Starting from Scratch (40 Scenes in 40 Days)

I'm making some changes to my plot. I'm adding an unexpected twist and a new conflict, but I still have one more important piece to my plot puzzle to figure out. I've been thinking on it for a few days now. I realized that this story should be told in first person, so I'm ripping my beginning and starting from scratch. I can either push my deadline into May or play catch up on the weekend. Considering that I'm in testing season (writing this week and reading coming up at the end of April), I'm inclined to push my self-imposed deadline out, rather than push myself while I'm tired from my school day.

Writing is hard work. Sometimes it feels as if you are giving blood, sweat, and tears to your manuscript. At times like this, I think about how kids feel. One page (which is equivalent to approximately 150-200 words) seems like a mountain to a nine year old -a mountain built by hand from the bottom up. It's not just the writing that makes it hard, but the thinking. You have to exercise the creative side of your brain, yet your story still needs logic, so both sides must work together. My students have to write to a prompt on demand Tuesday and Wednesday. Every time I go into state testing, I feel as if I'm taking 45 tests (2 classes) with no control over any of it. No wonder I'm exhausted from watching kids test all day! At least I can think on testing days (since I can't do anything else), so I will think about Melody and her journey, and perhaps I will figure out something new about my character and plot.

Scene 2, Day 2 (40 Scenes in 40 Days Writing Challenge)

Scene 2 came in at 1272 words. I went back and dropped the whip (kind of harsh, I know). In scene 2, I needed to get my main character Melody, in a new place, so the Queen of Tor arrived at the orphanage to select one of the older girls (Melody is the eldsest) as her ward. Melody's friend (who was just named Karilynn today) spilled the beans. She let the queen know that Melody has a token (gift, talent), or so she thinks. The queen selects Melody and tells her to pack her things. I wrote this scene before school today which frees me this evening to work on a nonfiction project (and blog, of course), but it also gives me a little daydream time. I need time to process the next scene -make it come alive in my mind. I'm heading to the castle in scene 3.

Scene 1, Day 1 (40 Scenes in 40 Days Writing Challenge)

Scene 1, Day 1

I set the coffee pot last night to begin brewing around 4:45 a.m. Coffee first. I confess I already had about 300 words drafted out for scene one, so I was ready to go. I sat down and started typing. An hour later, I had over 1200 words, and I was only halfway through the first scene. I originally thought my scenes would be somewhat short -around 1000 to 1500 words, but this scene took a turn on its own and headed in a different direction that I originally expected.

Power to pansters! Sometimes you just have to go on the journey with your character. Melody took me deep into the underground tunnels of the Kingdom of Tor. It was a late night adventure in a place where it's unlawful for citizens to be out in the streets at night, and she is an orphan. Melody risked everything to go in search of a runaway boy. I realized this wasn't the first time Melody took a trip to the deep downs. After all, she knows Rory, the leader of the street rats. This was the first surprise! I didn't know about Rory until he appeared on my stage. He's cocky and flirtatious, and now I'm going to have to weave him into the story.

Melody's adventure brings her token (gift, talent) to the surface. Music. The only problem -music is dead in the Kingdom of Tor. She is unaware of its existence, and even more unaware of its powers. I bet you want to know what happened? Well, yes, she finds Trey, is almost snatched by the night rebels, and discovers her gift, but I can't leave her in an a good place (as mild as that is). Melody, the boy, and her friend (who goes with her) are busted -by the mistress of the orphanage. Right now, the mistress has a whip in her hands and is waiting for an explanation.

Scene one consists of 2429 words. Now I just need to figure out how to get Melody out of one spot of trouble and into another. 

40 Scenes in 40 Days Writing Challenge

I have files and files of ideas, half written stories, and chapter threes. I'm a writer, but my biggest challenge is getting to the end of a book. I've been studying planning plots and crafting scenes, making notes, and now, I've finally fleshed out a plot from beginning to end, scene by scene. I'm ready to write.

How did this panster turn into a plotster? There is a reason we give kids graphic organizers. In order to get from point A to point B, you need to know where point B is located on the map. You need a clear route. I have absolutely no sense of direction. I need directions that say, "Turn left Revision Street. Go three chapters, U-turn around, and take the first right on Editor's Road." I'm lost without directions, so I'm not sure what made me think I was a panster.

You see -a lot of writers "just write". In fact, I recently posted questions about writing scenes on a writer's forum, and got a plenty of "just write" feedback. Some people can find a needle in a haystack. I can't even find the haystack.

So I plotted.

I'm fired up about my plot, so I've decided to challenge myself to write 40 scenes in 40 days. My goal is to finish my draft by April 27, 2012. I will update the blog every few days, and tweet each day using hashtag #40scenes to update you on my progress. Please follow me as I push myself forward on this journey. I'll see you at the end of the tunnel.

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy (with light romantic elements)
Title: Maestro
Blurb (subject to change): Melody joins Reed on a quest to find the maestro's murderer and restore the music to the Kingdom to Tor. Along the way, she discovers that she holds the key to the music realm, and the power to change everything.