Hello, dreamers. Years ago, I wrote a lot of posts about my writing. Not what I wrote itself, but rather the process by which I write. Those were some of my most popular posts, and I got a lot of views and positive feedback. Then, the pandemic happened. The pandemic was a soul-searching moment for many people, and I was no exception. In its wake, my life changed dramatically, in many good ways. And as a result of that change, I found a powerful new voice influencing my life; a voice that came from a place of caring, and belonged to someone who clearly had my best interests at heart. The voice belonged to the woman I love.

So, on her advice, I changed my website, my business plan for writing, my entire model. In terms of my website, I narrowed my focus. I wasn’t a blogger, a journalist, or anything like that. I’m a writer. I don’t write rambling posts about my life. I write science fiction, including books. It took a while to refocus, and refine my model. But I have, and now I’m resuming my posts on writing, in the form of a monthly Thursday feature entitled “On Writing”. So, without further ado, this month I’d like to start by answering a common question.

The Genesis of a Story

I’ve seen a lot of talk among writers on Twitter recently about how a story starts. Does it begin with the plot? The characters? I’ve seen a lot of answers. But as I thought about it, especially given my recent experience plotting out Aquarius 1, I realized my answer was a bit more complicated.

Every novel concept I come up with begins with a single file. At the top of the blank page, after the (working) title, it all starts with a brief description of my idea. Usually it’s a paragraph, no more than three lines, covering the basic idea of the story, its setting and main character. That brief description becomes the premise.

The premise introduces the setting, basic plot, and protagonist (the main character, abbreviated by writers as “MC”). All the best stories are about people who take control; nobody wants a story about some guy (or girl) where things just happen to him, and he goes along with it. So the MC is crucial: who they are and what they do will affect the plot.

I begin with characters, starting with the MC. As I learn more about them, I begin creating supporting characters. Their role, primarily, is to help the MC accomplish their goal, so they are influence by the MC, and the MC by them. As I flesh out the characters, I continue modifying those I’d previously created, forming likely relationships between them.

The characters influence the setting. That may sound strange, but while I’ll have a basic setting in mind while laying down the premise, like the characters the setting will change to accommodate the story. While jotting out notes about setting, I will refer back to the character notes.

Through all of this, a plot begins to take shape. I view the initial premise as sort of a compass: part of the premise will always describe the conclusion of the novel. But through working with the characters and setting, I’m able to see the plot more clearly. I begin to see important points in the story: pivotal moments that will steer it toward its climax, and then its conclusion. I think of those points as “milestones”. Once I begin writing, as I write chapter by chapter I’m always working towards the next milestone. Most novels I plot out end up having between five to seven milestones, in addition to the climax and conclusion. At least one typically occurs between the climax and conclusion. I call this the “reveal”; I like the climax to be action-packed, but also jarring. I want it to be unexpected. In its aftermath, I finally clue the reader in to what’s actually going on.

In writing circles, it’s often said that there are two basic types of writers: “plotters” and “pantsers”. Plotters, as the name suggests, usually begin with a detailed outline, accompanied by pages of notes. Pantsers, on the other hand, just start writing and see where it takes them (they write by the seat of their pants). I consider myself a plotter, but with one major caveat: I seldom, if ever, write an actual outline. If I do, it’s usually very brief notes on individual plot points. Most of it is in my head. When I hit on a really good novel concept – one I can actually write – I know because I can see it. I can clearly visualize the milestones. I not only know where the story is going, but I know how to get there.

And once I reach that point, I have a story. I don’t know how long it will take, but I know I’ll write it. – MK

Next month in “On Writing”, learn about my writing regimen, including my “daily sketches”. Watch next Thursday for my next “The Cutting Room Floor”, where I’ll be discussing editing my novel Pioneers.