Follow your writer's instincts - to a point

I think a lot of writing is done subconsciously. While you’re hammering out on the keyboard the words that make your story happen, your subconscious is at work, leading you (hopefully) in the right direction.

I was recently working on my novel-manuscript-in-progress (I don’t feel comfortable calling it a “novel” until it’s a little farther along) and that notion was brought home to me. Without going into the plot (which I never share with anyone until the thing’s done), I’ll just say that I started with a scene in which my main character was doing something, well, characteristic. I wasn’t sure why I wanted to start with this scene, especially since it put off the real start of the story until the second chapter, but it just felt right.

Now, 60K+ words into it, I’m outlining the ending. And my ending scene turned out to be a perfect (I hope) bookend for that first scene.

I don’t believe that is a coincidence. I believe it was all decided in my subconscious, by my instincts, before I got nearly to the end.

I can’t say that, in my case, the instincts are writer’s instincts, but something honed from the many novels I’ve read. I’ve certainly read a whole lot more of them (thousands, probably) than I’ve written (two novel-wanna-be’s).

I think instinct is how developing a theme for your novel happens, too. You know “themes.” It was one of those nightmare terms high school English teachers liked to torment their students with. “Write a short essay on the theme of ‘Grapes of Wrath’.” That kind of thing.

But I think most, if not all, successful novels have themes. They may not be overt, but they’re there. And, they may not be something the writer planned from the beginning, but the writer’s subconscious helpfully supplied while the book was being written.

Just keep in mind that not every idea you come up with, or every word you pen, is your instinct at work. I also believe that, if you go with the first thing that pops into your head, you may have a common, predictable idea.

So if you think you know where your novel is going, if you think some of those plot twists popped into your head a little too easily, brainstorm for the unpredictable, for the surprising. Then use your instincts and go with what feels right for your characters and your plot.