Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
And we’re revving up IWSG Day to make it more fun and interactive! Every month, we'll announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
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August 7 question - Has your writing ever taken you by surprise? For example, a positive and belated response to a submission you'd forgotten about or an ending you never saw coming?
As a pantser, I have to say my writing often surprises me.
It doesn't take much for a whole scene to take a swift turn and go in a whole new direction. Of course, with my romance stories, the happy ending won't change, but the path to get there is totally flexible!
I've also been surprised by a lot of my flash fiction stories. As a rule, I'm a happy and positive person. I write mostly contemporary romance which requires happy endings. But during flash fiction, I've been pulled in a lot of directions - not all of which are happy or upbeat.
And you know what?
They're so much fun!!!
Here's to more surprises in the future!
How about you? Do you like when your writing or reading takes an unexpected turn? Do you like those stories that are different than your norm?
44 comments:
Maybe one of your longer stories needs to go in a darker direction. Who knows what might happen?
Your story for Tick Tock was one of those and it was one of the best stories in the anthology.
Sometimes, I like when my writing takes an unexpected turn. But other times, it comes too late in the process (or at least I think it's too late) and it's a struggle to adapt to it.
I'm enjoying reading more outside of the norm. I didn't used to care too much for romances, but am really enjoying them now. Maybe it's the HEAs. We could all use more of those in our lives :)
Cheers - Ellen
Same on being a pantser and being surprised by my writing. My characters are often in charge and take me on interesting rides.
My flash fiction also tends to take a different direction than my longer works.
I tend to be a pantser too! Outlining has its place. It's more of a guide. Things always go there on way!
I tend to be a pantser too, that way I write fast and get surprised more, than when I do intense plotting.
I started in flash fiction. 500 words that changed my life forever. :-)
Anna from elements of emaginette
Does it seem like that 'darker' writing reveals too much of your own soul? Is that what worries you about using it? Asking because I think that is how I feel about some things I've written that I didn't think were part of me when they come out.
To me pantsers are the explorers. They like to find out what's possible outside the carefully organized world of logic. Keep being surprised.
I love being surprised in my reading. Predictable lacks excitement.
This makes me want to try flash fiction. :)
I think whether you are a pantser or plotter you need to be open to changes. Though I can see as a pantser that there would be more surprises.
When I write my short stories, they tend to send me down some dark paths. Sometimes these can be quite unexpected or a character reacts differently to what *I* wanted them to. It certainly makes writing more interesting! ;)
I'm often surprised when I give myself a chance to do a little pantsing, always in a good way!
I find that one of out three of my novels are darker than my usual.
I've got a few ideas, just sure I'm brave enough to live in that world for any length of time! :)
Thank you! I loved writing that story!! will always be one of my favourites!
That's a HUGE benefit to reading romance. The world is often sad and scary and I love knowing those characters are going to be happy!
It's so much fun!!
Interesting! I like playing with different tones in the flash pieces!
I'm working on being a better outliner - I spend FAR too much time revising! :)
It's definitely more fun to write without an outline!
That's fabulous! Love how a story can change so much!
Interesting! I think for me, it's more about my inability to live in the darker places for any length of time. I'd become a puddle of anxiety is I was immersed in the dark side for too long!
Our minds are fascinating places - those dark areas do need to come to light somehow!
What an awesome way of looking at it!! I'm going to take that to heart!
So true! I love when an author can take an unexpected twist!
I just started recently and it's so much fun!
So true - change is probably inevitable for all of us!
It certainly does! Love those twists and surprises!
It's a blast to just write and see what happens!
That's interesting! I do like to switch up the tone from time to time - those dark ones can be such fun!
Hi Jemi,
Writing is fun and certainly can be full surprises! I've certainly been surprised with my writing at times, that's for sure.
I think being open for change when you're writing is a good thing. Keep up the great work!
It's great when when our characters or stories surprise us! I love moments like that.
Writing flash fiction is such a joy. You can really go where the story takes you. Outlining novels has proved a waste of time to me - especially a thorough outline.I think I'm going to try that 2 sentences per chapter outline thingo. At least I may not spend 3 years writing a novel then. Well, I might...
I love those surprises! Well, most of them, anyway! :)
Thanks Mason! Surprises are often the best part of life!
Me too! It's one of the best parts of this journey!
I might too! It doesn't take me long to do the first draft, but the EDITING!!!! Oy...
I know exactly what you mean by the flash pieces not always being happy or upbeat. I struggle with writing the darker stuff but have pushed myself to experiment.
I can do darker in shorts, but facing that longterm dark is not in my wheelhouse ...yet :)
I like to read fun stories so no darker themes for me.
Dark certainly isn't for everyone! I can only do them in sort doses for now :)
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