Sometimes Even the writer is surprised...

Yes, just as we think we have a handle on a project, we think we know where its going and what it looks like, the story has other ideas.  There we are, sitting and doing something not writing related (or not, most of what I do is writing related somehow), and the idea jumps to the front of our minds, hijacking our thoughts completely.  It grabs our brain and shakes it, not letting go until we agree to listen.

Some stories are well behaved, chugging along merrily in the direction we think they should go, and being easy to write (more or less).  My Young Adult story is like this.  I’m going back and adding scenes, filling out areas that need work or attention, and generally tidying up.

Then there are stories like my erotica.  I’ve already reorganized it once, flipping parts around completely.  Yesterday I realized that the story was only half done and that the sequel really belonged as the second half of a single book.  Fine, I can easily do that.  It felt like the right decision.  

Well, there I was this morning having a tea break and getting ready to start on the erotica book, as I write my YA book first, when I had that deep knowing that something needed to change.  You see, the first half of the story is told from his perspective.  It should be, really, so that was fine.  I was about to start writing when I just knew I had to tell the second half from her perspective.  That gave the story somewhere different to go.  

This story is writing itself through me, taking its time to unfold in its own way.  Just when I think I’ve got it, the story shows me where it wants to go next.  That’s okay, though.  The first part of the book was the romance and setting the stage, and the second half will be the most fun to write.  I love writing erotica scenes, and a book with lots of them is too tempting to pass up.  Part one was the setup, and part two is the fun.

This works because I’m adaptable and listening to the story.  If I had a rigid idea where the story was to go, then I’d have given up.  I almost did give up on this story once, but then I let it start telling itself, and now I’m happy with how it’s shaping up.  I look forward to being able to share the story with everyone at some point, if the story ever thinks it’s done!

Get out there, find a writing prompt, and just see where it goes.  Happy writing!