Maybe I’m overthinking (I probably am) this?
Option One: Go with another “Institutionalized” structured story (See Code Name Candle), or
Option Two: Branch out into a “Rites of Passage” story?
Some background first. I’ve been doing my author homework and reading a craft book entitled “Save the Cat goes to the Movies” as a way to incorporate my love of entertaining Hollywood-style stories into my writing life and make my books BETTER. You all want BETTER, don’t you?
This all rolls back to my inability to “plot.” No matter how hard I try, my characters begin to take over and the story runs off the planned rails. In almost EVERY instance, it’s generated a more emotionally charged work. I’m trying to plot things out more often now because I don’t want to go ten-plus years of not finishing anything. (AKA my life between 2004 and 2014!) Having a destination in mind is always better. It’s the logistics I’m fuzzy with.
Now a side trip
Bear with me here, it is connected.
In 2017 I took a trip to Arizona by MYSELF. There was no one else to dictate where I had to go, what I had to see, or arguments about food, travel, sleeping accommodations… nada. In other words, LOVELY.
But… being the overthinker I am, and being a person on a very limited budget, I had to figure out exactly how much this trip was going to cost me, how I’d get around, where I’d sleep, what I’d eat, etc. SPREADSHEETS folks. I landed on the idea to rent an RV. That solved for how I’d get around (no car rental, or long drive just to get to the destination… shut up Arizona residents, I quickly found out how naive that thinking was) and where I was going to sleep. COOL. Then, I figured out I can pack all my favorite little spice combos in tiny ziploc baggies, stow them in my extra large duffle that also held my cooking must-haves (a pot, a small frying pan, knife, etc.) and a sleeping bag. The carry-on had clothes, first day must-haves, and travel-sized everything.
Landed in AZ, rented the RV, and hit the road. Night one destination: Prescott! Second day, diagnosed with altitude sickness. FML. Luckily, I had ZERO places to be until day 4 so meandered through the Coconino Forest (really? See photos) and got lost and almost died but had excellent memories of being serenaded by hungry coyotes. 😀
In other words, did exactly what my characters do in every book. Go off course. (See? Told you it was connected.)
And I loved it. The best vacation I’ve ever been on.
AKA why I need to let the characters in my head hijack the stories. BUT… not completely.
Know the overall terrain
If I know the basic terrain, and a destination, I can get lost in the story and still find my way back out. In fact, I tried just that (not foolishly, mind you… I’d studied ALL the maps before setting out) in the Prescott Forest. And while being a little lost, was never truly lost. YAY.
I think that’s the trick, allowing for the unexpected journey. But reviewing every map in obsession before taking it. Save the Cat is a good resource if you use it in that fashion. I’m convinced of its value there. It is vague enough you’re not pinned down to writing a story by rote, but specific enough to know when to liposuction that back story and get on with the beats.
How it relates
How does this relate to “Code Name: Dime” (don’t ask me why that is sticking… dimes have nothing to do with the story)?
Well, for this second chance – “the one that got away” + “Parent trap” story, I need to plot the course.
Should it be: “Secret marriage/family is hidden because the INSTITUTION won’t accept it” OR “Love Epiphany/second chance/rite of passage”?
POLL:
There it is. You get first say in how I attack this monster I’m preliminarily calling DIME – but that’s not going to be the title on the cover.
