How Did You Write That?

Okay, that's actually a FAQ. How do you write novels? And I say – “Sit butt in chair, turn on computer, open Microsoft Word, begin typing.” It isn't difficult.

To Tell the truth, most of my fiction starts with a question - “What if?” For example: What if one of the Alamo defenders managed to survive? Since the Texans insisted ”They all gave their lives for freedom,” the lone survivor couldn’t go home. His friends thought he’d died for Texas. What could he do? Where could he go? That question is what started me on Escape from the Alamo, my recent novel.

I don’t work from an outline. I know that some writers do that. Like Hemingway, I write scenes first, then assemble them. I have a general idea about where the story is going but no fixed plan to get there. Among other things, it depends on what the characters tell me as the story progresses. My hero Possum, in Escape from the Alamo, started life as an old Tennessee long-rifle woodsman, a “dirty shirt.” As the story developed he started getting younger and younger. At last, I went back and made him a teenager. he was happier with that.

And yes, you might find some part of yourself in a character in one of my stories, but it’s not likely. That is, unless you lived in South Texas, where most of my characters come from. The old Texas Ranger Whitey Wilson is based on a lanky, raw-boned electrician I worked for at the Kingsville Naval Air Station. He was unique in real life. I added a little Clint Eastwood.

Yes, you can do it, too. If you can dream a dream, you can write a story.

How about it? Start now?

Dac Crossley
February 7, 2012 (Happy Birthday, Mac!)

“Words are like money: There is nothing so useless, except when put to use.” – Samuel Johnson.

Comments

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[Walter Lawrence]

Your post reminds me of the quote from J. Frank Dobie: "The story belongs to him that tells it best."

A story worth reading is one that is told well. The writer struggles with the anxiety and pleasure of producing it.

The one aspect of writing that always interests me is how different readers can interpret the same story in such different ways. Sometimes, they get an idea out of the writing that was never intended by the writer. But that's all part of the beauty of the process.

Looking forward to reading how Possum's tale unfolds.

[Eileen Obser]

Great blog -- simple, direct, letting us know how you do it, your methods. Makes me (us) think and compare. We learn, and when we sit our "butts" down in the chair, some of your words are pushing us as we start typing. Thanks!

[Pat Shields]

My twosense worth tells me that experience is an honest, fair, hard, teacher...if you pay attention.

My experiences seem to harden into something to chew on. Spit out the gristle and bone, and a good story usually comes alive. Living a catch as catch can lifestyle gives one a big helping of experience.

Friend of mine said about song writing: First, you do it, then you do it for fun, then you do it seriously, and then you're done! Works for a lot of things.

[tometta hentz]

Dac - you make it sound so simple --- how I wish it was. Reality sets in --- and tenacity rears it's ugly head - once again. Alway love your posts. Tometta

[Caroline Clemmons]

"What if" rules our minds, doesn't it? Maybe not rules, but certainly gets the brain percolating.

[Sunny Frazier]

While I always know my plot from end to end, I have always written in sequence. However, I'm writing a book now with key scenes written first. Not sure if this is going to work for me--my head is already confused.

Writing is all about experimentation, both with what you write and how you write it.

[Velda Brotherton]

I always enjoy your down to earth posts, as I'm sure anyone who writes does.

[Celia Yeary]

Two of a kind--I write like you, waiting to see how the story unfolds, what the characters want to do, etc. I'm stuck right now in a story I've tried to write for about a year. But it won't write itself as all others have done. I ask you...why not?
I won't know until somebody tells me.

[irene black]

You reduced tons of exposition on how to write to one sentence.
Congratulations.
Irene

[Bill Stroud]

Dac, I agree with everything you wrote and would only add one thing, something you implied, but didn't come right out and say.

Writing is a process. People get discouraged because they don't have a full story plotted, with all the twists and turns, characters fully developed. Doesn't work like that. Like you, my characters evolve as I get to know them. The plot changes, sometimes dramatically, as I get to know my characters and the general lay of the land. Sometimes the changes get pretty extreme, like yours changing from old to young. Like you, I have only a vague notion of the plot, but I see scenes vividly. Later I can link them together, or reshape them as the plot evolves. You were right on the money when you said, a novel doesn't start until you start it, even if you have no idea where it's going to end up.