I plotted out a whole new book this weekend! And I’m excited. So, so excited!
And I could talk, oh I could talk…talk your ears off about these wonderful, lovable characters who’ve worked their way into existence. About a plot I’m convinced will keep a reader turning the page. About a climax that – I’m not exaggerating – had me in tears as I imagined it.
I could talk.
If not, that is, for the advice of a guy named Jack Heffron, author of The Writer’s Idea Book. To be honest, I haven’t made it through the whole of the Idea Book because each time I read a chapter or take a look at one of the exercise prompts, I get excited about writing and end up scribbling away instead. But what I’ve read is fun. And practical in times like these, when I’m a bit tempted to spill my guts about the latest story that’s grabbed ahold of me.
Heffron calls this temptation The Talker. And The Talker, he admonishes, must be silenced at all costs:
If you want to develop your ideas to their full potential and to see a work through to completion, take control of The Talker. When writers tell me they can’t help it, or that they need to talk it all out first, my advice is simple: Whenever you’re talking about a work in progress, don’t. Just shut up. Really.” (Heffron, p. 16)
His frankness makes me laugh!
But in all seriousness, the guy’s got a point. Talking about a newborn idea can take a bit of the steam out of it, lessen the initial delight of secrecy. At least, that’s been my experience.
It’s sort of like a balloon, really…the fleshing out of a brilliant new idea like the blowing up a balloon, helium expanding and lifting what would otherwise be a pointless little piece of latex. Blow up the balloon, tie a knot and then…start gabbing to the world about your wonderful idea and it’s like you just stuck a pin in it. You’re left with…latex scraps.
But what about my new writer’s group? Or the few people privileged (uh, helpless?) enough to be on the receiving end of this writer’s vulnerability? Isn’t some critiquing good here and there?
Well, I don’t know if Heffron would think so (like I said, I haven’t finished the book!), but in my limited experience, it’s been amazingly helpful to have a few listening ears. Just not necessarily at the start of a project. And not necessarily in large doses! 🙂
It’s like this…you blow up the balloon, tie it in a knot around your finger so it’s still easily untied…and only now and then let a little helium out. Share a small scene from the story, just one scene. Ask for advice about a plotline. Brainstorm with a writer’s group. Benefit from the feedback. With just a teensy release of helium, the balloon will only deflate a bit, not pop. Then all you have to do is add a little more helium, a new plot twist, a surprise you didn’t tell those faithful few about…anything to add in another dose of mystery, another twinge of delight for you, the author…
(Sidenote: another benefit of letting small doses of helium out rather than popping the balloon is the fun of Chipmunk-y voices!)
So I’ve got a balloon. And for the most part, I’ve reigned The Talker in. But the knot’s only around my finger…
Did I mention how I excited I am??
