Out! Damned Knot!
Captain Hellion watched intently as several of the new hotties worked to see the mainsail secured. After wasting the morning trying to teach them how to raise the main topgallant and the main topsail, she was close to a breaking point.
Knots kept falling apart. Three of the hotties had to fished from the sea after a particularly memorable attempt to secure a sail while balanced on a yardarm had resulted in a spectacular fall of all three to the water. Chance had saved the day by distracting the Kraken, tossing a dozen double stuffed flaming twinkies over the starboard. Saving the lovely lads from being devoured.
The mainsail effort was actually going well.
For about twenty seconds.
As a line began to spin lose, one of them grabbed for the belaying pin holding it firm, only to be flung into the air as a gust of wind caught the billowing sail. A second gorgeous hunk tried to catch his friend and they both tumbled to the deck. The flapping sail broke free and the ship began to heel to one side, the wind then spun the boom toward the captain, who ducked just in time to keep from being brained.
Jack watched all of this chaos from the safety of the steps leading to the sterncastle. Chance sat next to him. As Jack lifted his tankard of rum, Chance sighed. “You ought to get up to the wheel and soothe her temper. I’ll fix her another TFU.”
“TFU? New drink? What’s it stand for?” Jack raised his elegant eyebrows at the bartender as she stood up. One hand rubbed at her ass as she straightened.
“Still itching?” He smirked.
“Totally f*cked up, Jack. You think I wouldn’t find a mirror on the ship? Thank you so much for the foul tattoo… You skum sucking scurrilous seaslug,” Chance congenially insulted the grinning pirate as she headed for the bar.
Jack snickered, muttering about how the bartender deserved it, then gallantly approached Hellion, offering to help out. 
Chance wiped her bar and began mixing the new drink. Sometimes things don’t work out like you expect them. She certainly didn’t expect a foul mouthed tattoo on her ass, but she should have known Jack would punish her in some fashion. But it was worth it to bring a grin to Captain Hellion. Facing the Pirate Lords with a petition had taken nerve, but enough drink saw it through. And now the spiffy certificate hung in the captain’s cabin. The tattoo itched, but she kept it covered, mostly. So she weren’t holding a grudge. Much.
She was just glad to see Jack helping out her Captain. She could sympathize with Captain Hellion.
Yes, sometimes things get tangled, no matter what you do. Like lines on a ship, I have a tangle mess in my newest WIP.
I admit it, I’ve lost control of my recent MS. I’ve cast so many lines, set so many knots, put up so much sail…I’ve lost control of this ship.
I suffered some in the doldrums, but made port and drowned my sorrows in staying drunk instead of continuing on the voyage. But I finally sobered up and took up the story again, boarded my ship and set some small sail, caught some light winds. Little by little, I been on course toward an ending.
I was on course toward an ending.
And now I’m stuck. Nearly 70,000 words and I need a way to cut through the knot I’ve made and get to the big X on the map. I’m a pantser, perhaps I deserve this mess. (And the tattoo dear Jack saw on my ass with is talented little needle. Bastard.)
*Chance reaches to her backside and idle scratches the nearly healed bit of artwork. Handing the new drink to Sin, she returns to contemplating her particular bundle of tangled lines and assorted knots.
I have four characters. The main H/H and their story. I know what I want to see happen. Ivy is going to discover the machinations of her nemesis, see them exposed and her enemy is going down. Ivy admits to the love she feels for Duran…blah, blah, blah. It will be great.
(Oh, yeah, the nemesis’ main lieutenant has ambitions of his own, and the disciplinarians in charge of the valley have to finish Ivy’s trial, and… Sigh.)
Her daughter, Helen will be cured of her rapidly aging malady. Emmett will forge a peace with the holy rollers so that he and Helen can return to their infant son and blah, blah, blah. Yes, brilliant.
(If the holy rollers don’t attempt to kidnap Helen to force Emmett to harvest his talent for prophecy to sign up converts first while Helen’s ability to pinpoint fertile women isn’t taken advantage of in a world where children are rare… Sigh.)
Now, how to do this… I have things so tangled up. Everyone is in place, I have four days to see these conclusions reached in The Changed World…and I don’t know how to get there. (Four book days, crew. I set this deadline with a plot device, so I want to live by it.)
I really like this story. I like the setting, I like the characters, I like the story. I like my ending!
*snarl!
I just can’t figure out how to get there with any grace or élan.
Anyone else ever been in this predicament? Care to share how you broke through the tangled knot? Slice it? Pick it out slow but steady? (I have no patience, sigh.) I am desperate for some constructive suggestions. Or sympathy. I can do both.
Ever read a book where it’s obvious a similar situation occurred? And was handled with beauty? Or turned out ugly?
And if you don’t blather at me, I’m going to just scribble on with the story of Chance’s tattoo. So, ye be warned! (Ya know I’ll blather anyway, but without a focus, it’s gonna be about the tattoo…)
Books by the Crew
46 comments:
I'm a plantser. I end up with tons of knots in the first draft so I totally know what you're blathering about.
I recently decided to make some changes to a manuscript that I've spent entirely way too much time on. And I came across a huge knot. A knot that very well could have stopped the story all together. I started to play the 'what if' game. One thing, if you're going to untie the knot sometimes you have to be willing to give up a few lines. Just cut them completely and replace them with unfrayed, tighter ones.
Good luck!
Oh, I'm sure I've been in your predictament. I don't remember how I got out of it--or even if I did--but I do have something rather Zen for you to contemplate:
Every problem contains the seed of its own solution.
If you're having problems in how to solve your story, figure out the problem of the story, find the seed, and get your solution. I always think a writer needs to know how the story is supposed to end so you can write to it. It doesn't matter if you don't know the fine details between problem and the ending, but it's important you know the ending so you know what you're writing towards. Sort of like having a point a and point b on a map--you need a point b or you're just going to be wandering around like a blessed idiot.
Arrr, I be willin' ta set free some a' me line. I can do that... Long as I can figure out what ta cut without losin' me anchor. I can see me facin' the reality a' startin' at the beginnin' and setting' free some a' me convolute. It jus' be so frustratin'! But glad ta hear I ain't the only one ta write meself inta a tangle!
Have a Damned Knot, Renee!
Yer a wise one, Cap'n Hel. And ya know the wisdom a' knowin' where yer headed. I got that X in mind. Got the map in front a' me. Jus' gots too many ways' ta gets there...and not sure what be best. Or in what order ta tend ta them.
I feel like me compass is spinnin'! Or is it the sun and stars? Mayhaps I could 'borrow' Jack's magic compass? ;)
Terrio be 'elpin' me out on this one, but the tangle itself be so discouragin'...
I gots ta ponder the concept a' the seed a' me story...
Wow, Hells. That is totally Zen. Every problem contains the seed of its own solution.
I think that kinda sums up what I was going to suggest. When I run into a snag, I just push push push. I think about it all the time, I write around in circles. I rewrite, I reread, I pick and pick. Eventually I have some sort of crystallizing moment where I figure out what has to happen.
I think it might be a bit easier for me as I plot out what I want to happen in the plot. But I still get tangled up at times. Mostly because even with the "plot" the character's interactions don't come out until I'm writing.
This past week I've been dealing with that post-first-sexual-experience. Everything changes in the relationship for one character but not the other. But, I just figured that out. After I'd written 5K about it. So now I've got to go back and line my characters' feelings up right.
It'll work itself out, Chance. And if it doesn't, you can hit it again in revisions.
I can't take credit for the Zen. I got it off a little "Amazon seed"-mebob I bought at Shedd Aquarium on my Chicago trip. But when I saw the quotation, I had to buy the seed thingie (even if it is ridiculous to buy a buckeye-looking thing that has a quotation stamped on it) because I knew it was the perfect quotation for when you're stuck writing.
As for having a hundred ways to get to X, there was a brainstorming technique I enjoyed (I think Hal gave it to us from her writing class), where you listed like the first 20 things you can think of that can happen. The first five are the obvious choices. Skip those. The last five are crazy, ridiculous choices because you've run out of things to do. And the 10 in the middle are actually quite possible--you've narrowed your choices enough that you can consider which one(s) would offer the best character growth you want/need to show right now.
I'm like Renee, I'm a pantser. So when my first draft is finished, I will have to go back through it and make sure all my lines and arcs are solid. But when I get stuck in a knot, I just create something different. Like killing someone. Or throwing in a new character you wouldn't see coming. That's how I solve everything. LOL
*LOL* I always like that bit of writing advice: "When you're stuck, just have someone come through the door and shoot them." WTH?
Actually I did that...it worked out quite well, really.
See! It's a spectacular rule of thumb to follow!
Sin, my dear, Renee says she's a pLantser. Which means she does plot some. Which you do too, but we won't push the issue. :)
Since I've already given Chancey my feedback on these, I'll refrain in here. But I'm loving this seed bit. Anything that makes me see or think about something from a different angle is good.
I'm a big fan of the "what if...?" stuff and I think that ties in with the 20 questions. Like "What if the Helen and Emmett's baby carries the answer for their resolution?" (Hey, I just came up with that. Is that an option?)
Okay, so where is the line between being a pantser and a plotser?
Good question. (And could be a blog topic all its own I'm guessing.) I think, and this is a total guess, plantsers plot very and pants a lot while plotsers plot more than they pants.
But again, that's just my guess.
Sin, ya thinks I should set someone on fire... Hmmm. Might be a nice way fer the big bad ta finally leave the book...
Where this final four day set up takes place, any overt act of violence will kill the instigator. Jus' drop 'em dead. So...all me machinations gots ta be wit' trickery...
I thought Renee's was a typo! Plantser, eh? It be a hybrid...
Hel - I love that ya bought a useless bit a tourist crap 'cause ya liked what it had ta say. I do that!
Marnee - Aye, I can do the pushin'... I think I jus' be discouraged. Now, I been known ta procrastinate toward the end of a WIP...simple because I like me world and ain't ready ta bid good bye.
This be a very Chance technique a' thing.
Not this time. I want ta do this world proud. Now, could be I'm playin' the delay game because once I write fini at end I must traipse back through the MS and fix the places I rushed through.
Yes, my name is 2nd Chance and I'm a chronic avoider.
I gots the solutions fer what ta do...how ta get me characters ta the big X on the chart. I gots too many ways fer them ta gets there!
I'm close ta the how... I think I be sufferin' a lack a' confidence in doin' it wit' anythin' that will look nice.
Ya know how sometimes, yer writin' away and it be so smooth, so loverly, ya just slide inta home place and lay there, lookin' up at the fans, cheering and ya takes a big breath and know this were purty?
That's not where I am.
"...plantsers plot very and pants a lot while plotsers plot more than they pants."
Yer writing limericks?
I'd like ta buy a noun!
What ya been drinkin', Terrio? And can I have some?
Now, Helen and Emmett's baby be far, far away. Safe and away from bein' used as a plot device. Other than most a' the gathering think Ivy killed the baby. (She brings out the best in folks, ya know!)
2nd: perfection is unattainable. Even Spock will tell you that. (Not for him of course, but for humans.) Just write the best book you can but accept it's never going to be exactly as you imagined it in your head.
But the baby could be the KEY. You can't rule this out.
LITTLE. Plantser plot very LITTLE. Sheesh.
Maybe someone spiked my Bliss chocolates while I was out yesterday.
Sigh. I ain't shootin' fer perfection, Cap'n, jus' lookin' fer a bit better than ugly.
And ya gots a point, Ter. Helen's even havin' the baby...it were a miracle. I could always tie it inta her discovery of her real 'curse' ... bein' able to foretell when another women be fertile...that could play inta things... Hmmmmm!
Spiked Bliss chocolate sounds sooooo good!
2nd: Yeah you are shooting for perfection. You can call it what you want, but it's what you're doing. *LOL*
I would hope we're all shooting for perfection. I just also hope we all know we won't ever get there. LOL!
I don't think shooting for perfection is a bad thing unless it keeps you from putting stuff down on paper and carrying on.
Huh. Think ya knows me, do ya!?
'Course I want perfection, but I don't be expectin' it. Me style be more slash and burn...ain't purty but it gets it done.
I've had a few perfect places...a word or two that I knew were perfect...
This is an interesting chain for me to follow - since I'm not to this point yet I'm taking notes!
So...yer cheatin'! Lookin' ta head off the headache afore ya face it. Very sneaky.
I like it.
For some reason someone taking notes off of our comments always strikes me funny.
Shhhh! She thinks it will help!
My answer to plot knots is a fabulous sex scene. One that will melt the ship mast, and boil the rum:)
yes - I'm taking notes - mental ones! It's helping me create the illusion that I'm prepared for the chaos ahead! Don't ruin the fantasy for me!
Boil the rum...wow! Lisa, nice idea... Some massive never-going-to-see-again sex.
Sabrina - Are ya writin' write now? Did ya write in Ireland? And are you goin' ta reply to me e-mail?
Chance, I don't know if it applies to your problem, but when I found myself in a similar situation, a writer friend suggested that it was because I didn't want to do what I knew, at least subconsciously, I needed to do to my characters. Once I decided she was right and did what I was fighting against doing, my problem was solved. Well, that particular problem anyway.
Chance - I didn't write in Ireland - I was running around like mad! I was writing before I left and hope to start up again this weekend.
I'll be answering your emial :) I havne't had a chance to yet - the work overlords decided to hand me a new project an hour after I got back yesterday and guess what? It's due before 5 today!
Loki here. Renee's muse. Yeah, that's me the sheep grazing somewhere in the Kansas Plains.
First let me say, Renee thinks she's a planster. I'm not sure what to call her writing process, but there isn't any plotting to it. Okay, she plots but never sticks to the plot.
Second, you have to watch out for her hybrid words. Can you tell she makes things up as she goes along?
Hellie, I'm liking the Zenly seeds. But I'm afraid Renee prefers to shoot things. Why, she's already had her heroine shoot a man that she thought was the villain but turns out to be the hero, then she shot the villain. Believe it or not she couldn't make her heroine shoot a horse in dire need of shooting. Writers, I tell you, thems some messed up creatures.
Righty, then, back to my grazing.
Well, Sin balances out Renne, Loki. She shoots everyone.
It be a possibility, Janga. I be avoidin' the finish line fer a reason... I gots ta think about that...
Hm, this is true. I shoot everyone and then sometimes I ask the questions later but mostly I just leave them to die.
Sabrina - Don't you love how these people give us paychecks and then expect us to *do* something for them?
Loki - I wouldn't have made her shoot the horse either. Just sayin'. And we all make stuff up. It's called being writers. LOL!
Janga has a good point. Perhaps you're trying too hard to have a happy ending for everyone. Maybe someone doesn't get that happy ending?
And we love ya fer it, Sin.
I do want a happy ending fer all four a my characters... But I'm open ta screwin' around wit' 'em...
Sin, hon, HEA. I know you've heard of this. Think butterflies and daisies.
I'd like to see them all happy too, just throwing something out there. I can't think of which one I'd let end not as well. Maybe Ivy as she's the one who has been through the most.
"I know, I know" Lady Jane says, waving her hanky to get Chances attention again! "Just let them have more sex, YES! thats it, let all your characters have more sex." Well you wanted an opinion, When I don't know what to do they just end up in bed and then wala, something creative comes to me! "G"
Hi everyone! Hope you had a great week and have a wonderful weekend!!
Bye now! Think about it Chance you know a little...... hmmmmm
I think Jane hit the bar early this morning...
Valid option. Sex does complicate things almost more than shooting someone does.
If you're not going to re-write the book then I think that Lisa, Jane and Terri have the seed of the solution with:
My answer to plot knots is a fabulous sex scene. One that will melt the ship mast, and boil the rum.
“Just let them have more sex, YES! thats it, let all your characters have more sex.” Well you wanted an opinion, When I don’t know what to do they just end up in bed and then wala, something creative comes to me!
Valid option. Sex does complicate things almost more than shooting someone does.
In other words use a pair of scissors to slice through. Fab sex, natural disaster, air crash, or just throw a few to the sharks as Sin would say.
Of course, from a scientific perspective we know that knots arise from floating loose ends so make sure your extremities are well anchored and you will avoid the problem in the first place. Thats my advice. :lol:
Knots arise from floating loose ends? I did not know that. Makes sense...but not much use ta me right now, Q.
Now, well anchored extremities sounds like sex again.
Ya know, ya would think Jane-o be writin' red hot erotica... Nope. But she does write good hot sex in her stuff. And she has an erotica she's hopin' ta publish.And an editor interested in it! But it ain't her dream ta be an erotica author.
Life ain't fair. One a' me dreams is ta be a well known erotica author. But I don't think I gots it in me...
I know! Practice, practice, practice! I jus' gots ta practice more at anchoring me extremities!
Sum-mer-ti-i-i-i-i-i-ime...and the living is easy...
Everyone's gone home but me... Shall I blather 'bout the famous tattoo? Or save that fer another day... Hmmmm!
Actually got some good ideas taday... I think, in the future, I'm gonna 'ave ta try some plottin'. Not a lot, but everytime I weave in some complication, I gots ta figure out right then how I'm gonna resolve it.
That be part a' what be trippin' me up right now! Sigh.
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