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Whatever Works...

  • May. 3rd, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Plot Bunny
I had gotten through most of the last scene in the CatsCurious fairy tale rewrite. Then I got interrupted, and lost the thread of the story. So I came back and sat there for about a half-hour, completely stuck and desperate to just write these last few paragraphs. I tried one thing, then another, and nothing worked. I was so freaking close, and all I wanted was to be done!

Then the boy has a diaper emergency. I get up, change a diaper, and voila -- I knew how to end the story.

Ten minutes later, the tale was done at 8800 words. It needs a major rewrite, but I think this is going to work. And I love this ending.

Sometimes you just need to get away from the story for a few minutes. Though next time, hopefully I'll find a less smelly reason to walk away.

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[info]difrancis wrote:
May. 4th, 2008 03:10 am (UTC)
Or maybe what you need is a dose of sh*t.

Could be.

Di
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[info]jimhines wrote:
May. 4th, 2008 01:16 pm (UTC)
Depends on the story :-)
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[info]will_couvillier wrote:
May. 4th, 2008 03:23 am (UTC)
Hummm...can't wait to see the ending that a diaper emergency brings out...
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[info]jimhines wrote:
May. 4th, 2008 01:17 pm (UTC)
Heh ... the one you want to read is "Goblin Lullaby," which was written about baby Jig when my son was only 6 months old or so. Very inspirational.
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[info]halspacejock wrote:
May. 4th, 2008 07:19 am (UTC)
My wife and I went for a walk together, and I ended up with half the plot of my next book (or the one after that.)

Dragging yourself away from email, instant internet and other distractions is a great way to let the brain simmer.
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[info]jimhines wrote:
May. 4th, 2008 01:19 pm (UTC)
Hm ... I've still got to figure out the last part of the mermaid book. Mind if I borrow your wife for a quick walk?
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[info]halspacejock wrote:
May. 4th, 2008 01:27 pm (UTC)
Not to discount the plot-unstalling value of my wife, but it was the location too. My folks have a small (5 acre) block in a valley 50 miles from here. A few sheep & ducks, a couple of dams and a nice walk around the perimeter.

Wonder if they'd like to rent it out to blocked writers at $x per unblocking?

(I just posted a pic so you can see the amazing value. Unfortunately it involves a 20+ hour flight to Australia.)

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[info]cymreiges wrote:
May. 4th, 2008 01:41 pm (UTC)
Australia. I'm there. What's 20 hours in the air, anyway? 1200 minutes to plot noodle while you try to keep your internal organs from shutting down permanently.

Congrats on finding your ending, Jim. When I get stuck I whittle away on the mess in my upstairs office. It helps remind me there are harder things than figuring out a plot hole. -- Jana
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[info]mela_lyn wrote:
May. 4th, 2008 03:49 pm (UTC)
I can't wait to read this!!! Hurry up and finish so I can buy it! :)
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[info]jimhines wrote:
May. 6th, 2008 09:08 pm (UTC)
I'm halfway through the rewrite, and going as fast as I can :-)

I'm told it will be out by the end of the year. November, maybe? I don't remember the exact date off the top of my head...
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[info]mela_lyn wrote:
May. 7th, 2008 12:34 pm (UTC)
I think that was it... you can send me a copy for my birthday. ;)
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[info]jimhines wrote:
May. 7th, 2008 12:35 pm (UTC)
Well, my contract does give me a few extra copies. Which means I'll probably do a contest :-)
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[info]mela_lyn wrote:
May. 7th, 2008 12:44 pm (UTC)
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
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[info]dan_phi wrote:
May. 4th, 2008 11:08 pm (UTC)
I guess you just needed proof how unstuck things can get to make the creative juices flow again.
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[info]talithakalago wrote:
May. 5th, 2008 03:34 am (UTC)
I always, always, always take a walk around the yard when I get stuck. Even if it's raining. (Or is that, 'especially when it's raining'?)
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[info]ahsitan wrote:
May. 5th, 2008 06:56 am (UTC)
Ha! Nothing like a little distraction. But a poopy diaper?

My kids chatter nonstop, sucking all the thoughts from my brain most of the time. I've found it difficult to write while they are conscious.

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[info]daydreammuse wrote:
May. 7th, 2008 05:43 am (UTC)
My ideas always come from smelly reasons aka the bathroom, although it's not smelly inside, but you catch my drift. Good job!
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