Experiment Update – Writing in the Dark

I know there are writers who write with very detailed plot outlines. Bravo! I have never been one of them. I lay in between the planner and the unorganized. I describe it best in terms of travel:

“I know where I need to end up, I just haven’t planned out the route.”

My outlines are a little less detailed, which leaves room for characters to guide me and stressful moments as well. It looks a little like this: *Warning: “Experiment Updates will contain spoilers. I can’t get your advice on what should happen if I don’t tell you what I’m thinking. 🙂  )

Plot Outline for Lily & Carson*

Act One: They meet on bad terms. They have bouts of clashing and coming to terms. Mutual attraction and mutual disgust are in the air.

Chapter 1 specific points: An intense first meeting. Lily finds him attractive. Carson finds her to be a problem.

Chapter 2 specific points: Lily meets Carson on neutral grounds. Explains she won’t date Ava without his consent. Carson won’t give it. He brings up Ava’s past. They get into a heated argument.

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End of Act One: They wind up in a compromising situation.

Did you notice the big gap between, “Beginning of Act One” and “Later in Act One”? That’s the space where I have no idea how to get from point A to B, but I keep writing anyway. I find that as long as I have a strong sense of who my characters are – most of the time – they will take me where I need to go.

In my last update I voiced my concern that Carson wanted to have an interlude with Lily and I wasn’t sure if it was the best route to go. Your responses advised me to let him have his way, so I started writing while ignoring my impulse to stop him. He doesn’t devour her in that chapter, but he does plant the seeds as to why he’ll go after Lily and it seems like his full intent will either be made clear at the end of chapter 5 (still not finished) or at the beginning of chapter 6. So, what I thought would be a little subplot is actually turning into the little flake that causes the avalanche.

So volia! The “how” they end up together is solved. I’ve discovered the gap between point A and B, although, it is not the way I preferred it. I would prefer romance and differences being discussed and a sincere change of heart, but this is Carson after all and true to his nature, his arrogance is causing him to play a very dangerous game of the heart.

Thanks for your input everyone! I’m still a little wary about the turn of events, but at least I have a solid route to take. Here’s to Chapter 5!

*I make these “Plot Outlines” for each character’s interaction with another character. I find it’s easier for me to keep track of all of the plots/subplots when I know how each character’s relationship is developing with another character chapter by chapter. So, Lily and Ava have one. Carson and Ava have one. Dominic and Lily, etc.