by Stephen L. Duncan
In 1453, the Ottomans finally conquered Constantinople (not
Istanbul) and so fell the safe land trade route that was the Silk Road from
Europe to China and Southeast Asia.
Thus arose a need to reestablish the stream of commerce by
nautical means.
Enter Christopher Columbus. With a comprehensive knowledge
of trade winds and a negligent understanding of the size of the Earth, he blundered
into the Bahamas on October 12th, 1492 and changed the world.
I like to think that, as writers, we all sometimes set out
with expectations of where our words will take us and what we expect to find at
the end of our journey, only to arrive at a completely different – and often better –
destination. The Columbus connection is a natural and obvious notion, first because it's Columbus Day and I'm trying to be timely here, and second because writing a story is at its core simply about discovery. After all, are authors
not also explorers?
Scenes, and even sometimes characters, often arrive because
of a need in our story structure, much like the need of a route to the Indies
set the Santa Maria, the Pinta, and the Santa Clara on their journey west. And
surely like Columbus must have also prepared, we may plot and outline
meticulously, detail every character and setting, and order scene after scene,
trying to keep the story within our tightest limits of control. But how often
does it seem that, while on our journey, the winds fill our sails and take us
into unfamiliar waters and lead us to land not found on any of our maps?
Don’t be afraid of making these mistakes. I say let go and
embrace the unpredictable whenever you feel the story steering away from you. Flesh
them out and see where they take you. You might be surprised by what you discover.
Who knows? You might find gold. Happy Columbus Day!
Stephen L. Duncan writes young adult fiction,
including his debut, the first book in The Revelation Saga, due in
2014 from Medallion Press. You can find him blogging on INKROCK.com and on Twitter.
8 comments:
As a dedicated discovery writer, I endorse this message.
For me, by and large, the destination is unknown when I set out. I have a character, or a scene, or a very beginning scenario in mind when I start. The end becomes more apparent as I get further along in the journey, but it's mostly uncharted territory. It's a lot of fun writing like that.
Unlike Columbus, though, my stories really can fall off the edge of the world.
Great analogy, Stephen. I don't use an outline, although with Scrivener, I'm becoming at least a little organized before I start my stories! I do generally have the desitination in mind when I start, but I love the discoveries along the route!
What a great analogy! Nicely done, sir.
Christopher Columbus has been much maligned in recent times, but still one must acknowledge the amazing feat he accomplished.
Yes, we writers are explorers and I hope we end up with better reputations than poor Chris.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Christopher Columbus has been much maligned in recent times, but still one must acknowledge the amazing feat he accomplished.
Yes, we writers are explorers and I hope we end up with better reputations than poor Chris.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Oh yeah, seeing where it takes you is half the fun! And think of the courage those early explorers must have had. Wow. You hear about British explorers being stuck in the ice in Northern Canada for years with their ships and refusing to wear anything but proper British attire. Wow. Okay, actually that is a little crazy. Kind of like refusing to see that maybe the way things are going in your manuscript are actually a good thing and may save your writing [life].
i am glad i looked back to see this great post--you are right--i am not one to not know where i am going, if it is something i have to do--i just want to get it over---i much prefer the times when i have no destination:)
i am glad i looked back to see this great post--you are right--i am not one to not know where i am going, if it is something i have to do--i just want to get it over---i much prefer the times when i have no destination:)
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