The Roller Coaster

Welcome, one and all to the wonderful roller coaster ride of being a writer. Please ensure the safety bar is locked and please keep your arms inside the cart at all times. Here we goooo....

The Climb:

Now you're locked into the cart and as much as you might be second-guessing your choice you've got no where to go but up. Welcome to the wonder that is trying to write that first draft. You've got the idea. You've got a number of fascinating characters. Now write it. Easier said than done, isn't it? And just when you think you've got a handle on the beast along comes...

The First Big Drop:

This is when you realize what you've written is dry and unimaginative. You note, with rising horror, the number of cliches you've employed and your fondness for re-using and re-using the same words. This the time to bless your delete key and start again because here comes...

The Next Big Climb:

Now you're cookin' with gas. The words are flowing nicely and characters are coming alive. Your word count is climbing higher. But are you prepared for...

The 360 Degree Loop:

The unexpected has occurred. Some of your characters or one of the precious creatures (you invented them, there's no one else to blame) suddenly insists on saying something or doing something you hadn't planned. It's somewhat un-nerving the first time it happens, but I've gotten used to it. I've realized that the character is right, nine times out of ten. I hold onto the safety bar and go with it. Face it, you really don't have a choice.

Speeding Down to the Finish:

Every writer can experience the wonderful feeling of re-reading their work and being amazed that they wrote it. Moments like that make you feel as if you could climb Mount Everest. If I could bottle and sell that feeling I would.

The ironic part of this roller coaster ride is that it's never-ending. There's always another climb ahead or another turn or twist. Enjoy the ride, my friends. I think it's far more fun to be on the roller coaster than standing safely on the ground.

Donna Lea Simpson of Cozy Murder Mysteries kindly asked me to write a guest post about the differences between writing murder mystery games and mystery novels. I'm over there today; please drop by !