Wednesday, February 6, 2013

#GuestPost A. D. Trosper on writing a Fantasy Series

Today, I'm happy to welcome A.D. Trosper, bestselling author of the fantasy: Embers at Galdrilene Book 1 of the Dragon's Call Series. She'll tell us how she approaches writing a series.

When Rachelle first asked for a guest post, I panicked. I’ve never written a guest post and I didn’t have a clue what to write about. Thankfully she made a few suggestions. Still nervous though, I asked a couple of friends of mine and when they immediately suggested one of the subjects Rachelle had, I knew that was the one I would write about, even if it isn’t exactly what they suggested.
Writing a series with an easily distracted mind.
Keep in mind, I am not telling anyone how to write a series because let’s face it, no two authors write in quite the same way. Many people plot every aspect. They know exactly what is going to happen and when. There is nothing wrong with this and in fact probably makes the process faster.
Oh if only my brain worked that way. But it doesn’t. No my mind is a lover of barely controlled chaos. Because of this, I am easily distracted. It goes something like this: I really need to sit down and write somethi–oh look! Something shiny! I get to the store and forget what I was there for; unless I bring a list and actually remember to take it into the store with me. I forget what I did with my keys, where I put my purse, where I left my shoes, and a myriad of other things that drive my poor husband crazy. Who by the way, usually knows where I’ve left everything.
So how does one with a mind like mine write a multi-book epic fantasy? Not like most people I expect.
I am mostly a pantzer, but not completely. I don’t run blindly into a story with no idea of where it is going. I know the beginning and the end. I know several key scenes that need to happen both for the series as a whole and each book. Are they things I have written down? No. If I start writing down things that need to happen, my writing brain stops working. I don’t know why and it really makes no sense, but there you have it.
I do have extensive notes, just not story notes. I have character lists so I can remember who all of them are (I have a large cast both in POV characters and in minor leads), how I spelled their name, where they are from and what they look like. I have an item list as well so I remember how I spelled certain things and a word list (thanks to my wonderful editor at Blue Harvest Creative) so I can remember what is supposed to be capped and what isn’t.  When you have a lot of made up things, that last is extremely important.
But when it comes to story notes, those all stay in my head. How they don’t get lost in the mess in there, I will never know.
Beyond the beginnings, endings and a sprinkle of in-betweens though is where the pantzer part comes in. I have no idea how my characters plan to get from point A to point B and beyond. Many times they throw things in that I was unaware of and I have to add it to my story notes in my head so I don’t forget. Yes, I am perfectly capable of forgetting why I went into the bathroom, but I never forget a story element.
Is this the proper way to write a series? Probably not, in fact you probably think I’m crazy at this point. But one thing I’ve learned, there is no right or wrong when it comes to writing. I think in any book, whether it is a series or a stand-alone, knowing where it’s going is the most important. I would be lost if I didn’t know how it was going to end, or at least a really firm idea of it. Everything you write needs to be working toward an end goal or your book will wander all over the place. Even as I say this though, I know there is some writer out there shaking their head and thinking, “I never know the ending until it happens.” And if that works for them and their writing, then they should go for it.
As for me, I'll continue doing what it is I do in my semi-organized chaotic world of writing–that I wouldn't change for anything–and also hope that I helped inspire at least one person.

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11 comments:

  1. Ha, ha, I'm a lot like you. I've FINALLY made it a habit to hang my keys on a hook. I don't take notes because I have to remember to look at the notes. I do know the key scenes, as you say and how my story is to end. Beyond that, I let my characters work out the details. Great advice!

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  2. LOL, it's good to meet another who writes like me. Yes, remembering to consult the notes if I did write them would be problem. :)

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  3. Oh, and thank you so much for having me. It was really a lot of fun to explore my weirdness for this post. :)

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  4. A.D. Thank you for posting. I love hearing how other people go through the creative process. Feel free to contact me about a guest post :p Man I wish I was a plotter!!! I am getting better, but it's not as fun as winging it, whines my inner child.

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    1. I wish I could be a plotter too. Sometimes I think that would be so much easier. *sigh* If only my brain worked that way.

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  5. great post audra, and so good to know there's other authors as forgetful as i am... but not when it comes to my stories. although i know the beginning, the ending, and my main characters, the best part is the journey my characters take me on to reach the designated ending.

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    1. LOL, want to know how forgetful I am? I totally spaced that I had this guest blog up until my husband asked, "Didn't you have some guest blogs somewhere?" *smacks self in forehead*

      And yes, the journey is definitely a lot of fun. :)

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  6. I must be the odd one here. I do an outline for all of my stories. I add to it when something comes to mind. I always know the ending. I can't write my chapters as I go.
    Great post/interview Audra and Rachelle ;b

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  7. I'm the same exact way. I'm working on a story now where I know the ending and who's going to make it...but I can't even figure out how to introduce the main antagonist. lol
    And I've always been a pantser writer, only recently have I tried character lists.

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    1. I didn't keep character lists with the first book, but now that I'm into the second in the series and so many have joined the fray, I would completely tangle myself up if it weren't for the character lists.

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