/para that does any of it justice. But you'll get there. And when the opening lines are done, it will flow beautifully!

Unknown said...

Oh I soooo relate!!! Good luck with it and hears hoping it all flows smoothly!

Anonymous said...

I know you'll find your way, good writers like you always do. Hope you're well. Will be in touch soon xx

Lane Mathias said...

Hope you've found your groove Pat. I know that feeling well.

Chris Stovell said...

I definitely need a title before I start so I know how you feel, Pat. For me it helps set the theme.. even (whisper it) if the publishers do change it later!!

DAB said...

Hope you've sorted out the opening page m'dear TFx

Honeysuckle said...

I hope the problem has resolved itself by now - I seem to be lagging behind here!

Karen said...

I always have to have a title too, so I sympathise. I can spend absolutely ages on it! Hope you're in progress now :o)

Pat Posner said...

Hi, all

Well, that particular WIP has finally progressed itself to...
'on hold'.
I still love the idea, the plot and...and everything really. But I think if I play around with it any longer it will lose its freshness, plus I'll start to hate it.

I'll give myself a couple of days to get the characters out of my head and then, hopefully, new inspiration for something completely different will strike.

Please. Pretty please!