We’ve been discussing writing concepts to help you set up a story that has built-in appeal. How does that compare with the actual writing you do on a regular basis? When you pick up a book you admire, doesn’t it seem as if the author was brilliant, getting all those words and concepts down as easy as pie? Truth is, most books didn’t start out as brilliant as all that.
Writing Tip for Today: Learning new skills and applying them can lead to frustration. If you are in the middle of a draft, do you start your novel over so you can incorporate these new techniques? As reader Jan commented, it could be tricky to overlay a concept such as “higher stakes” without completely rewriting your story. Here are some safe ways to try out your new skills:

• If you like writing exercises, try using them to test a new concept.
• Brainstorm with a writing partner to work these concepts into your draft.
• Learn to Plant. Start where you are and make notes to “plant” later. This is often the way I work. I get a brilliant idea that makes my story much better, but I already wrote 150 pages. So on page 151, I write as if the new idea is throughout the book. After my draft is finished, when I’m revising, I do what I call a plant. I introduce the idea very early in the draft, and build up the idea slowly until I’m back at p. 151. It’s crucial that the idea doesn’t suddenly leap out of the bushes unannounced. If it builds slowly over many chapters, the idea will feel more logical and organic.

Try This! Go through your draft and mark places where you think this new idea might be needed. Later, when you are in revisions, you’ll have notes at the ready for spots that need planting with a gradual build-up of the idea you wish to present.