Knowing When to Let Go

There are writers I know who are able to be organised. There is a beginning, a middle, and an ending to their first draft. I am not like that. When I’m writing my outline, I begin with what I see in my head and then connect those scenes. I tend to prioritise sprawling landscapes and explosive fight scenes, shocking revelations and tender first-kisses. These scenes do not always fit together. Sometimes a scene will not make sense to the character I’ve created or doesn’t suit the timeline of events. That’s where I have to let go of my plan for the story and allow my characters to live their lives. 

This can be difficult, especially if you’ve invested emotional energy and lots of time into writing that scene. Even harder, when someone critiques your work and tells you that it doesn’t make sense… and they’re right! Ah, writers are prideful creatures. I’m sure I will write more on accepting criticisms with humility at some other point.

What’s most important, however, is your story. Sometimes critiques are correct and an objective reader will be able to save you from ruining your main character. Let us say Johnny is a mountain troll who is a vegetarian because of his pet cow. If he does not go through emotional turmoil while having to eat meat to counter a spell placed upon him by an evil witch, then it makes no sense. 

Once you do release yourself from your plan, it can be liberating. That’s where, I would say, your characters become more three dimensional. It is at this point where you begin to consider the people you are writing about as people with thoughts, feelings, and distinct personalities. Inciting events happen to your character and then they push the story along as they react to the world around them. 

Next week, I will release a blurb as well as a sneak peek into my upcoming novel: Shades of Night. I’m very excited to share this with you all. Thank you so much for reading and subscribing!

-Maya