In a previous blog post (‘Paper Scraps & Hen Scratch’), I mentioned little pieces of paper on which I had jotted notes for work-in-progress stories or ideas for future ones. “Then, when you’re ready, stitch them seamlessly together, embroider upon them, and weave those words into the tapestry of your story.” Right. Easier said than done.
Recently I was asked whether I’m disciplined in plotting a story, work with outlines, or just start typing. My flippant answer was about mapping out In a Perfect World only to have the map stolen by its characters. The truth is I went to pieces while writing that story.
Before I go any further, I need to tell you I’ve always enjoyed solving puzzles ... jigsaws, crosswords, mazes, logic, etc. You may ask what that particular pastime has to do with writing. According to Wikipedia: “A puzzle is a problem or enigma that tests the ingenuity of the solver. In a basic puzzle, one is intended to put together pieces in a logical way in order to come up with the desired solution.”
Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge was very similar to a jigsaw puzzle. Numerous hen-scratched paper scraps had to be assembled properly to reveal the complete picture. Some pieces snapped into place quickly and easily. It was futile to force ones that didn’t fit; those were put aside for potential use in another story. Piece by piece, paragraph by paragraph, page by page, the picture began to take shape and make sense. Similar to the satisfaction of snapping into place the final piece of a jigsaw puzzle, typing the words ‘The End‘ came with a feeling of accomplishment.
I now realize other kinds of puzzles might be involved:
MAZES - It amazes people how many puns there are in Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge.
CROSSWORDS - Yes, I had a few cross words when the characters hijacked my story; but there is another similarity. In a crossword puzzle, you fill white squares with words. Writing a story requires filling blank pages with words.
ANAGRAM - There’s an Anna Darcy in my book; and it’s possible one of the grandmothers, later in the story, might be called 'Gram'.
CIPHER - You may sigh for several reasons while reading Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge.
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE - It’s easy to spot the differences between Pride and Prejudice and Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge.
RIDDLE - My story is riddled with wordplay.
Quote from Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge:
“... Mama and Papa have never permitted us to have animals in our residence. Hmm, I wonder whether they are concerned about household pets taking over the world. Why the puzzled look, Mr. Darcy? Have you never heard of reigning cats and dogs?”
Recently I was asked whether I’m disciplined in plotting a story, work with outlines, or just start typing. My flippant answer was about mapping out In a Perfect World only to have the map stolen by its characters. The truth is I went to pieces while writing that story.
Before I go any further, I need to tell you I’ve always enjoyed solving puzzles ... jigsaws, crosswords, mazes, logic, etc. You may ask what that particular pastime has to do with writing. According to Wikipedia: “A puzzle is a problem or enigma that tests the ingenuity of the solver. In a basic puzzle, one is intended to put together pieces in a logical way in order to come up with the desired solution.”
Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge was very similar to a jigsaw puzzle. Numerous hen-scratched paper scraps had to be assembled properly to reveal the complete picture. Some pieces snapped into place quickly and easily. It was futile to force ones that didn’t fit; those were put aside for potential use in another story. Piece by piece, paragraph by paragraph, page by page, the picture began to take shape and make sense. Similar to the satisfaction of snapping into place the final piece of a jigsaw puzzle, typing the words ‘The End‘ came with a feeling of accomplishment.
I now realize other kinds of puzzles might be involved:
MAZES - It amazes people how many puns there are in Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge.
CROSSWORDS - Yes, I had a few cross words when the characters hijacked my story; but there is another similarity. In a crossword puzzle, you fill white squares with words. Writing a story requires filling blank pages with words.
ANAGRAM - There’s an Anna Darcy in my book; and it’s possible one of the grandmothers, later in the story, might be called 'Gram'.
CIPHER - You may sigh for several reasons while reading Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge.
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE - It’s easy to spot the differences between Pride and Prejudice and Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge.
RIDDLE - My story is riddled with wordplay.
Quote from Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge:
“... Mama and Papa have never permitted us to have animals in our residence. Hmm, I wonder whether they are concerned about household pets taking over the world. Why the puzzled look, Mr. Darcy? Have you never heard of reigning cats and dogs?”
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