I love writing. I really, really do enjoy it. I get a kick out of putting each word down on paper or a computer screen. To me, there’s nothing more satisfying than writing – and even more so if it’s something enjoyable.
However. . .
Writing my novel is one helluva fun experience. I really get to create my own worlds, people, societies, technology, politics, history, religion, and the like. I can do whatever I want, and it’s great.
When it comes to writing a novel though, you have to create ideas (surprise!). Sometimes though, a really good idea – and I mean REALLY good idea – springs up and becomes something which can add a lot of depth, excitement, and mystery in the novel.
In my last post I mentioned about being well-over the halfway point in my novel. While I’m still plugging away at it, last night I came up with an idea which really got me excited. It just came to me! I thought to myself, “Wow! That would be an awesome thing to have in my story!”
The catch is though, I’m well-over the point where I can casually add things in (such as a man checking the clock on the wall which is just assumed to be there). Adding this “idea” in would require some back story as it would feel out of place suddenly being placed where it would be.
Today, I began to brainstorm how I could incorporate the idea into my novel. Yes, it was that good of an idea.
Fortunately, I do have some moments in my story where I can go back and plug in the necessary plot points to make the “idea” come into fruition later and make it have a natural flow.
Now I know I’m not the only writer to do this. It’s certainly a pain in the butt to go back and edit pages of story which only delays the actual progress of finishing the story. But some things are worth the extra work, and I know this “idea” will pay off in the end.
To conclude: adding key events in your story before it’s even finished a lot of work.
But damn, it’s fun.
Until next time, my friends!
I recently had this same problem with the novel I’m working on. (Also Science fiction) I went back and it took days to foreshadow and incorporate the idea into the story the way I wanted, but after finishing my first draft I have to say that it was definitely worth the trouble. I hope that when you’re done you have the same result.
Hey Daniel,
Thanks for the comment. I’m glad to hear you’ve had such success with it. I certainly hope to have the same!
It wasn’t easy, that’s for sure. You never know with something like that. If the idea is too big sometimes the best thing to do is is start a new draft or develop a new secondary story around it. Is this your first novel?
It is my first novel, but it’s technically my third time seriously attempting one. I’ve tried a few different stories in the past which left me unsatisfied (as I was learning).
This will be the first novel I’ll actually complete and push to publish.
Yeah I’m a very similar story. Although I have been published as a comic book artist/writer by a local publisher, I’ve never felt confident enough with my literary skills to write a novel until recently.
That is damn hard work. This is why I outline first. I never want to do that kind of rewriting again, while trying to write the first draft.
Hi Tom,
Thanks for stopping by. I definitely have pages upon pages of outlines and development I created before writing the novel. Unfortunately though, some ideas just come later in the process!
However, I find having those early outlines really help when I need to go back and plug something else in. I’ll know how my changes will effect the rest of the story thanks to my earlier work.
I took the diversions and made their own stories from them. That gives two wins from one idea.
I was definitely considering that, but I do have a few plans for future stories which will not be as “science-fictiony” as the one I’m currently writing. But who knows what future story-telling will bring?!