Topic: Writing the "Wrong" Chapter

I swear, every time I sit down to write a certain chapter, I end up writing something completely different. I have random spurts of writing that are all over my novel's timeline, which is great once I reach that spot. Then I can just edit it a bit and jump ahead. Downside is, the little OCD devil on my shoulder is screaming for chronological order.

So, I'm curious, do you ever find yourself consistently writing the "wrong" chapter? Do you write chronologically, or do you just write what comes to mind?

-Elisheva

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Re: Writing the "Wrong" Chapter

Good question, Elisheva. Most of the time I write serially, sticking to my plot timeline in chronological order. But, if I get a great idea for a scene, I'll jump ahead and write it, even if just a rough outline. My OCD doesn't kick up because I rationalize it by saying "well, it just an outline". I will NOT put in in a designated chapter, but just label the file with "fight scene" or "Landslide" or whatever.

~Tom

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Re: Writing the "Wrong" Chapter

I write as the Muse guides. Sometimes I do have to rearrange once all is written down. In my Hillbilly Hijinx series, I have 4 stories about the same thing told from 4 different perspectives. Some of the scenes have to be similar b/c the happen to more than one person. Imagine keeping a timeline straight across 4 books!

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Re: Writing the "Wrong" Chapter

Yikes! I'd have a hard time keeping track across so many books. Kudos to you, Janet.

I have a few chapters that are just outlines while some are partially filled in and still others are nearly complete. Most of them are fairly close to one another, but sometimes I end up almost completing, say, Chapters 4 and 5, while Chapter 3 is very nearly a blank page.

-Elisheva

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Re: Writing the "Wrong" Chapter

Great question!  As someone else mentioned, I write according to where the muse takes me. Sometimes that ends up being chronological, sometimes not. The only time I fight the muse and remain strictly chronological is when I'm making an edit pass on plot. I find it nearly impossible to keep track of continuity issues if I jump around during a plot edit.

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Re: Writing the "Wrong" Chapter

Elisheva Free wrote:

Yikes! I'd have a hard time keeping track across so many books. Kudos to you, Janet.

I have a few chapters that are just outlines while some are partially filled in and still others are nearly complete. Most of them are fairly close to one another, but sometimes I end up almost completing, say, Chapters 4 and 5, while Chapter 3 is very nearly a blank page.

-Elisheva

That's not a bad thing if you are still in the drafting phase. Discipline can kick into high gear once the drafting is done and the rewrites begin smile

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Re: Writing the "Wrong" Chapter

Linda Lee wrote:
Elisheva Free wrote:

Yikes! I'd have a hard time keeping track across so many books. Kudos to you, Janet.

I have a few chapters that are just outlines while some are partially filled in and still others are nearly complete. Most of them are fairly close to one another, but sometimes I end up almost completing, say, Chapters 4 and 5, while Chapter 3 is very nearly a blank page.

-Elisheva

That's not a bad thing if you are still in the drafting phase. Discipline can kick into high gear once the drafting is done and the rewrites begin smile

At this point, "rewrites" feel like far off nightmares awaiting my arrival. Eep!

-Elisheva

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Re: Writing the "Wrong" Chapter

When I sit down to write, I take a look at my outline to refresh myself.  As I begin to write I find that sometimes the material isn't suitable for the current chapter but might fit in better later on.  I don't discard anything and put it aside as it might be useful later (or even in another story).  When I start rewriting, though, I do stick with just the chapter that I'm working on.  Even while working on my current novel, I've already put aside ideas for two more.  When ideas come, I grab them and worry about where to use the material later.  But that's me.  Good luck, Randy

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Re: Writing the "Wrong" Chapter

Sometimes I get an idea for a description or dialogue and take a note of it, and I wrote some fight scenes early, but other than that, I wrote my first draft in order.

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10 Reply by Janet Taylor-Perry (edited by Janet Taylor-Perry 2015-09-11 01:32:36)

Re: Writing the "Wrong" Chapter

I do a quasi outline. I name my chapters. Yet, there I times I rearrange the order or add a chapter. Chapter names always have something to do with what happens in the chapter. When "outlining", I write the name & 2 or 3 sentences to tell what will happen in the chapter. Oh, and I hand write, then type.

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Re: Writing the "Wrong" Chapter

Linda Lee wrote:
Elisheva Free wrote:

Yikes! I'd have a hard time keeping track across so many books. Kudos to you, Janet.

I have a few chapters that are just outlines while some are partially filled in and still others are nearly complete. Most of them are fairly close to one another, but sometimes I end up almost completing, say, Chapters 4 and 5, while Chapter 3 is very nearly a blank page.

-Elisheva

That's not a bad thing if you are still in the drafting phase. Discipline can kick into high gear once the drafting is done and the rewrites begin smile

Hi, Linda--I like the first part of what you and Janet said--let the muse take you. Or, in my own down to earth language. if you get a killer idea for chapter 24, why work through all those other chapters just to get to it? That would be as silly as forcing yourself to go down every aisle in the store to find the toilet paper. Okay, my muse's manner of speaking is a little harsh, but I think you do get my point.
Anyway, I'm in rewrite with Roberta now, and I think her story is perfect, but then someone points out a hole, or doesn't understand my meaning, and I just hop over and fix it. The real discipline, to me, is making sure I correct each and every error I can.  JP

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