Well, it’s official. Despite all my vows to the contrary, yesterday afternoon I was forced to send a Dear John letter to my current work in progress. With the flourish of my imaginary pen, the manuscript I had promised to see through until the end became my former love. This is not without regret, and it probably isn’t permanent, but while I could ignore my yen to work on something different, I couldn’t ignore logic. And logic told me to go back to my earlier WIP, the one that reappeared last weekend, because that’s the one I really should sell first (assuming I do, in fact, sell it). So, there you go: Another good relationship done in by common sense and consumerism.
This means I’m back to plotting. This is one of my favorite parts of writing, and a step I generally take alone. But last night I was in the mood for a good brainstorming, and since I’m currently without a critique partner, I enlisted my husband. Plotting with hubs is often amusing and always interesting, because he and I have wildly different views on writing. (You may remember the Great Title Search of 2008.) To my everlasting amazement, however, it’s often productive. You see, as I try to find ways to gently explain why his suggestions won’t work, I often either come up with variations that will work or discover that he was right all along. As a bonus, I’m usually so pleased with the developments that I forget to be annoyed that he’s the one who gave me all the good ideas.
The best part of brainstorming with hubs, however, is not ironing out plot points, developing character motivations, or crafting the perfect title. No, I do it for the entertainment. You see, I write happy books, mostly romantic comedies. There are a lot of variations in plot, but the promise is there: the hero and heroine, while flawed, are decent (and usually sane) human beings, and although they find plenty of trouble along the way they will end up together in the end. But hubs, who reads Shakespeare for fun (he’s especially fond of the histories) did not get this memo. Which means that yesterday evening I actually got to point out that romance heroes do not:
- Decide they do not love the heroine after all.
- Ride their bicycles naked across the country — yes, even at night, when no one can see them.
- Aspire to “find a sugar mama and retire early”.
- Die at the end of the book.
Amazingly, besides plenty of laughter, some good stuff came out of our brainstorming, and I had a great day of writing today. Now, though, I can’t wait until hubs finally starts writing that book he sometimes talks about, so I can suggest some really wild things, like that his main characters actually find somebody to love. Somebody who loves them back and lives until long after the story ends. But he’ll probably reject those suggestions just like I often reject his. And that? Is the real spirit of brainstorming: Anything goes, even the truly crazy. And none of it is meant to be taken seriously — unless, that is, it actually works in the book.
the naked bike riders sounds good to me. good name for a book too!
See, now that you guys are mentioning it, I can’t help but think of writing a book with a naked cross-country bike rider. I still can’t see him as the hero in a romance novel, but he’d make a terrific secondary character. See what my husband’s suggestions do to me? He gave me a great secondary character for this book, too!
And I think you’re so right; sometimes it really helps to discuss a book with someone who has no preconceived notions of the genre because then the brainstorming is freer and there’s no stifling of ideas.
Heather*, I agree that it can be done. Look at Nicholas Sparks–and, I think, Nicholas Evans (right?). But, unfortunately, it does not make for a satisfying romance novel. And while I love reading books with bittersweet endings, I don’t think I could live in such a world long enough to write such endings. Though maybe someday.
And, David, I don’t think he’d be writing in Shakespeare’s voice, but you never know. After reading through so much of his stuff, maybe he can’t avoid it.
Lainey, your comment cracked me up! Show him the wang!
My fubby and I brainstorm well together, I’m often looking to him for inspiration and advice.
I’d add a naked bike rider somewhere. The hero’s BFF. Someone who drives the Heroine crazy!!! If not in this book save it for another.
I was looking forward to watching you juggle two loves but I do understand the need to pick the one you feel the strongest about. I spent the weekend with one of my good friends who is also one of my beta readers. We discussed my current project, a series. The first one is in the submission process and I’m outlining book two. We got the fun of discussing plots, subplots, love interests, etc. It was so much fun and it got me looking at things from different angles.
Good luck on your current WIP.
You guys sound like you had a good time brainstorming. It is always better to push out ideas, internalize them, spit out again when it doesn’t connect with what you want to do, with someone who is not familiar. Sometimes that’s where the best ideas are from.
Sorry about the other novel.
That was hysterical! My hubby just growls at me if I try to run creative ideas by me. I love the idea of brainstorming with a critique partner. I have to try this one day.
Great post! Ah, I’ve never brainstormed with hubby on a novel. Unless it’s in a magazine form, preferrable fishing/hunting topics, he gives this glazed-eye reaction and nods saying, “Sounds good, hon.” Okaaayy. 🙂 I’ve much better going solo, trust me.
naked bike riding? really? 🙂 Hmm…that sounds both uncomfortable and slightly unsanitary… great post!
Robin, that’s wonderful! I love hearing about couples who work so well together when it comes to one spouse’s writing.
Liane, worry not! I won’t forget about the other book. It’ll probably just have to wait until I’m done with this one before it gets my attention.
Thanks, Dru. I’m a little sad about giving it up because I was having so much fun with it. But I hope to be back at it within a few months.
Thanks, Ello! Sometimes I hear about entire groups of authors who get together to brainstorm each other’s books. I’d love something like that someday.
LOL, LaDonna! Yeah, I don’t think he’d consider much of what I write interesting, either. But he gets to hear about it anyway. 😀
Virginia, your comment made me laugh out loud! Yes, it definitely sounds both unsanitary *and* very uncomfortable. Not for me! Or for my hero. And he’s thanking me for that, believe me.
Hi Caryn! I so enjoy your blogs! You always bring a smile to my face. Love your husband’s ideas for romance heroes! I’m a pantster so don’t do a lot of plotting, although I’m starting to do more now. My hubby is great at helping me brainstorm too. He’s got great ideas – not quite as adventurous as your husband’s, but entertaining nonetheless. Best of luck with your manuscript and *fingers crossed* that you do sell!