Warning: Writer starting new book

ByCara Putman
22 Comments

One of the scariest moments for this author is the moment I actually sit down and start writing my next book. This time I’ve done HOURS of thinking, brainstorming, building characters, but the actual writing…it takes time and is scary. Especially when readers have asked where this heroine’s story is. So last night I was brainstorming title ideas with my husband, Colleen Coble, and Rick Acker, when I only have 3500 words written. Gulp!

The face of a writer getting started…There’s a mix of exhilaration and fear. The thought, can I do this again? Or was I done with book 33? Fortunately, I love writing, but there are still times where I get overwhelmed with the blank page. It’s good to remember this and let others know it’s a normal part of creating. 
Here’s some of the prework I did overlaid on top of the text of chapter 2. The top document with the colored column contains a lot of Susan May Warren’s plotting ideas. I learned so MUCH from her again at ACFW this year. Any time I can take a writing class with her, I do. I always come away with tips and strategies I can apply immediately to my writing.
And here’s the clock that makes sure I’m on time…with my writing.

I wrote this line last night as I brainstormed the romance plotline. Me thinks it will find its way into the book. It just feels like Caroline, and why she’s holding back her heart. Sometimes risking a friendship for more feels scary, overwhelming and almost foolish. That’s where she is. What do you think? Good line? Or should I leave it in the outline?

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An award-winning author of 50 books, Cara is an Assistant Dean and Clinical Associate Professor in business law and ethics to graduate and undergraduate students at Purdue University. She lives with her husband, children, a perfect cat, and a sweet yet rambunctious shelter puppy in Indiana.

22 Comments

  2. Yes, it’s a good line – love it, keep it! I also love the writer’s clock… Happy writing! Xx

  5. Love it!!! I really enjoy all of these looks into the lives of my favorite authors! Thanks for sharing!!

  6. It’s a great line and will work fabulously as a meme when it comes time to promote it! And yay for Caroline’s story!

  10. Definitely a good line. Though it does sound more ‘summary-ish’ than something you’d see IN a story. On the flip side, if it fits in the story that works too. No reason why it can’t be in both! 😀

    That said, as a writer, I get how difficult it can be to start something new. Especially if you don’t quite have the story formulated for yourself yet. I’ve never been much of a ‘planner’, but have realized in recent years it’s definitely helpful to have a story planned before starting. But even so – sitting down and making that ‘great start’ can be daunting. One trick I’ve found to starting? Go over your storyline and find a point that ‘speaks to you’. Then start writing it. Never mind if it’s smack in the middle of the book. Just write it. Then go back and do the beginning. You can fill in the gap and stitch in the scene you started with later. (or not depending on how the rest goes. 🙂 It’s not uncommon for me to have to redo already written scenes because something changed by the time I got to them. But hey, at least they were written down!)

    For me, writing ‘out of order’ a little bit helps get things flowing, lets me get into the mindset of the character and find some traction before dealing with those trouble-spots. (Maybe this is why I discovered I need to plan more. lol Writing out of order can really make things more convoluted. But it also allows me to get ‘inspiration’ for something further on in the story and capture it while it’s fresh rather than having to wait until I ‘get there’. And by then, my enthusiasm has waned.)

    Just a thought. I realize what works for one may not work for another. 🙂

    1. Love all of this. I like to write in order, but when I get stuck will jump to the next scene I can imagine. It’s a great way to get the words flowing.

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