Creating A Story, Cont'd: Are We There Yet?

By Diane Chamberlain | November 14, 2008 |
Those of you’ve who’ve been following the synopsis saga are surely asking yourselves what’s taking so long. It’s a slow process, for sure, but I’m closing in on the finish line. I’ll wrap it up this weekend, without a doubt. The past couple of days, I’ve been making a list (in prose form) of certain scenes and certain characters’ emotional reactions which I felt were missing in the current synopsis. Today, I’m going through that list and putting the items in the order of the story, so that I can plug them in where they belong. That’s what I’ll be doing this afternoon–plugging away. Tomorrow, I’ll rewrite the entire synopsis so that it sounds pretty, and Sunday will be my day of rest.

One of the things I’ve been going back and forth on in this story is whether the one adolescent character is a devil or angel. I keep remembering a reader who told me she loved The Bay at Midnight, but was tired of reading about rebellious teens like the daughter in the book, because “all teens aren’t rebellious.” I agree with her, and the last thing I want to be is trite, but I think there’s a balance between devil and angel. Unless I change my mind in the next few hours, I think this teenaged girl is going to be a good kid going through a rough time that brings out the normal, hormonally-induced rebel in her. That will make her more sympathetic and more complex. And of course, harder to write. It’s always easier to write in black and white. For the purpose of a synopsis, I only need vague statements about her behavior and attitude because I’m doing more telling than showing. When I write the book, showing will be far more important and that’s when the challenge will really begin.

So I’m going to get back at it, now. I hope you all have a great weekend, and I’ll see you refreshed–and finished–on Monday.

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7 Comments

  1. Gina on November 14, 2008 at 9:51 pm

    I’m getting excited about this new book Diane and I don’t even know what it’s about yet. All I need to know is that it’s a Diane book and I’m there.

    Reply
  2. Margo on November 14, 2008 at 10:46 pm

    I’m with Gina…I don’t know anything about this synopsis and I love it already!…knowing that Diane created this in the Outer Banks makes it even more exciting to me.
    Diane, I’m always anxious to read your blog and see where you’re at in the WIP but I never question the amount of time that goes into creating it. Your work is well worth waiting for! (-:

    Reply
  3. Denise on November 16, 2008 at 9:50 am

    I’m excited about the new book, too. I can tell that Diane seems pretty happy about this one!

    Reply
  4. Michelle L. Scharnhorst on November 16, 2008 at 11:57 am

    Diane, The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes was the best book I have ever read. I am 37 years old and have been an avid reader my entire life. I have read thousands of books, yet I could not even compare this to any I have read. I have told anyone and everyone to pick up this book. The day I finished it, I went straight to the library and checked out Her Mother’s Shadow. I will read every book you have written. Thanks for using your gift of writing and story telling so that we can continue to enjoy your work! You are amazing!
    Sincerely, Michelle L. Scharnhorst

    Reply
  5. Gina on November 16, 2008 at 4:40 pm

    That’s exactly how I felt Michelle when I read my first Diane book (Bay at Midnight). I had to find any and all books I could get my hands on and also to spread the word.

    Reply
  6. Julie on November 17, 2008 at 12:25 am

    Hey, I’m stuck in Raleigh Durham tonight on my way back to Texas from the UK. Thought I’d shout a hello your way. Open your window … I’m yelling from the Wyndham. Did you hear me? LOL
    Our flight from London took 14 hours and should have taken 10, so we missed our connection in a big way.
    Oh, well, it was an amazing place and by tomorrow night, I figure this will all feel worth it in retrospect. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Diane Chamberlain on November 17, 2008 at 1:00 am

    Michelle, welcome to the blog, and I’m so glad you’re enjoying my books!
    Julie, I thought I heard someone shouting my name! You’re about fifteen minutes away from me. Sorry about the delay. No fun at all, but I know you had a great time.

    Reply

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