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McAnally's (The Community Pub) => Author Craft => Topic started by: gravesbane on November 13, 2011, 06:35:48 PM

Title: To write linearly or to jump around
Post by: gravesbane on November 13, 2011, 06:35:48 PM

I have been writing my novel linearly but, I have hit a block. I know where I am going and could take up the story at a later point. Is jumping around a coruptiom of the process or is whatever floats your boat ok? Any thoughts? :)

Title: Re: To write linearly or to jump around
Post by: Snowleopard on November 13, 2011, 06:41:48 PM

I think it's whatever floats your boat GB.  There is no one right way.
If you've hit a sticking point - jumping beyond to write something you're sure of is likely to help you
break the block at the logjam.

Title: Re: To write linearly or to jump around
Post by: Aminar on November 14, 2011, 03:33:04 AM

Just remember that if you do change something, you may have to rewrite the scenes.  If your far better organized than me, then sure go for it.  I would never manage.

Title: Re: To write linearly or to jump around
Post by: Sir Huron Stone on November 14, 2011, 05:05:04 AM

If i get stuck and I have a scene in my head, I usually jump ahead and write it, then go back and unjam.

Title: Re: To write linearly or to jump around
Post by: gravesbane on November 14, 2011, 01:16:24 PM

Thanks for the replies. I think I will jump to the next scene. If nothing else, it will get me unstuck and clear the cobwebs.

Title: Re: To write linearly or to jump around
Post by: Paynesgrey on December 08, 2011, 04:56:41 PM

Sometimes a Muse puts a gun to your head and won't let you do anything but write a later scene.  This can be frustrating, but look at is something that can help you generate the in-between scenes later, once you know what event or scene you're building a bridge to.

Captain Kirk is kissing a green girl.

***Doobey doobey dooooo.... I need a scene... I'll skip ahead...***

Captain Kirk is climbing the mountain.
Why is he climbing the mountain?

Oh.  Of course.  To get away from the 12 angry brothers and the Ferrengi lawyer trying to serve the paternity papers.  (Cut/Paste to proper place in narrative.)

Title: Re: To write linearly or to jump around
Post by: LizW65 on December 08, 2011, 09:20:05 PM

I usually write linearly, but if I have a good idea for a scene that should go elsewhere and need to get it down before I lose it, I'll write it down in a new file and cut and paste later on.

Title: Re: To write linearly or to jump around
Post by: Paynesgrey on December 08, 2011, 09:25:35 PM

Yeah, you definately don't want to risk losing those strokes of inspiration.  Particularly those gems that hit you when you're about to drift off to sleep.  (Handy to keep a notepad in the nightstand.)