This is my week to prep. I hate this part of the book writing process because it’s not really writing. It’s like when you’re a kid and you have to clean your room before you can go outside and play. But it’s got to be done. Otherwise the actual writing of the book will take a lot longer in the rewriting stage.
Task 1: The logline. In 25 words or less tell what your story is about. For me, the more high-concept the idea the better (see archives for discussion about High Concept).
This isn’t as easy as it sounds. You’re looking for what makes your story unique. You have to strip away everything until you find the heart of your story–its core. Condense that core idea into one or two sentences and tape it up next to your monitor. This is your story.
Task 2: Central Conflict. Once you have your story reduced to one or two lines, you should have an idea about your central conflict. The heroine wants something, but something is preventing her getting it. That something is conflict. Now choose a hero, who wants that same thing, but for his own, completely opposite reasons, and sparks are going to fly.
To resolve this Central Conflict, one the characters will have to be defeated. But the character who reaches his/her goal, will realize a sudden truth. He/she will have grown during the journey, resolved his/her inner conflict (we’ll talk about Inner Conflict later) which makes possible a satisfying ending.
Yes, I know, there are layers upon layers of conflict in a story, but the one I am concerned with this week is the Central Conflict and its resolution.
Task 3: Main Characters. Thankfully, I know my heroine. She was a character in my book being released October 2006. I know her quirks, and some of her weaknesses. I also know her goal. So, given what I know about the heroine, what sort of man would be her perfect foil? What goal might he have that puts him at odds with her? This man will be my hero. (Note: He is not truly the anagonist. Makes it too hard for the hero and heroine to fall in love.)
Now comes the fun part. How can I tighten the characters goals and conflicts to create a Conflict Lock ? My hero and heroine have both got to believe they want the same thing. They have to need it with life or death passion.
So at the end of the dreaded prep week I will have my logline (core of my story), the central conflict and my hero and heroine. For me, this is enough to begin writing my draft.
So, are you ready to start?
