Tina Joyce
Secrets, Plot Wrinkles, and
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Smoothing out the wrinkles
As a writer, I’ve been thinking a lot about plot wrinkles lately.
Those folds and tucks in the fabric of a story that must be
ironed out in order for our characters to grow and move forward.
We meticulously smooth and press each ugly crinkle, so that the
final product will be something we—and our characters—can be
proud of.
Sometime these wrinkles take the form of an inner demon that
must be caught and conquered. Other times, it’s an
insecurity which appears when our characters least expect it.
A painful relationship from the past. A killer whose identity must be revealed. Whatever
the problem, a plot wrinkle stands in the way of our characters getting what they truly
desire.
What I call ironing out plot wrinkles, others might call knocking the rough edges off a
diamond, or putting gold through a refining process. Whatever the name, it’s painful.
As writers, we agonize over placing our characters in untenable situations, even knowing
they will come out stronger on the other side. With each smoothed wrinkle, comes
healing. The process continues until we have a final product that is smooth, pure and a
delight to look at. As a romance writer, the characters I’ve fought so hard to create will
get their happy ending, although it won’t be easy...and it won’t necessarily be perfect.
Plot wrinkles? Hand over that fabric and let’s get started.
As a writer, I’ve been thinking a lot about plot wrinkles lately.
Those folds and tucks in the fabric of a story that must be
ironed out in order for our characters to grow and move forward.
We meticulously smooth and press each ugly crinkle, so that the
final product will be something we—and our characters—can be
proud of.
Sometime these wrinkles take the form of an inner demon that
must be caught and conquered. Other times, it’s an
insecurity which appears when our characters least expect it.
A painful relationship from the past. A killer whose identity must be revealed. Whatever
the problem, a plot wrinkle stands in the way of our characters getting what they truly
desire.
What I call ironing out plot wrinkles, others might call knocking the rough edges off a
diamond, or putting gold through a refining process. Whatever the name, it’s painful.
As writers, we agonize over placing our characters in untenable situations, even knowing
they will come out stronger on the other side. With each smoothed wrinkle, comes
healing. The process continues until we have a final product that is smooth, pure and a
delight to look at. As a romance writer, the characters I’ve fought so hard to create will
get their happy ending, although it won’t be easy...and it won’t necessarily be perfect.
Plot wrinkles? Hand over that fabric and let’s get started.
Contact me at:
tinajoyce@tina-joyce.com
tinajoyce@tina-joyce.com
| © 2008-2010 website maintained by Tina Joyce |