Welcome to Writers Talkback. If you are a new user, your account will have to be approved manually to prevent spam. Please bear with us in the meantime
Stories that go their own way - should we intervene ?
I have about 1600 words of a short story written that I did in 2 sessions, just before Christmas. Things happened and I have just looked back on it with the intention of completing it, but realise that the direction has changed completely from what I originally intended. I have no idea what the ending could be, and wondered if anyone has felt this and continued to produce a good story.
It doesn't seem to be my "style" either, so maybe I have been having another one of those "automatic writing" type moments !
Comments
Sometimes a character can take over the story and then you have to intervene.
Does that ever get you out of trouble, Marc?
Perhaps your characters are trying to tell/show you something worthy of investigation.
When characters take control it is a sign that the story is developing into a reality. It may not be the plot first considered but could produce an enviable conclusion.
Me too. I have read that provided it doesn't wreck the logic of your story, it should be OK. Sometimes you have to stand back and consider whether your secondary characters are taking over. If so, are they confusing the reader and muddying everything? Is it distracting from the main story arc? If it is then you might have to rework things, otherwise go for it. If it's a better story than your original one, well even better, go for it again. Good luck.
--- F I G H T!
when I was in Syria I was soon trying to get back to the UK too, Marc.
B****y cold in winter, that place !
I have read the story through a few more times now and still have no idea of the ending but am going to let it go somewhere :)