WRITING NOTEBOOK: VISUAL LEARNING AND INDEX CARDS APPROACH

Writing Notebook for February 10, 2015, Tuesday

Over the weekend, I read the book, "Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success" by K.M. Weiland. 

I've read part of it before. I really wanted to see if outlining was my thing or if it could be my thing. That's about as far as it got. I've been a serial pantser for years and have tried to write hundreds of books--nonfiction and fiction (novels). At no avail. I've been all over the place. I've tried to commit and it just hasn't worked. So, it was with this book, when I first read it. However, "Outlining Your Novel" this weekend took on whole new meaning to me. 

I find it interesting how one word, sentence, paragraph, page, section, chapter can finally get something in you to flip on and you have the proverbial AHA! moment. The light bulb comes on and you finally get it. You are no longer in the dark. 

I also find it interesting how it's usually absolute common sense, and is usually something you have thought and/or heard before, but for some reason, this time, the way the words were arranged, something clicked and your brain was able to file the information and retrieve old information and combine it into a new file. Then, you can finally do something with it. That's what "Outlining Your Novel" did for me this weekend.

I count a million blessings for this book and for K.M. Weiland. 

I think, after fourteen years, I finally get it. (Sad. Way too late. But, the timing will be perfect, I have no doubt.)

MY LIGHT BULB MOMENT ABOUT WRITING AND OUTLINING

What was it that created the four by four over the head type of light bulb moment when my slow light finally came on--and at full brightness? It's when she talked about how outlining works really well, through color note cards on a bulletin board, for visual learners. I thought: "Huh. I'm a visual learner." 

This took me aback and flashbacks of junior and senior English in high school came back to me and using index cards to write. I remember that was when I grew in leaps and bounds as a writer. I went from getting C's and B's to A's in a short amount of time. Why did I stop? After all, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. 

I searched my brain and my heart for an answer and quickly discovered an answer that hit close to home and was a painful and in-your-face answer: I went against my firm belief of:

If you ever discover you're taking the easy way, stop, and run quickly in the opposite direction. After all, the easy road is never the best road to take. You think it will save time, and it might to get the first objective accomplished, but it doesn't get the full picture objective accomplished, and it usually takes longer and it isn't your best work. 

I've taken the easy way with writing.

Weiland also talks about how if you haven't outlined and used note cards as a visual learner, you may have several projects you tried, but were never able to brought through to completion. 

Ouch. Double ow. 

She had my attention.

So, bless my husband, I looked over at him after this rolled around in my head for a day and a half, and announced: "We need to go to the store and get me some index cards." 

B (hubby): "Why?"

Me: "For my latest novel."

B: "Haven't you tried that before?" (Not out of complaint or criticism, but out of a genuine heart to get to know my reasoning.)

Me: "No. You're thinking for my art journaling. I haven't tried note cards for writing scone high school."

B: "Oh. Let's go. I need to pick up a couple of things anyway." He didn't hesitate. 

Need I mention how we were in our sweats and it was almost dark--and Sunday night? B humors me. He will do anything he can to support my craft--even as I have spun my wheels on project after project for all of these years. 

So, we went to the store. I stared at the index cards and said, "I have no idea how many I need." I grabbed a couple.

B looked at the price and said, "Well, for that price, you might as well pick up several and I can always pick you up some more on the way home if I need."

I grabbed five packages of 100, and we spent $0.59 per package. And, I said, "I doubt I need all of these, but if I do, I would sure appreciate you picking up more." I really didn't imagine filling in more cards. 

DAY 1 OF USING INDEX CARDS (MONDAY, FEBRUARY 09, 2015)

It took me three-quarters of the day yesterday to finish reading the book, "Outlining Your Novel." I seemed to highlight most of the book, let me add. So, then I started to put what I learned into practice. 

Goosebumps just ran up and down my arms and back. (No joke.)

When B came home from work, he asked me how things went. I told him, "I need more index cards, but still have no idea how many I will need."

He stared at me. I can only imagine what went through his head about his nutty wife. 

"B, my writing has been transformed and revolutionized. I've come up with what I think might be my best idea yet (and I thought how it could be a Great American novel if I do it right). I am not ready to talk about it too much, but I am reading 'GONE WITH THE WIND,' 'THE THORN BIRDS,' AND 'ATLAS SHRUGGED,' if that tells you anything." (But, I thought maybe I should add "THE WINDS OF WAR" and "WAR AND REMEMBRANCE" as well.

Bless him. He just stared at me. 

I think he's been told that with every project and he hasn't, and didn't say, "Sure." Even though he probably thought it and I sure don't blame him if he did. 

Last night, I explained the concept of the book with him and he gave me a slight look that he could tell this really was different and he was curious to see what, if anything, happened with this late great new idea. 

"The index card system has changed things for me." I explained to B earlier.

B: "How?"

Me: "I can see my thoughts in a shorter form and can organize them through moving one card to another place if I need."

B: "You can shuffle your ideas and writing in other words."

Me: "Yeah. It's hands-on. You know me. I'm a visual learned. This really helps me see it, my writing and ideas. But, it also is hands-on. You know me. I learn best through visual learning and through doing it."

B:" That's kinesthetic learning--and yeah. That's you." He nodded. 

Me: "Yeah! That's it."

B: "That makes sense. I'll get you more cards tomorrow."

Me: "Thanks. I've already gone through almost 100." 

He got a smirk and nodded. 

Why haven't I done this all along? What a fool I've been. I think I've finally found how to write, so I can actually start and complete a project. I also think because of it, I've come up with an epic patriotic love story. 

Mind you, I will go against all the rules publishers say. I am going to write a massive novel for my first real book. It will be around 1000-1100 pages. But, if it's tight writing, it will sell. If it's an engaging work that stirs up the emotions and grabs the heart and mind, it will be well received. But, that isn't why I'm writing it. 

This novel, I'm writing because I want to read a book like this. 

So, stay tuned. 

It's called, "AUTUMN BLAZE." 

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC 2014-2015.)