So I'm going really strong on my WIP. I'm at just under 25,000 words which is pretty good I think for only three weeks of work. It could have been more of course if not for life getting in the way as usual (like WriteOnCon, and a spur-of-the-moment camping trip this past weekend).
Anyway, so I was thinking about my WIP last night and realized that I have a problem. Or two.
I. Hate. That. I want to keep moving forward, keep writing. I don't want to have to stop and go back and fix something. Some people say, never go back until the whole thing is finished. Heck- I even say that sometimes. But one of my problems is this: I need to change my MC's job. This is an adult novel, not YA this time, and a job is pretty important to a person's life. I need my MC to have a job, and yet I need it to be in the background. A job that isn't daily 9-5. I thought I had it set, but then I realized, there is NO WAY my MC would spend four years of schooling to become a nurse (yes a nurse is what I picked) and then not actually NURSE. That's just not realistic. I can see it if she had kids or something. But she doesn't. In fact, if anything, she would want to get away from her family to do her job. So it makes NO SENSE WHATSOEVER for her to get her nursing license and then not practice.
So. Crap. I have some changing to do whether I want to or not. Because I can't move forward when this major part of my MC's life isn't sorted out.
And this problem doesn't even include the fact that I haven't totally figured out my novel's locations yet. Yikes. Right now I have a whole lot of question marks where the places should be named. I need to figure this out too before I move forward.
Am I the only one who needs to resolve problems before moving forward? Or can you ignore those things and fix them after the whole book is done?
I'm the same as you - I can't even move forward if a MCs name doesn't seem right to me.
ReplyDeleteShe could be a substitute teacher? Or another job that would involve staying home is writer. I can imagine her writing for a newspaper, just a small weekly column or something. Something like this you can't just leave alone, it will slow you down in the long run I think if you don't change it.
ReplyDeleteI have sooo been there. You are not alone. Don't kick yourself. Go back. Fix what needs fixed. Especially if it's throwing a wrench in continuing on with your story. Rules are made to be broken. Right?
ReplyDeleteBeen there, done that, and found going back afterwards worked for me. I just made a note of the career change and worked forward as though the MC had that job all along. It was something I picked up from Holly Lisle.
ReplyDeleteIf it helps, my mother was a nurse and her schedule was different each week. I'm not sure if that was unique to the Veteran's Administration though. She worked 4 12-hour shifts then had 3 days off. I know when she worked in maturity her schedule was more regular with either a morning, swing, or night shift. She also worked as an on-call nurse (like a substitute teacher) mostly at hospice/nursing home type facilities though she also did that at the VA just before she retired. So perhaps the nursing career could still work.
You need to do whatever works for you to keep moving forward in the story. Good luck.
I deal with this the same way as raelyn. I make a note about the major change and forge ahead as though it'd always been the case.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't want to go back, take the time to figure out her new job and how it'll influence the story, and then act as though you'd always written it that way.
Don't you hate it when you're on a roll and you have to pause to go back and fix something little? Totally abhor it, but if it's necessary, there's no way around it. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHey! I nominated you for a couple of blog awards. Come pick them up at my blog!
ReplyDeleteHey I just passed an award to you!
ReplyDeleteNot I :) I pretty much blow through my first draft no matter what. I've been known to include a new talent/knowledge/character completely out of the blue despite having no set-up for it. I just get it done, and THEN I go back and fix the gaping plot holes. That's what works best for me :)
ReplyDeleteI have to go back. Always. Actually, most times when I become stuck with wip it's because something isn't right earlier and I can only move on once I've identified and fixed the problem.
ReplyDeleteToo funny, I've also just had a problem with my hero's job, went back and forth over it for a week (while the wip stagnated) only to finally work out that her original job actually would work just fine.
Thanks for all the comments and help! I think I'm going to forget the nursing. I'm thinking now since my MC plays piano quite well of doing something with that. Just don't know what yet. Need to do some research.
ReplyDeleteWhoops I forgot to mention earlier that I also have an award for you! Now it looks like at least two liebsters and a versatile blogger? Why do they all come at once? Haha
ReplyDeleteI think the nurse idea is fine. Plenty of people go to school for things they don't use. The piano idea is good, too. Piano teacher would work and would not be 9-5. Here's some more: Landscaper, Real Estate Agent, Freelance Writer, Professor, Substitute teacher, Temp.
ReplyDeleteI like Kirsten's ideas, and maybe dental hygienist or waitress--flexible hours.
ReplyDeleteWhen deciding whether to go back and fix a problem, for me, it depends on how drastic the problem is. For example, if I've changed the character from being a nun to having a career as a famous actress, that would change the dynamics of the entire story--so I'd have to go back. But I don't think there's any one way to write a great story. Just don't get discouraged!
Hi Melanie,
ReplyDeleteI saw your interview on michelle's site and came over to check out yours. I like it and no you are not the only one that gets stuck like this. I too would be stumped for a while.
For me, it depends on how big the problem is. If it's going to play a major part in the book, I would prefer to fix it straight up so you can move forward knowing you're on track. Also, if it changes the character's personality, I would also prefer to fix it because there's nothing worse than an inconsistent MC! :-)
ReplyDelete