MM – ZK Snyder’s Notebook Method

During the process of creating links for last Monday’s post, I stumbled upon Zilpha Keatley Snyder’s website (author of my personal favorite, The Velvet Room, among many others). One of the first things I noticed was a section called, “To Fellow Writers.” I clicked on it, saw it contained a reprint of a 1993 article called, “To Be A “Storyteller” (in which she discusses her Notebook Method of plotting) and left the tab open so I could read it at a later time. I’m so glad I did!

I read it yesterday, while I was yet again getting distracted by the interwebz trying to figure out how to approach rewriting my 2011 NaNo novel, and found it completely inspiring (especially her love/hate relationship with the word, “Storyteller”). In fact, I’ve added, “loose leaf notebook, paper, and tab pages” to my shopping list. I highly recommend you read the whole article for yourself, but here’s a snippet –

I STILL begin a story by indulging in what has always been for me a form of self-entertainment. I look for a character or characters and a beginning situation that cries out to be explored and embellished–or “embroidered,” as my mother used to say reprovingly. This beginning situation must be something that connects directly to my long-established urge to find excitement, mystery, and high emotion in the midst of even the most prosaic circumstances. And over the years I have found that if such an element is lacking, I should not look for other reasons to continue work on that particular story idea.

For me, at least, a theme to develop, a problem to explore, or a message to be delivered, doesn’t do it. I know because I’ve tried. I have started books with a particular message in mind, only to find that my plot mires down and my characters refuse to come to life.

This is not to say that my stories contain no references to problems that have been of concern to me, or causes I would like to promote. I just find it better to start with the joy and excitement of letting my imagination run wild–and let the messages take care of themselves–because they can and will. Messages are, I think, unavoidable. Anything a writer cares or feels deeply about will inevitably find its way into what he or she writes. However, I have found that it is better, when I start out on a new literary journey, to let messages climb into the back seat on their own, rather than to invite them to take the wheel.

Do you have a favorite inspirational article about the writing process? Be sure to shout out!

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~ Melissa S. Ford, Stirrup Queens

Notebook Method. “Love. Fall in love and stay in love. Write only what you love, and love what you write. The key word is love. You have to get up in the morning and write something you love, something to live for.” Ray Bradbury. “Love. Fall in love and stay in love. Write only what you love, and love what you write. The key word is love. You have to get up in the morning and write something you love. something to live for.” Ray Bradbury. Notebook Method. Full Sturgeon Moon in Aquarius. August 18th 2016 at 5:27am EST. Also called the Green Corn Moon. the Grain Moon. or the Red Moon. Magical workings include. problem solving, freedom, friendship, innovation. creative and personal expression, science, and breaking bad habits. This is not a passive voice. I am writing in an active voice. My SEO will stop telling me how to write. These sentences are also shorter than twenty words. Stop being so controlling. Especially since most of the sentences in this post are not mine. I will keep going until you turn green. I can’t believe this is still orange. Finally, it has turned. Success!