by: Staci Stallings
Every book is a challenge. Some are more challenging than others, and some are challenging in different ways than others.
For example, when I wrote a book about a dancer, I had to do lots of research about dance. I had to learn terms and how to put specific movements into words that flowed like music. That was a challenge.
When I wrote about a young journalist covering a dangerous story, the research part was easy. I had been a young journalist in a newsroom. I had lived that experience. What I hadn’t lived was being a new student in a huge school. I hadn’t lived having someone stalking me. I hadn’t lived trying to protect my friends from someone who literally wanted to kill them. That was a challenge.
Every book has its own challenges, but one of the challenges that presents itself in every book is that of how to weave a story. How do you take all of these random threads and bits and scenes and somehow weave them together so they a) make sense, b) keep the reader engaged, and c) tell a heart-gripping story that makes readers simultaneously want to read it, not put it down, but never want it to end? Yeah. That’s what I’m up against every time I audaciously start a new story.
Now, you might already think I’m out of my mind to take on such a crazy-difficult task, and honestly, there are times I totally agree with you. But in this writing season, I’m finding myself even more challenged than normal. The good news is, for way the most part, many of the technical aspects of this series (The Imagination Series) fall pretty well within my own life experiences. I am a musician. I play the piano and the guitar, and I sing. I write music. I’ve written poetry. I’ve been a student. I can fake knowing about cars. (HAHA!)
I’ve put on proms and decorated spaces. I know about punch and sound systems. I’ve even studied psychology, religion, and film. All of those are threads in this series, and those are relatively easy.
There are a few threads I haven’t had direct experience with such as domestic violence and the court systems. So those have taken more research, but by and large, that hasn’t been a huge challenge.
The really challenging thing with this one is the sheer immensity of it all. Of course, it didn’t start out that way. In 2009, when I wrote the first book, it was literally supposed to be ONE BOOK. Now, I’m working on Book #9 with #10 and #11 swimming around in my head constantly.
So with this one, the real challenge has become how to craft this whole ginormous story into something that is going to, in the end, have all the elements I’ve been given and actually make sense. And it’s funny as I go because scenes I knew were going to happen, happened out of sync of what I thought they would while some just hang out there illusively calling like a Siren Song I can’t get out of my head.
For example, I know that Greg and Taylor go to Meow Wolf in Santa Fe… twice. (Right now, they haven’t even gone once.) I have seen the car ride as they are traveling. I have seen them as they explore the crazy-cool art gallery. I have seen what happens at the top of the stairs. It’s all right there for me, in my head, always calling, never leaving, but illusive like a dream that may never happen.
The insane thing with this particular series is that some of the scenes floating around in my head have been there for YEARS, and somehow, actually putting them on paper doesn’t change that. It’s like having someone else’s memories… even though some of them haven’t happened yet…? That makes no sense, but to me, it’s perfectly normal. (I think that makes me weird!)
When I think about Taylor and Greg, I know all these little details like how he was in school and how that shaped him into who he is today even though he doesn’t even really know how or why, where he got his first guitar and why that changed everything about everything in his life, her actual spirit and life calling that’s been buried under equal layers of shame and trying to be something she’s not, and those red cough drops… oh, yes. Those are still coming. No, I haven’t forgotten about them. Trust me.
It’s all right there in my head like this is my life I’m writing down, even though I don’t really have a plot written nor is there an outline of how I’m going to get where this thing is taking me. It’s like driving with no real map other than a vague understanding of where you’re supposed to be going.
Anyway, I guess we can call this blog musing on the odd quirks of being a writer, or something like that. Yes, sometimes being me is a real challenge because this stuff never stops in my head. It swims there 24/7.
So, dear readers, I’m curious from you… when you think about authors and how books and series are written, do you envision plots and outlines or just sitting down and writing? How do you think the stories come to be? Can you tell if a story is plotted from the beginning or written as the author goes? How? What types are your favorites?
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts from the other side of this project called the written life!
Mary Preston says
If a book is very well written I should not even consider how it came to be. I should be totally immersed.
Lori R says
I envision plots and outlines but I am sure the characters sometimes take you in other directions too.
Paula Marie says
I love learning how different authors bring their stories to life! Thank you for sharing your journeys!
Diana says
I never know how a book is written. I do however enjoy reading! Thank you for writing! I do sew in my head trying different ways to make something work and trying different designs before actually making them.
Renate says
Hi Staci! Having taught high school English for 25 years, I know authors approach writing in various ways – outline, by the seat of their pants, or a little of both. I usually cannot tell the difference. I presume that if a story is part of a series, the author needs to have notes on the characters and setting. Thanks for sharing. Best wishes and happy writing.
Lelia (Lucy) Reynolds says
I realize a lot of research goes into a book if it’s to be believable. I appreciate authors hard work.
Lincoln says
What a fascinating, thoughtful and thought provoking post! As a reader, I feel like I’m a puppy on a leash, following a scent. Where it takes me could be right back to 3 feet from where I started. It doesn’t matter. It’s the captivating scent of the story that matters, the newness of characters met for the first time, the familiar warmth of seeing old friends in new places, the tension of concern for their well-being, the fresh zing of humor and wit, the sheer delight of seeing them discover something new about themselves or about the world that brings them hope or love or joy. There is excitement in the finding of two or three scents as story lines alternate, intersect and ultimately combine.
As a writer, I’m terribly inefficient. Sometimes I think that I would do better if I had a master plan of some kind, but, like you, I have pieces that I know I want to include but no clear way to build a road or a bridge to get there. For now, I’m trusting my experience as a reader to be able to recognize an enjoyable scent trail through the written grass. I self-edit A LOT.
As for the 24/7 jumble of ideas and questions, it’s like spending your day in a potpourri maker’s shop. Scents assault you from every side so you have to sample the various combinations until you find the ones that you will lay out for us, your keen-nosed and happily expectant fans, to enjoy. And maybe a more structured approach is like putting a clothespin on your nose and choosing 4 or 5 scent-makers that you know in your mind, based on your experience as a writer, will work together. You then take those out of the smelly chaos of the shop, take the clothespin off your nose and work with a much simpler set of scents.
I am sure that certain genres have more stringent plotting structures, like thrillers or mysteries, but as a reader, it’s all about following my nose.
Jessica B. says
I really enjoyed this post Staci. It’s interesting to know how long some of these scenes have been in your head waiting their turn to make it into one of your books. I don’t remember ever having a guess as to whether the book I was reading was plotted out before it was written or written without the author having a set plan. I guess it goes to show that either method can be effective, especially if it’s edited well.
Trudy says
Some authors I know plot them all out first in an outline. Others that I read write them as they come to them, nothing “planned” just as it comes, and then they go back and flesh it out and move it around as they need to. I know it’s not as easy as it seems, and that “life” can cause stress when deadlines aren’t met. However, as a reader, as long as the book draws me in, and makes me want to keep reading, and makes me feel as if the characters are friends that I’d love to hang out with, that’s what keeps me going! I have quite a few authors now that I have to read their next book, and it used to only be a few. And, the authors I follow now put out more books than traditionally published authors, so it’s nice to know the next book will be out a lot sooner than 6 months to a year later!
Megan says
I know each author has a different way of getting the story from thought to page. I’m just grateful for those who can write such good books.
Abigail Harris says
I’m finding out more and more about how hard it is to weave a story as I attempt to write a story after reading for years.
Staci Stallings says
HO-BOY! Is that ever true! Reading makes writing look SOOOO easy. I’ve often said I wish I could just sit down and read my stories rather than to have to write them. After they’re done, well, it just looks like that was the simplest thing ever. While I’m writing, I want to pull my hair out half the time!
God bless!
Staci Stallings says
And we are grateful for great readers like you, Megan!
Have an awesome day!
Staci Stallings says
Trudy,
I well remember when I first started and I told my editor or agent (don’t remember which this was back in 2000-2001, that I could easily do 4-6 books a year. They thought I was crazy. Turns out, I couldn’t have kept up the 6 books a year pace, and even 4 is stretching it sometimes, but it’s way more than a book a year.
God bless you! Keep reading!
Staci Stallings says
Jessica,
I think authors kind of get knotted up about this stuff while readers don’t really mind one way or the other as long as the story is good. I’ve had some really crazy conversations with authors over the years about nit-picky things that readers probably never so much as notice. But it’s a good reminder not to get too in-the-weeds with the details of how it’s done–just make sure it’s done well.
God bless!
Staci Stallings says
Mary,
“Totally immersed.” I like that!
Have a blessed day!
Staci Stallings says
Some characters will drive you absolutely batty because you have NO IDEA what they are doing! I’ve had more than a few of those in my lifetime.
Peace.
Staci Stallings says
Paula,
Thanks for stopping by to read about my journey!
Have a magnificent day!
Staci Stallings says
Diana,
The sewing thing is cool. Last year, before he had a working on-screen model of our house, my son would design his light show totally in his head. He did all the computer programming of it before we ever put a single light on our house. When we did, it all worked just the way he had envisioned it. Seems that’s quite a talent!
God bless!
Linda Herold says
I am a retired teacher so I know about the writing process. When I read a good book, I am just amazed by the way the words flow!!
Staci Stallings says
Lincoln,
I like the scent analogies. I really like that last one about taking out a few at a time to work with. That’s kind of what I’m having to do with this one. There are so many that I can’t work with all of them at the same time, or it’s going to stink. So I have to pick and choose a few at a time to work with. I’m really excited because the scene coming up is just the two of them walking and talking. They haven’t done that in a while, and every time they do, it’s so clear why the others are so wrong for them, and that they are so right for each other! Here’s to a sweet smelling scene.
Thanks for stopping by!
Staci Stallings says
Lucy,
I hate research. :) I like to be able to just write the story. Sometimes research is inevitable. Those are the days I wish I wasn’t an author. :)
Happy reading!
Staci Stallings says
Renate,
The funny thing is, the notes don’t help me. I have them everywhere, and even got a box to put them in so I could sort them and maybe they could be of use. HAHAHAH! Even THAT didn’t help! I have so many that I literally just “go fishing” for what comes next until I find something that fits. I have pictures, post-it notes, whole sheets of mind-maps, Chapter-by-chapter notes that worked for a couple of chapters and then the story just got away from me again. I’m beginning to think this story is un-organizable!
Thanks for stopping by!
Staci Stallings says
Linda,
“Flow” is actually one of my strong suits because I’m so musical. I think there is a rhythm or beat to the words, and if you get out of that rhythm, the book gets clunky. My first publication was edited, and the editor tried to make it sound like everyone else’s. I had about 100 readers at the time already (from the books I’d already written to that point). After that first book came out, many of them commented that it was a great story but it didn’t sound anything like me. Years later, I went back and revised that book back into my voice. If it’s in my voice, it’s like I’m literally talking to you, telling you the story out loud, kind of like a bed time story or a movie. If it’s not in my voice, it just sounds so weird to me.
Happy reading!
Melynda says
I don’t often think about what the writing process looks like for authors, but this was very interesting to read! I don’t plot much of anything out only head, but do tend to re-live conversations after I’ve had them. Sometimes it’s because I wish things had gone differently than they did in really life and I’ll try to see if I could have said or done something differently to change that. Other times it’s just because I’m bored and doing that entertains me.
Caitlyn Santi says
Hi, Staci!
As a writer, I am a total pantser, and I have definitely had times where a scene will pop into my head and play out like a movie in my mind’s eye, writing itself in my mind long before I ever actually write it! I always love to hear about an author’s unique writing process, but when it comes to reading I can’t tell the difference between a book written by a plotter, pantser, or plantser.
Thank you for sharing, I hope you’re having a fabulous week!
SARAH TAYLOR says
Staci Thank you for sharing all that goes into writing books I Love to read Thank you for all the work you all do to make a good book come to life!
Ausjenny says
I know a lot goes into writing a book but I don’t tend to think about that when reading a book. Oh I can tell if an author (doesn’t happen as much now) hasn’t done research or thinks they can put things in and readers won’t check or don’t care. (classic is an American writing about Australia without doing any research and putting a town in one state a couple of hours from Sydney when it was in fact about 24 hours or more away.) Or using language that isn’t common to an area. A common error is someone writing and Aussie saying G’day all the time which very few aussies would do.
I often with think how well an author wrote a book or how much I like the topic. Have even thought how a book would be helpful for people in a similar situation,
Staci Stallings says
Melynda,
I think it’s the “I’m bored and that entertains me” idea of where my books come from. I think it’s like the dentist chair they just got. I had some cavities filled with no numbing stuff. The chair they had me in vibrated very softly. At one point it stopped, and the pain got automatically much worse. The dentist was like, “Oh, turn the chair back on. It gives the brain something else to focus on.” I think I do that with my stories and real life!
God bless! Thanks for stopping by!
Staci Stallings says
Caitlyn,
My stories always play like movies in my head. That’s why the better “casting” I do for parts, the easier the book is to write because I can SEE what my characters are doing and hear their particular quirks in how they say things.
Best of luck on your writing! I hope your week is fabulous as well!
Staci Stallings says
Sarah Taylor,
I had to laugh when I read your name (it’s a nice name, don’t get me wrong), but I just wrote a scene between Sarah and Taylor. How ironic is life?
Thanks for stopping by! God bless!
Staci Stallings says
Ausjenny,
That’s why I often make up town names because then it can be wherever I put it and it can look and be however I make it. I am from Texas though, so I know about the whole “it’s a lot farther than you think it is” thing! The basketball team at my son’s school just played a bi-district game (right after district) that was a 7-hour drive… one way!
And in Texas-speak it drives me crazy when people in art overuse “y’all.” Yes, we say it, and once or twice, okay. But every other sentence gets old especially when they do the dramatic Texas drawl with it. It might sound like that to everyone else, but to us, we don’t sound like that! (However, I can do a mean Texas accent if you want me to–to the point you can’t even really understand me. But I don’t talk like that normally.)
Thanks for stopping by and have a g’day y’all! :D
denise says
It doesn’t matter if the author is a plotter or a pantser as long as the end product is a beautiful story.
Staci Stallings says
Denise,
Agreed. I just think it’s fascinating how many ways there are to do what amounts to the same thing. All the shades of the flowers are needed to make the garden beautiful!
God bless!
Judy says
I know that a lot of research usually goes into writing a books location, but I have never really thought about the outline or plot setup. I just really enjoy reading your books and several are on my Books to Keep list and have been read more than once (or twice). Thank you!
Staci Stallings says
That’s so cool, Judy!
Although I consider myself not a plotter, I do collect scenes that I “see” when I go to sleep from a particular story. Then I try to arrange them in some order that semi-makes sense before I actually write them down… the most remarkable thing about it all is that God must literally have a hand in it because in the end, somehow, it comes out and gets elevated to Books to Keep shelves. I think that’s awesome!
Peace & Blessings!
Natalya Lakhno says
I don’t think I can tell a difference 😊 but I can see that it’s a hard work with all the research and character development.
I love the covers! Beautiful!
Shirley Strait says
As long as I can submerge myself in a story I don’t really think about how it came to be.
I have enjoyed your books for quite a while.
Rebekah Miller says
This was so interesting to read! I tried writing a story when I was a teenager…yeah it didn’t go so well..😅 but I have a huge respect for authors that make their characters come to life and the storyline flows smoothly.
Susanne says
I love stories with suspense!
Staci Stallings says
Thanks so much for your kind words, Shirley!
God bless!
Staci Stallings says
Rebekah,
Yeah, sometimes it’s harder than it looks, but really it just takes a lot of practice and being willing to be really bad at it (like I was when I was in school) before you get good at it.
Thanks for stopping by!
Staci Stallings says
Susanne,
Cool!
Thanks for stopping by!