Does anyone else take the beat/word count too literally like I do?? I am getting so caught up that I’m already in act 2 and still under 20k words…yet the pacing and flow is good. I don’t want to go back and add fluff just to beef it up, ya know?
I wouldn’t worry about it too much at this stage! We are using it for more of a loose structure but I hope it doesn’t feel rigid! You never know what your word count will end up being or how scenes will move and flow in future drafts so you can never really need too “literal” with the beats, you know?
I'd already written several aborted first drafts of this novel. But THIS TIME, I am flying, revelling in sprints with no editing, no planning, just seeing where the story goes. This prompt gave me a new tension I hadn't even thought was going to happen - all caused by one of those awkward text exchanges where both parties take the other's words out of context, leaving them both drifting away to attempt to unpick what had gone wrong. I'm having fun so far thank you x
I’m here! My character’s are in Fort Collins Colorado. When my main character Angeline meets a young stowaway named Veronica she is thrust into the dynamics of a new space in her life.
There’s also allot going on but I think this is actually what drives Angeline to the end of this story!
So exciting and I can’t wait to hear about everyone else’s stories!
I'm on chapter 5 and my inciting incident hasn't happened yet. I feel like I'm leaving it too long, but equally don't really want to cut what I've already written. Does anyone have any advice?
I would just keep moving forward! Keep writing your way to where you feel like the inciting incident will naturally occur in your story thus far. You will be editing and cutting and moving things around in revisions but not yet! :)
The inciting incident has already happened in my draft. The debate will be written today. Not sure if I will be able to hit the 12k milestone, but I will certainly reach halfway. That's not nothing, is it?
Does it count if my inciting incident doesn't happen in the manuscript? (I hope) it's clear from the rest of the novel. But that would mean I've technically started in Act 2. And if so, why does my Act 3 feel like an Act 2? Can I even have two inciting incidents? Idk if any of this makes sense 😭
There are lots of moments in a novel that can be deemed an inciting incident, so you can absolutely have more than one. The one that comes in Act 1 is also known as the catalyst or the incident that sets the whole story into motion. I wouldn't worry too much about the logistics in this early draft. Just keep that story moving :)
Replying to myself here. Ofc I can have two inciting incidents. I'm just not sure the first one (the one not technically in the novel) even counts as an inciting incident 🤔 I guess it doesn't really matter
I believe you can find that through a Google search by looking for "save the cat beat sheet." However, I would just offer a gentle reminder not to worry so much about hitting the beats in such a structured way. They are more of a loose structure we can use as a guide as we navigate our drafts. It can be a lot of pressure to feel like you have to hit certain moments at exact word counts— speaking from experience!
I’ve come to realize, at least for myself, that my characters are not just my imagination. They have always been about dream space conversations with the other side. Whether you look at it like higher self, or look at it as something even more complex that we’re all in a collaboration of evolving.
The new book, the new story, the sequel, whatever the hell it is has been emotionally kicking my ass and I definitely won’t get a draft finished by the end of the month but I also know that it has nothing to do with the cozy little mysteries that I thought I was going to write so that I can make some money hahaha
I can confirm that synchronicity is definitely the rule…daily appearances that are yet another breadcrumb. I don’t know where some people get their inspiration from but I know that for me, it’s always been the sidewalk tarot sense images in my peripheral that catch my eye and drive my soul
Today there was a post on AIDS Memorial on Facebook and it was yet another little piece of the puzzle, and I realize that there are many of us working on those same puzzle pieces puzzling through the pieces of past trying to make them fit a future.
I feel like I’ve got this whole group of multidimensional collaborators each one of them, putting in their own two cents stepping up to the plate saying tell my story now. That’s part of Cassie’s conflict as well.
Does anyone else take the beat/word count too literally like I do?? I am getting so caught up that I’m already in act 2 and still under 20k words…yet the pacing and flow is good. I don’t want to go back and add fluff just to beef it up, ya know?
I wouldn’t worry about it too much at this stage! We are using it for more of a loose structure but I hope it doesn’t feel rigid! You never know what your word count will end up being or how scenes will move and flow in future drafts so you can never really need too “literal” with the beats, you know?
No, it’s not too rigid! It’s just how my AuDHD brain works lol. Structure is both helpful and a hindrance!
Yes, having a very similar conversation with myself! Telling myself it can take the form it’s naturally asking to take.
I love that. Good reminder.
I'd already written several aborted first drafts of this novel. But THIS TIME, I am flying, revelling in sprints with no editing, no planning, just seeing where the story goes. This prompt gave me a new tension I hadn't even thought was going to happen - all caused by one of those awkward text exchanges where both parties take the other's words out of context, leaving them both drifting away to attempt to unpick what had gone wrong. I'm having fun so far thank you x
Yeah these prompts are great right! I opened this stack today and I’m like yes! My tension is rising!
I’m here! My character’s are in Fort Collins Colorado. When my main character Angeline meets a young stowaway named Veronica she is thrust into the dynamics of a new space in her life.
There’s also allot going on but I think this is actually what drives Angeline to the end of this story!
So exciting and I can’t wait to hear about everyone else’s stories!
Yes! It's on!
I'm on chapter 5 and my inciting incident hasn't happened yet. I feel like I'm leaving it too long, but equally don't really want to cut what I've already written. Does anyone have any advice?
I would just keep moving forward! Keep writing your way to where you feel like the inciting incident will naturally occur in your story thus far. You will be editing and cutting and moving things around in revisions but not yet! :)
The inciting incident has already happened in my draft. The debate will be written today. Not sure if I will be able to hit the 12k milestone, but I will certainly reach halfway. That's not nothing, is it?
Don't worry too much about where you are hitting these beats for your first draft! Halfway is amazing
Thank you! That's reassuring.
Does it count if my inciting incident doesn't happen in the manuscript? (I hope) it's clear from the rest of the novel. But that would mean I've technically started in Act 2. And if so, why does my Act 3 feel like an Act 2? Can I even have two inciting incidents? Idk if any of this makes sense 😭
There are lots of moments in a novel that can be deemed an inciting incident, so you can absolutely have more than one. The one that comes in Act 1 is also known as the catalyst or the incident that sets the whole story into motion. I wouldn't worry too much about the logistics in this early draft. Just keep that story moving :)
Replying to myself here. Ofc I can have two inciting incidents. I'm just not sure the first one (the one not technically in the novel) even counts as an inciting incident 🤔 I guess it doesn't really matter
Do you have a list of the beats and approximate word count that you could share?
I believe you can find that through a Google search by looking for "save the cat beat sheet." However, I would just offer a gentle reminder not to worry so much about hitting the beats in such a structured way. They are more of a loose structure we can use as a guide as we navigate our drafts. It can be a lot of pressure to feel like you have to hit certain moments at exact word counts— speaking from experience!
My MC’s “normal” world shattering moment occurs when he walks in on his wife getting railed against the wall by another man…
I’ve come to realize, at least for myself, that my characters are not just my imagination. They have always been about dream space conversations with the other side. Whether you look at it like higher self, or look at it as something even more complex that we’re all in a collaboration of evolving.
The new book, the new story, the sequel, whatever the hell it is has been emotionally kicking my ass and I definitely won’t get a draft finished by the end of the month but I also know that it has nothing to do with the cozy little mysteries that I thought I was going to write so that I can make some money hahaha
I can confirm that synchronicity is definitely the rule…daily appearances that are yet another breadcrumb. I don’t know where some people get their inspiration from but I know that for me, it’s always been the sidewalk tarot sense images in my peripheral that catch my eye and drive my soul
Today there was a post on AIDS Memorial on Facebook and it was yet another little piece of the puzzle, and I realize that there are many of us working on those same puzzle pieces puzzling through the pieces of past trying to make them fit a future.
I feel like I’ve got this whole group of multidimensional collaborators each one of them, putting in their own two cents stepping up to the plate saying tell my story now. That’s part of Cassie’s conflict as well.