Introduction
It’s been almost two months since my update about OUT OF THE FLAME. I haven’t made as much progress as I’d like since I’m also proposing and composing presentations. But, I am trying to fit in a few hours several days a week.
Here’s a quick summary of my story discovery process.
What I Am Learning
- Writing time travel is tricky!! Reading mentor texts like The Devil’s Arithmetic, Time Traveling with A Hamster, and The Retake have been helpful. But mainly what I have realized that each author does it differently. To be honest, I’ve concluded that pretty much anything goes, as long as it makes sense and the author is consistent. (Easier said than done!)
- Books for boys must include adventures as well as a hero–who against all odds–solves the story problem.
- Backstory is important, but mostly the narrative needs to go forward. The emotional wound/traumatic event in the character’s past plays a vital role in establishing who the character is in the present. But, I need to introduce this information artfully and sparingly.
- Kids today hardly have room in their busy schedules and screen-dominated lives to pick up a book. If they do, it’s got to hook them quickly and keep them turning pages.
Hint: If you want to learn more about hooking and keeping boy readers, subscribe to JJ Johnson’s Substack. His posts are pithy and quick reads–just like his books for middle grade kids.
What I Am Figuring Out
- Neither boy trusts each other when they meet. To be honest, would you trust someone who suddenly shows up in your life who looks different, talks different, doesn’t know how he got there, and claims to have the solution to your immediate problem?
- Why was George Johnson, my character who works in a glass factory in 1893, sent back to 1750? (I have a few ideas)
- How will he get back? (I have no idea)
- Who is the antagonist (I have some idea) and what role will he play? (Working on it.)
Image from Magnific
Your Turn
If you are an author, what aspect of discovering your story do you enjoy? What is tough for you?
Reader: what do you wonder about when you read a book? What do you wish you knew about the process of writing a book?
I look forward to reading your comments!
This is so intriguing Carol! I will be eager to meet these characters and see their interactions! What I love about discovering the story is the unexpected details I include that actually turn out to be much bigger than some tiny character description, food my character hates, or toy my character played with as a child.
Indeed, Joyce. I’m finding that out this time around!!!
Hey Carol–please finish this book so I can share it with my Texas nephews!
Working on it, Barbara!!!
I’m enjoying following your thoughts for this book, Carol! Very intriguing!
Thanks, Kathy. I appreciate your comment.
Very interesting to think and read about.
Thank you, Laura. There’s so MUCh that goes into writing a novel!
You’ve figured out some key points about writing a time travel novel. You should keep it short too, as that’s a trend in middle grade. Good luck figuring out your plot points.
Thanks for that tip, Natalie. I’ll keep that in mind!