lost in more than one story

[Caroline]

In my book Meeting Joshua, its basically about a young girl growing up. It starts off when she's simply 16, 17 years old and ends in her late 20s.

I worry that my book is to many things going on at once. When some one asks me "what's Meeting Joshua about?" I never fully know what to say. And when I answer, I feel like it sounds boring. I have no complete explanation of it or I'm not able to explain it with out getting to in depth. There are several "small stories" going on in the one big picture. How do you tell some one who is just looking for a summary that, and keep them interested enough to buy it! I'm starting to not tell people about it, hoping I don't get trapped in trying to explain it, and look rather idiotic. What should I do?

I mean, should I chop it up into three tiny books? Teen years, college/early 20s and then the ending area? The character is changing and growing and moving through the entire story. Will readers get bored with it if it doesn't end eventually? Or is it good that its long, and has more than one thing going on in it? Please help me out here! I need advice!

-Caroline

[J. Scott Milford]

I guess I should have pointed out that the blog I was referring to is here on The Marshall Planet. My blog post is called, "Character Development Through People Reading" My other blog ( acoupleofquitters.com ) is all about establishing new sources of income and quitting your day job. My wife and I write extensively there. If you stop by, be sure to say hello. :-)

As for People Reading (or people watching, depending on your purpose), you can also make observations by paying close attention to relationships between people in movies. It's better in person but still good with movies.

Cheers,
Scott

[Caroline]

Huh, that's cool you made that your mission. I wouldn't consider that weird, it sounds pretty smart. Your wife sounds very lucky. And I can imagine she being an amazing woman, to have you sound so happy in love!

I'll have to check out your blog. It sounds familiar. Observing people is very helpful, I agree. I try my best to do it, but being homeschooled its sometimes hard. The only chance I get to really be around a lot of people is when I go to work on some nights.

Thanks!

[J. Scott Milford]

Thanks, Caroline. Honestly, it's easy to be nice to my wife. :-)

Although, I'm somewhat of an unconventional guy (some may say "odd", others may say, "weird"). When I was in my 20s, I began studying what woman most valued in a "good boyfriend/husband" and made it my mission to become that person. However, I didn't meet my wife for another several years. I reasoned that if this woman (whomever she would eventually be) was important enough to me to spend the rest of my life with, then I owe it to her (and myself) to be the best husband (and friend) that I can be.

Ahh...well, I'll stop here because I could write a book on what I've learned from experience, observation and study about relationships and human behavior.

As for writing, I observe that you're off to a good start with your story. Did you ever read my blog post about People Watching? That activity/technique comes in very handy if you're writing a story that revolves around relationships (and what story doesn't?), specifically stories where the relationship, itself, is almost like the central character.

Happy Writing!
Scott

[Caroline]

Aw, you sounds like a sweet husband. Shows there's hope for the rest of us! People do end up being happily married.

Well I'm glad you said it happened more than once. People make it seem like when you feel that you HAVE to be with that person no matter what. And I'm thinking, uh, no. What if the person is married? Hah. So I'm glad to hear a different opinion about that.

For now though, I'll be sticking to my romance stories.

[Caroline]

Aw, you sounds like a sweet husband. Shows there's hope for the rest of us! People do end up being happily married.

Well I'm glad you said it happened more than once. People make it seem like when you feel that you HAVE to be with that person no matter what. And I'm thinking, uh, no. What if the person is married? Hah. So I'm glad to hear a different opinion about that.

For now though, I'll be sticking to my romance stories.

[J. Scott Milford]

That is the question! I have felt it more than once. :-) I don't believe there is only ONE true person out there for each one of us. I think there may be many who would match perfectly. The objective is to find one of them.

In my first experience, the woman was married so neither one of us did anything about it. I would never have done anything to break their marriage. I respect people too much to intentionally cause that kind of pain for them...even if it means having to experience pain as a result. We remained cordial during our short association with each other and it never progressed beyond that. I valued our time for what it was and I moved on.

Fast forward many years to the present day... I married another such "soul mate" and have been extremely happily married for almost 10 years. In all that time, we have never had a fight, though we have had disagreements and have shared tough experiences together. I love my wife way too much to cause her any pain. Why would anyone say hurtful things to the person they love with all their heart??

Now, instead of feeling that love-at-first-sight sensation upon meeting someone special that very first time...I get to feel it every day of my life. I'm still so very much in love with my wife. (sigh....) :-)

Scott

[Caroline]

I've written to much to go back and start over. I'm not that patient! Hah. But I imagine the marshall system does do wonders. Let me know if it works the way you thought!

Wow. You really have felt love at first sight! I like the way you described it. Now what do you after you feel that? Go after the person or just pass it by? That is the question! Ha! Ha!

Maybe one day I'll truely be able to feel that, true love at first sight.

Caroline

[J. Scott Milford]

Curt,

That's actually an interesting technique (starting with the end). I've used that in short stories and short-short stories. I especially like it in the latter case. Much fun!

Scott

[J. Scott Milford]

Caroline,

Well, even though I've written chapters out of sequence, that was only for one novel (the only one I've ever started). When I wrote them, they were very loose and I wasn't really concerned about how sharp they were. I kept them short and focused on only essential information just to cover my ideas. I knew that by the time I actually got back to them, there may be a lot of changes so I didn't fuss too much.

In hind sight, when I go back to the story, I'm starting all over and I'm using The Marshall Plan. I'll keep the good ideas but using Evan's system will make everything that much better...I believe. Plus, using this system would make it easier to write out of sequence (I suspect).

Ahhh...love. I'm sure it's different for everyone but for me, love at first sight was sudden and completely unexpected. Every atom in my body tingled and a blissfully-numb pressure wrapped around me, ever so gently. I was, at once, solidly grounded to the earth and floating in heaven. And when I took a breath, I breathed in her sublime beauty, her essence...the universe breathed with me, and time stood still. Was I awake or was I dreaming? I still don't know...even today.

I hope you feel that someday, if you haven't already. :-)

Cheers,
Scott

[Caroline]

Wow. I guess I'm a slow thinker. I just thought "you start with the beginning, and make you way to the end." But in the world of writing and imagination, it goes anyway! I like it!