The part of writing that has always been the most challenging for me is plotting. Much easier and more fun is figuring out who my characters are, but I find I have to really know them before I can get to the plotting; for me, the plot arises out of the characters.
I tend to write and rewrite my first chapter or two, until I feel I know the main characters intimately. I enjoy this process—it’s like getting to know new friends.
Then comes the harder part.
In order to move my characters forward, I need to ask myself What if? What if John were to fall in love with Marisol? Does that fit with the kind of character he is? If that happened, what would Marisol’s response be? I follow this line of questioning to see if there might be a story arc in it. If the questions lead to a dead end, or to a story that seems too clichéd, I have to go back to the beginning and ask a different question.
I don’t write outlines—I don’t like planning everything to that extent. I think the element of surprise comes into a book when the author is also surprised. I do, however, look ahead a few chapters to see where the story is headed. Of course, sometimes I’m headed in one direction and suddenly a character will say, "No, that’s not the way I want to go!" Usually the character knows more than I do and I have to back up and listen.
I almost never know just what the ending of the book will be, but I do know what it will feel like. I know some issues will need to be resolved (and some probably won’t be). I know that my main character will grow and change. And I know that I want to leave my readers feeling hopeful.
