Following her success last year with
‘It’s Raining Men’, Milly Johnson has again been shortlisted in the Romantic
Comedy category for the 2015 RoNa Awards. At last year’s awards ceremony I was
sitting at the next table to Milly and the excitement when her name was
announced as the winner was, to say the very least, infectious.
I’m delighted to welcome Milly today as
she talks to us about plotting:
I used to think that I would never make a writer because I can’t
plot. I’ve tried it with every book and
If I were to describe what is going on in my head when I write a
book, I would compare it to driving a car in thick fog. I can only see 3
yards in front of me. So I drive to that point, where I can see the next
3 yards in front, and so it goes on. There are scenes I have in my head
but I don’t know when they will happen. I just write and I ‘get a
feeling’ what should come next. This means that I often get a thrill when
something unexpected pops up in my head. For instance, I’ve just finished
book 11 – The Woman Who Gave Up Chocolate – and there was a character in it
that was just a throwaway person, meant to do a job and then disappear. I
didn’t intend that he’d have more of an important role at the start so it was
news to me when I needed a bit of a love interest and he fitted the bill
exactly.
Trust me, before I start every book, I have a great big pad and
try to plot it out, but I’m 11 books and 2 novellas in and it hasn’t happened
yet as I intended, so I’m guessing it won’t now. I’m about to start
writing book 12 so my pad is out and my pen is poised hoping that this time
will be different, but deep down I know it won’t. The only way I can plot
a book is after I’ve written it, by which I mean after the first edit, I go
back, analyse each chapter and make sure that all the action follows a credible
timeline. It usually does, give or take a tweak.
I don’t know how my brain works, but it churns out the book in its
own little way so I won’t be too school-marmy on it. I just hope it
carries on!
Milly, your description reminds me of an artist slapping oils onto a
canvas, seemingly randomly, and ending up with a beautiful painting. I am much
comforted. I try so hard to plot but, with usually just an outline plan in my
head and a few written notes, I start at the beginning and work through to the
end. Your fog analogy is brilliant.
So, it’s March (already! Can you believe it?) and next Monday brings
the RoNas. The RNA certainly knows how to do glitzy and I’m looking forward to
the evening immensely. I wish you every luck with The
Teashop on the Corner. Whatever happens it will be a stunning event and
there is no doubt that ALL those who have been nominated are winners. Have a
great time and thank you for joining me today.
Links:
I cannot tell you how happy I was to hear you say you don't plot, Milly. I started my first novel with just an idea and the ending clear in my mind. Then everyone said I should plot it. I bought a huge notebook, some post it's and a white board and pension I looked at them for a while then went back to the novel and just wrote... You've given me hope!
ReplyDeleteAs you can see, Wendy, I am the same. I can feel Elaine standing at my shoulder telling me to plan and I do try very hard but it doesn't come naturally
DeleteHope abounds and thanks for sharing it. Characters have their own way of making themselves known. In my book (just the one) Basket of Rain a nice character dies (I won't say which, somebody might read it) and my daughter rang me. 'How could you kill ...?' My answer 'I don't know, suddenly her future disappeared, nothing to do with me'. Milly, best wishes for no 12 and no... You get the idea:-) Moya
ReplyDeleteFascinating to read how everyone has a completely different perspective on writing! Natalie you really have a great ability in interviewing and bringing the best out in people. Good luck with all and thank you! fx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely compliment. I can't take any credit this time as Milly gifted her piece to me and all I had to do was add the intro and the end. I do appreciate the comment though
DeleteHope abounds and thanks for sharing it. Characters have their own way of making themselves known. In my book (just the one) Basket of Rain a nice character dies (I won't say which, somebody might read it) and my daughter rang me. 'How could you kill ...?' My answer 'I don't know, suddenly her future disappeared, nothing to do with me'. Milly, best wishes for no 12 and no... You get the idea:-) Moya
ReplyDeleteIt's obvious to me that our characters become real not just in our heads but in their own. Cheeky of them but at least it means you've created something credible. If your character had to die he/she had to die, Moya, and like you said, nothing to do with you.
DeleteThank goodness! I read about so many authors who have everything all plotted out and I just can't do that. I have a basic premise in my head and a few scenes I know I want my characters to get to, but other than that they just seem to go their own sweet way - and I quite enjoy letting it happen!
ReplyDeleteIt's reassuring, isn't it Helen, to know that seat of the pants works as well. Also, it's lovely when our characters take us to delightfully unexpected places. If it delights us, hopefully it will delight our readers as well
ReplyDelete