When you write a story, at least in the mystery, suspense and thriller genres, you have to do basically two things: throw a rock in a pond and then follow the ripples. In many novels of these genres, a big rock is thrown right away. Then the ripples are followed until they butt up against the far shore at the end of the novel. There, I've made things simple, haven't I?
Simple unless you're the person doing the writing. Because over the course of 300-400 pages you will have to keep lots and lots of details straight in your mind. Or your story will become the equivalent of a Rube Goldberg machine and not even members of your immediate family will tell you your novel is interesting.
Today, I followed ripples in two scenes, and to make sure I had my details straight, I went back into the manuscript and reread the story lines relevant to these ripples. In one scene, a major character unexpectedly happens upon one of the antagonists and makes an unsuccessful attempt to capture him. This was an action scene: big rock. So the ripples from this are already spreading. In another scene, a question asked earlier by the protagonist—smaller rock—produces new information that could be relevant to the pursuit of the sexual predator—smaller ripple.
But all the consequences of all the acts are nearing the far shore.
I wrote six-plus pages today.
Day 53 of writing my new novel is done.
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