In my last post I mentioned that one of the most valuable things to have is a great writing buddy. Well that works both ways. I have been priviledged to read some of the first drafts of a novel that one of my friends is writing. I use the word "friend" and yet we have never met, yet. However, it is amazing how well you can get to know someone just through writing. Can't wait to actally meet up in a few weeks.
Mel is writing a contemporary romantic novel and it is shaping up to be a fabulous read. It has all the essentials, a female lead who has a great character and a fabulously heroic Royal Marine as the leading man. The plot is great, intricately woven family history, drama and comedy, as well as the growing romance. But what is interesting for me is to see how other people work. Usually we only see a novel once it is fully formed. So seeing one develop, that is not your own, is quite amazing.
In some ways Mel works in the same way as me; that is, she knows where the story is going, and all the different elements that will be included along the way. But even so, it is amusing to see how a well planned work can change because of the characters. As they develop it becomes necessary to tweak the plot to accommodate their behaviour. It is also amusing to see how other people make the same typos, and I can see how they happen. The high speed typing that takes place when you are on a roll, and you simply cannot type quickly enough to get the words out onto the screen, and there just isn't time enough to spell check.
I am so glad I'm not the only one like that.
So all you budding writers, get yourself a writing buddy, you will learn a lot about your own writing style simply by seeing how others work too.
