Plots, Character, & Other People’s Ideas

Today’s Guest is Lynne Wells Walding.  Following in her father’s Walding - Lynne Wellsfootsteps as a horologist, Lynne’s first writing endeavor was a self-published, instructional book on clock repair. She went on to write articles for several major slicks on antique clocks. But her teaching, her clock repair business, and her budding writing career ceased when she married a minister.  Upon retirement from more than twenty-five years in the ministry she was able to return to writing. Leave a comment below to enter the drawing for novel #3, Ian’s Song.  Here’s Lynne.

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People often ask, “How do you get ideas for plots and characters?”.

Truthfully, I don’t get ideas. They jump on me and wrestle me to the ground. Or they drift past like autumn leaves. The trick lies in recognizing them as they flutter by. Snatching them before they sink to the ground to be forever forgotten.

Some folks never write their first novel because they’re waiting to develop the entire story before they begin. However, if the whole plot is already nailed down, you’ll have to ignore those pesky plot twists that vie for your attention in the middle of the night.

I know the beginning and the end (or a reasonable facsimile thereof) of each novel I begin. As I progress, the characters develop unique personalities. It’s my job to guide them in the right direction. But, I never know when one of them will lead me down a road that isn’t on my map. And I find myself scrambling to keep up. As a result I may have to relinquish a good idea to utilize a better one.

Those mischievous characters? They’re fashioned from people I know. I like melding several people into one. Blending personalities to come up with a really unique individual.

And the plot? Consider embellishing the seed of a true story and taking circumstances a different direction. What if I’d bucked that controlling boyfriend and taken the flight attendant position instead of the mundane bookkeeping job? On my first flight the pilot passes out and the co-pilot panics!

A wisp of truth generously sprinkled with imagination is more believable than pure fiction. And more poignant than pure truth.

For me, story ideas must be conceived in my mind. Well-meaning people often volunteer ideas for a plot. Later, they’ll inquire, “When are you going to write the story I gave you?”

My answer: “It’s a good story. You write it. Stories conceived in your mind, can’t be birthed by mine.”

Walding-3. IS - front coverThe seed for my debut novel was planted deep, years ago, in a song I wrote. The lyrics proclaimed, “I’ve loved you all my life. I want you for my wife. No other love will ever do.” Decades later the seedling broke through the soil of my mind, manifesting itself as a poignant Christian love story.

Why has he loved her all his life without fulfillment?”

The result was Pastor McAlester’s Bride. Witt, a faithful man of God, and the woman he’s always loved literally run into each other after many years separation. Problem. Casey’s married . . . to a pastor. And in fear for her life.

Witt wants only to love and protect her. A married woman.

Without displeasing God.

Impossible!

But God has a surprise up His holy sleeve.

 

Jim, thanks for this opportunity to speak to your followers. It’s such a pleasure.

Watch for her fourth novel, The Trinity Quilts, in October. Check her website at lynnewellswalding.com.

AND, leave a comment for a chance to receive Ian’s Song –  FREE.  Thanks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13 thoughts on “Plots, Character, & Other People’s Ideas

  1. Hi Lynne. I enjoyed reading your post on this subject. I am new to writing Fiction in fact new to Fiction. My writing thus far has been what is described as ‘Academic’. I don’t think that I’d have trouble once I began, but in my case, I am having trouble ‘knowing’ what the beginning is. I’m working hard through my readings and what I am learning from fellow ACFW posts to come to the point of writing that first word, sentence, paragraph, page. Wish me luck. Take care.

    • Thanks so much for dropping by, Mary. Don’t know if this will help – or even if it would be considered “professional” advice, but I’ve found if I just sit down in front of my computer and start writing what comes to mind regarding my proposed plot, soon my mind is going faster than my fingers can keep up. This may not end up being your actual “beginning.” You’ll be doing re-writing as a part of the process. I highly advise hiring an editor, especially since you’re new to this style of writing. He or she will help you to figure out your best opening line . . . page . . . chapter. Yep, I’ve moved chapters around to in order to start with the best “hook.”

      I do wish you luck . . . and blessings.

      Lynne

  2. Thank YOU, Jim for the opportunity to appear on your blog. Hope to meet you some day, since we’re both East Texans. And btw, I’ve been enjoying following your blog since we “met” a few months ago. Blessings to you and yours, Lynne.

  3. Terrific post, Lynne. I love finding out how people come to the writing game, and I had to smile at the mention of the flight attendant job. I passed up an opportunity because of a boyfriend – oh how silly we were in our youth. LOL Reading your post, I wasn’t sure if you were the silly one or a character you envisioned, but either way, it rang true.

    Thanks for hosting her, Jim.

  4. My path to developing a story takes a similar irection – very much character driven. And it’s correct that we can’t write another person’s story. We can only write the stories we are given.

    • So true, Gay. I’m afraid if I ever did try to write someone else’s story, they’d get mad at me (LOL) because I’d probably change course somewhere along the way. Thanks for commenting. Blessings, Lynne

    • Thanks, Vickie. Appreciate your dropping by and leaving a comment. Please do “check them out” and I hope you enjoy the read. Wishing you the best with your writing as well. Blessings, Lynne

  5. Thanks, Lynne, for some good advice. We’ve all had someone, with very good intentions, offer us a good story to write. Your advice on how to deal with it is helpful.

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