One of my favorite bloggers, mywitherhins, shared a fantastic idea wherein a writer creates a love list in regards to a work in progress, (which originated from Stephanie Perkins on Natalie Whipple’s blog). Β The practice is meant to revitalize creativity for the project, while also helping to keep the focus on what is working in the story. Essentially, the Love List is a collection of everything a writer loves about a WIP, whether it be characters, setting, the writing process, or anything that gives a reason to keep writing! Β This is the ultimate individual motivator that will give your muse a supreme kick in the butt!
For the better part of this year, I’ve been working on my second novel. Β The first draft is near completion (we’re talking one chapter shy of the end), but a slight plot change I made a couple chapters ago has put a kink in the original ending I had planned. Β My muse and I are working overtime to solve the problem, which unfortunately doesn’t show much in terms of overall word count. Β A lack of physical progress has left me a little discouraged,Β but I have a feeling the Love List will put me back on track.
Novel #2 Love List
1) Experimental Beginning – The first sentence of Novel #2 came from an experimental free write. I liked what was happening so much, I kept writing. Β The story came flying out of me as if it had been there all along and it didn’t take long for the entire framework to appear in my head. Β I remember staying up until 2 a.m. on a work night to finish the basic layout. Β I was that excited about it and I still am!
2) Fantasy Genre – I’ve read fantasy all my life, but never thought to write my own fantasy stories. Novel #2 created the opportunity to explore this genre and I love it!
3) Out of My Comfort Zone – Everything about the story, genre, and characters has me thinking outside the box. Β Nothing about this book falls into my usual realm of writing. Β It’s a breath of fresh air for me every time I sit down to write.
4) Main Character #1 – Amanda. Β She’s tough, funky, and fiercely independent. She’s a 17-year-old who graduated high school early in order to take care of her invalid mother. Β She loves the Beatles and Charlotte BrontΓ«.
5) Main Character #2 – Ian. He’s calm, pensive, and compassionate. He has a secret that holds him back from everything he wants, including Amanda. He’s tall and lanky with sandy blonde hair and always wears a worn out pair of leather flip-flops.
6) The Setting – The bulk of the story takes place in Phoenix, AZ in the summer. Β The heat plays a strong role in the story in terms of imagery and plot development.
7) The Soundtrack – As with everything I write, I have a playlist for my characters and the storyline. It includes everything from new age to rock and covers the novel from beginning to end. Some artists include: Delerium, Mysteria, Muse, Junip, Death Cab for Cutie, Owl City, Yanni, and The Beatles. Β As I jump into the final scenes, Muse’s “Map of Problematique” plays on a continuous loop:
8) Imagination Meets Mythology – I’ve created a unique world that has roots in known mythologies. Β The history teacher in me reveled in the idea of reinventing old myths into something entirely new.
9) New Words – The world and mythology I’ve created called for the invention of new words. Β It’s been beyond fun to come up with original terms to describe things that only exist in my story.
10) First person POV – I made the decision to write in first person from Amanda’s point of view, even though I’d never written anything in first person. Β In addition, I took a bigger risk in opting to write in present tense as a means to highlight a major theme of the novel.
11) The Twist at the End – I never even saw it coming until the character told me. The revelation left me reeling for days. Β It’s a cliffhanger, folks!
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Whether you are writing a novel, short story, picture book, or poem try creating a Love List to keep your inspiration flowing!
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c.b.w. 2012
The love list is a great idea and once again I am inspired by your productivity. Your muse is keeping you going strong. Keep the faith!
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I literally could not wait to get to the bookstore tonight, so I could write. π
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I love this post! I need to make a love list for my stories. π Your story sounds so interesting. I will definitely add it to my TBR list when it’s published. π
I’m also making the leap into first person in my dystopian that’s still (mostly) in the plotting stage. Hope I can do it justice…
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I plan on taking this one as far as it will go. Whether it be self-publishing or a more traditional route. I want people to read this novel! π
Good luck with first person! Enjoy the challenge and have fun with it! I found it put me in the character’s head with much more intensity. π
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Ooh, sounds terrific! I made love lists for two of my manuscripts last week, too. It was such a fun exercise. Good luck on your final chapter! So exciting!
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I’m so glad you had fun with this idea, too. I can’t believe how much it revitalized my love for this project. π
Thanks for the well wishes!
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what a great list and lovely peak into your WIP. I can certainly see why you are excited about this! wow.
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I’m beyond excited to finish this novel! Even though the end has changed a bit, the last line I dreamed up at the very beginning is still in place. π
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This is a great idea! I think I’m gonna make one of my own :p
Amanda sounds really interesting! She makes me wanna read the book π Good luck!
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Yay! I hope it does wonderful things for your muse! π
I’m ecstatic to hear someone other than myself finds Amanda interesting. I just love her and I hope others do, too, when they read her story. π
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No wonder you are so excited about this work. Your love list is inticing in itself. This sounds like a “must read.”
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Thanks! π
It’s been a passion project for a while now. π
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What a great idea! I’ve always hit a “lull” about 3/4 of the way through my WIP. Once I push past that, then things gain speed until the end. This is another tool for me to get over that hump. Thanks for sharing!
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It does wonders for the “almost done manuscript blues.” π
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I love the idea of a love list. It is something I have used more than once, though I prefer to call it “Things Cool”…you know, because I’m a man and love is too strong of a word for a man to ever use in reference to anything other than family, friends when you’re drunk, and our children. π I’m kidding and I hope you realise that.
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I totally get it. Lol! π
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I can’t wait to see what you’ve written! Love YA fantasy!! Sounds like you’ve given yourself a challenge and you’re stepping up to the plate. I love this exercise. I fell in love with my novel all over again, and it sounds like you’ve re-discovered your enthusiasm for your WIP, too. Good deal! Best of luck to you.
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I’m working on it right now and I can’t believe how much this exercise has invigorated my determination to finish it! π
Best of luck to you as well! Your WIP sounds incredible! π
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Im hoping that my next WIP will be one I love π
Xx
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I hope so too! Keep writing! π
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I love this idea! It sounds like you certainly have lots to love about your WIP! I’m definitely going to try this. : )
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Ever since I made this list, I can’t stop thinking about my WIP. I am literally carving huge chunks out of my day to work on it. π Have fun making your Love List!
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I love the love list idea. I am going to do one for a piece of music that is being a challenge to play at a performance tempo. Such a great idea for ongoing inspiration.
Just reading this much about your second novel has me very intrigued and wanting to read it!
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What a wonderful way to work through a challenging piece of music. I hope you post your list! π
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I am so glad you found the Love List helpful. Your novel #2 sounds intriguing and I’m glad your muse inspired a completely different ending than you’d originally considered. π
(Sorry I’ve been a little negligent in my blog reading. I’ve been off on a historical retreat, of sorts.)
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Thank you so much for the inspiration for this post. Creating this list was a remarkable experience that got me and my muse excited about my WIP once again.
(I’m a little behind myself! Lol!)
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