Making a Breakthrough
I’ve been stalled on chapter 7 on my newest book for a while now. My gut feeling told me that something was very wrong, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Yesterday I tried to summarize my book in a single sentence, and let me tell you, it was almost impossible. The working summary is this: A healer has to choose between a steadfast man who loves her and the wounded knight who broke her heart years ago. Once I worked out the sentence, it started to clarify the story. My critique partners will tell you I’m very guilty of “cluttering” the story with too many threads. :loser: Hope I have it worked out now.
Anyway, after that, I started focusing on my hero. I knew my heroine–her goals, her motivations, but not his. I took him apart, trying to understand the way a man would perceive a debilitating injury. Now we women know, in real life, there are two types of men: those who act like babies when they’re sick :hissyfit:and those who pretend they’re just fine, even when they’re about to fall over. 
The latter is a more heroic in a romance novel. That’s when I zeroed in on the problem: my hero was a whiner. But the good news? I can fix him. Now that I’ve discovered where I went off course, I can drag this book back to where it needs to be. AND! To make things even better, I found the source of their romantic conflict. Oooh, and is it ever good! Love that.
In other news, my son is discovering that age 4 requires more responsibility. He’s having to learn things the hard way. As a mom, it bothers me, but I’m convinced that I’m doing the right thing. He doesn’t keep his room clean, and we have a new policy in the household. Any toys that are not put away on time are confiscated. I have a plastic tub FULL of toys right now. Last night was the kicker. One of his treasured toys, Woody from Toy Story, was left out. He was outraged, and there were many tears at bedtime. Still, he has to learn to put his things away when he’s finished playing. Either way, he’ll accomplish this eventually–either by not having any toys left or by finally getting the message. I wonder how long it will take?
Anyone have any thoughts to share on what worked for them?
Michelle posted in Writing @ 6:29 am | Viewed 2135 times
beth Says:
First, congrats on dissecting your whiner.
Second..I feel for your son, but you’re doing the right thing. Mine used to go in a garbage bag and if I hadn’t done the chores required to redeem them by X amount of weeks…they were G.O.N.E. I was older though at that point, so the tub sounds good (and a lot less heartless
)He’ll get it. He may hate it for a while, but he’ll catch on.
Peggy Says:
I like a hero that is tough on the outside, but soft on the inside. Whether he hates it and fights against it, the heroine brings out the soft side (or baby side), because she forces him to feel his vulnerability.
Re toy clean up. . .let me know when you got it figured out. My house looks like a tornado swept through and only touched the toys.
Stacy Says:
Being a mom is hard…period. We do something similar and it’s just getting through the first heartbreaking tears that is horrid. When they realize the dramatics don’t work they start getting the hint but sure leaves me with the guilts.
Stacy Says:
Oh I forgot to say Good for you on the story! Sounds like you’ve got things moving nicely again.:dancingfool:
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
Woo Hoo on the writing breakthrough, Michelle!!!
Kelly Says:
Don’t you love it when it all comes together like that? I had a similar type weekend. Feels like everything is falling into place…
Stephanie Says:
Congrats on working out the story tangle!!
Missie Says:
Good job on the story! I can’t wait to read it in its glorious NY Times bestseller published form! Woo-hoo!
You are doing the right thing with the toys. We did the same for my son, but it was the trash can they went into. I only had to bring the can into his room ONE TIME and act like I was placing a toy in there before he grabbed the toy, apologized for leaving it out, and the room remained clean for posterity. Today, at 10, he is really good about cleaning his room. If it gets messy, all I have to say is, “Son, I can go clean it for you,” and he’s quickly saying, “NO, Mom, I got it. No problem!”
Rene Says:
I have the same problem as you. I get into all of these convoluted plot points and miss the main issue. Keep It Simple, Stupid is my new motto.
Ah yes, the confiscated toys. I have them all over the house in bins. My daughter went several months without barbies because of her lack of effort on the clean up front. But these lessons must be learned.
Melissa Marsh Says:
I’m the same way! Too many plot points. Sigh…and we have to learn the hard way that they don’t work.
Glad you got it figured out!
Bren Says:
Don’t you just love it when things come together? I try to keep things focused as I’m writing and for me, putting the events into order helps. A little less than an outline and more than no outline (if that makes sense!). I have an events section in my writing program that does this beautifully and helps me stay on track.
As for the toys thing, yes I think you’re doing exactly the right thing. There have to be consequences, but at least it isn’t everlasting. If the child does the right thing, he gets the toys back, simple as that. The difficult part as a mom is sticking to your guns, and that is the most important thing. If they figure out they can sway you once, watch out! lol: duh:
Crystal* Says:
Not to be a wet blanket…but I have an almost 12 year old who still likes to decorate her floor. Of course, there’s not enough room in her bedroom for most of her toys. And I KNOW those Bratz are procreating. I just know it.
Excellent on the progress!!
Grins*
Michelle Says:
Chrys–Oh no, not procreating Bratz! The horror….
Bren–mine is a very loose outline, always subject to change. But it works for me!
Missie–I’m hoping there will be payoff in the end!
Amy K. Says:
What worked? You’re funny! Good luck and please share if your method works.
As for cluttering a story, I’m guilty of that tendency too. Congrats on your breakthrough!
April Alsup Says:
Congrats on getting everything sorted out!:banana:
And keep up the good work with your little tot. It may not be easy, but wouldn’t it be better if he learned NOW rather than later!
MaryF Says:
Man, I wish I’d thought of the toy thing when my son was little. Would save me a LOT of trouble now.
WTG on the breakthrough!