Sunday 31 July 2016

Trying a New Method...

At the moment I'm working on a shorter project set in the late 1920's.

1920's Red Cloche Hat
from Shaping The Body Exhibition
Castle Museum, York.
With the school/university holidays there's not as much quiet around me as I need to concentrate on the editing of draft 1 of my Nottinghamshire short novel, so I'm researching and jotting down ideas on this other project.

I've always written sequentially, so start at chapter one and work through to the end, but this shorter project isn't working that way.

I have scenes and dialogue in my mind but not the joining up or narrative pieces.

So I decided to try something different; write the dialogue in the scenes I do have in mind and fit it together later on when I'm clearer on the descriptions and narrative.

Admittedly I was sceptical  that it would work, but surprisingly it has worked well and I'm making progress quicker than I anticipated.

The core prompt has been in my ideas book for years, and despite considering a few possibilities- one set in the early 19th century- it didn't go anywhere, until the couple from the past revealed a brief conversation that made sense of the 1920's plot.

One day I'll write that other story that will tie up the early 19th century to the 1920's...

Meanwhile the disadvantages are that I've got to learn about everyday facts of 1920's life.

For example can my heroine turn on a light? How widespread was electricity in country houses?

It's interesting in another way, because my mother was born in the early 1920's so some of the questions & answers will relate to her childhood too.

At least I'm writing... :-)





8 comments:

Ana Salote said...

I always work like that, Carol. You might have doubts early on but it does eventually take shape. Enjoy.

Teresa Ashby said...

It's great that you've found a way that works so well for you, Carol.
I hope you find answers to your questions about the 1920s :-) xx

Carolb said...

I'm finding it very helpful, Ana. It's helping the plot ideas emerge too. :-)

Carolb said...

At least with a 20th century setting it's easier to find answers and explanations, Teresa.

Susan A Eames said...

It just goes to show how important it is for writers to be able to adapt to different writing projects. What you've described is very similar to how I'm writing my book. I didn't deliberately choose this method - it's the only way I've been able to approach the writing. :)

Helen Laycock said...

Sometimes something different just works. It's quite liberating to realise that other methods work for you. Good luck with the research, Carol!

Helen Laycock said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Carolb said...

Yes, it's strange to find a different method works on one project but not another, Helen.

I've decided to research the information I need as I go. I wouldn't usually do it this way, but as it's a time period I'm not totally familiar with, it's working better as I go along.

(I've deleted the duplicated post)