So yesterday I’m sitting at the kitchen table, contemplating going back to college. I do this occasionally, when the fact that I didn’t finish my degree starts bugging me or I’m convinced I am a writing hack and it’s only a matter of time before the reading public catches on. Yesterday, I was lucky, it was a bit of both. *wg*
On the table, I had notebooks spread out in front of me. The pages had everything on them from book idea scribbles to the redesign of my website. I was tapping a pen on my palm, trying to decide what my major would be in college, when the entire second Tor book fell out of my head and onto the page. Mind you, up until this point, I only had bits and pieces of the story. I wasn’t sure exactly what was going to happen. All I can figure is that I scared the living crap out of my muse with the threat of returning to school. LMAO! That’s a new approach to writing that I hadn’t tried before. Snort!
The real odd thing about this event is that the more I wrote, the more frightened/overwhelmed I became. There are so MANY plot threads running through this second book. I have no idea how I’m going to keep them all straight, even with writing them down. Plot-wise this is the most ambitious project I’ve ever taken on. I admit I’m scared. Can I pull this off? Will readers enjoy a book this plot heavy, when the focus isn’t on building the romance? I don’t know, but I have to write the book the way that I see it. I’m just praying it doesn’t turn out to be 500 pages long.
Today, I’m going to expand each point that I wrote into one paragraph each. I hope that by the time I finish I’ll have a better idea of the layout of the book. Currently, it’s only missing a few minor pieces and needs a couple of clarifications. I plan to get that finished, then start writing on Monday. I’m going to use the Fast Draft method so that I can get the first draft of the book down by the end of October/beginning of November. That way I can leave it sit for a month and a half before I begin edits. Wish me luck. I’m going to need it.
August 21st, 2007
Good luck! I’m jealous, because apparently university’s scared off my Muse.
by May August 21st, 2007 at 1:21 pmScaring the muse with college, I like that. I might try frightening mine with the thought of getting my Masters degree. Heh.
And it took me 20 freakin years and lots of pain and anguish to get my Bachelors. Ick. That wasn’t fun.
And you seem to be doing just fine, Jordan.
by Anonymous August 21st, 2007 at 1:23 pmIt would really help if I’d log in before I hit ’submit’. That was me at #2.
I so need a nap
by Jaci Burton August 21st, 2007 at 1:24 pmMay, Mine must have been worried that the university would do the same thing if I went. LOL!
by Jordan August 21st, 2007 at 2:46 pmJaci, At this rate, it’ll be over twenty before I get mine.
It’s just a personal thing that bugs me. I don’t think a degree will change the way that I write. At least not much. I just want to earn that piece of paper. 
by Jordan August 21st, 2007 at 2:47 pmJaci, LOL! No worries. I know the feeling. I just finished a Tahitian dance video. It’s only a matter of time before I collapse. *ggg*
by Jordan August 21st, 2007 at 2:48 pmHey, whatever works! Scare the muse into coughing it up, what a method. A very complicated plot can be hairy, but you can do eeet. *eg* Plot by Ansen Dibell has good stuff on running parallel plots and braiding.
I stave off my nongraduating guilt by reminding myself that I left on an independent study program. I’m still studying. Maybe one day I’ll report back…
by Charli August 21st, 2007 at 3:41 pmCharli, Thanks!I’ll have to break out Plot and see if it can help. I wonder if the university would buy that I was on independent study? *g* Probably not.
by Jordan August 21st, 2007 at 4:48 pmSo, that’s how it works. I have a whole bunch of degrees already, but I can always get more. Will talk with my muse asap.
I LOVE complicated plots.
by Gabriele August 21st, 2007 at 9:39 pmGabriele, LOL! I didn’t know it worked that way until today.
Glad that you like complicated plots. I’m just praying it doesn’t go from complicated to confusing. *ggg*
by Jordan August 21st, 2007 at 9:48 pmLuck.
by raine August 21st, 2007 at 10:27 pm“All I can figure is that I scared the living crap out of my muse with the threat of returning to school.”
And I love plot-heavy romances, especially paranormals. It ramps up the tension and danger, which usually makes for better sex (says the perv reader 
by Jeaniene Frost August 22nd, 2007 at 5:18 amBwaahaaaaa! Next time you get writer’s block, pull out the medical school journals
The visual of a plot falling out of your head nearly did me in. LOL
However, I totally understand. The book I’m working on now is very plot heavy/ambitious and in a completely different genre for me, and it scares me (as in can I pull this off but dayum ain’t it fun!). I sketched out book two yesterday and playing with a plot for book three and they’re just as ambitious/scary/holy cow’ish LOL but a part of me figures this is what it’s really all about.
by Amie August 22nd, 2007 at 10:01 am
REALLY proud of you, Jordan. I’m glad to hear the muse is returning in force. Woo-hoo!!!!
by Julia Templeton August 22nd, 2007 at 10:22 amThanks Raine!
by Jordan August 22nd, 2007 at 10:39 amJeaniene, LOL! Leave it to you to get down to brass tacks. *ggg*
by Jordan August 22nd, 2007 at 10:41 amAmie, That’s what it felt like. *ggg* I’m at the fear stage for sure. Good point about it being what it’s all about. Thanks for the reminder.
by Jordan August 22nd, 2007 at 10:42 amThanks Julie.
by Jordan August 22nd, 2007 at 10:42 amJordan,
I went back to school as an adult with children to get that piece of paper..and I’ve never regretted it.
If wanting that piece of paper is bugging you, go for it.
There are online degrees and special weekend evening only classes for adults.
There were adults in their 60’s in some of my classes and a few 24/25 year olds.
Glad your muse is working with you..always a good sign!
Truly ..about going back to school..the only thing you have to fear is fear itself. You can do the work.
I’ve had professional success that didn’t require a degree..but I needed it for me.
Rebecca
by Rebecca August 22nd, 2007 at 2:01 pmRebecca, That’s how I look at it. I know I just need to take the time to investigate my options. Thanks! And congrats on earning your degree.
by Jordan August 22nd, 2007 at 2:20 pmHaving finished two degrees, I can tell you honestly that neither helped me one bit when it came to writing, so comfort your ego with chocolate and reassure your muse you aren’t going to drown her “voice” learning rules you’ll never use!
DD
by Delilah Devlin August 27th, 2007 at 2:22 pmDelilah, Thanks.
I always wondered if I’d use my degree to become a better writer. I’m sure some people do, but probably not the majority.
by Jordan August 27th, 2007 at 6:49 pm