writingforyourlife

Every creator painfully experiences the chasm between his inner vision and its ultimate expression.  The chasm is never completely bridged. 

~Isaac Bashevis Singer

How much of your story is missing?

When you spend hours, days, months, perhaps even years composting ideas for a novel, you’ve really created an alternate reality.  Depending on how much time you spend in this literary head-space, you may start feeling more comfortable there than you do in your own shoes.

This is great for gathering material with which to write your novel, but it makes it difficult to recognize the crucial details you may be leaving out.

Dare we call them… moth holes?  I just made up that term right now, but you know what I mean.

Just because you happen to know everything about your characters,  setting, and plot, doesn’t mean you’ve been successful in translating those details onto paper.

Sure, when you read through your draft, it all seems to make perfect sense. But then, you’re biased. Your brain is potentially filling in the missing bits.

Will an objective reader think it makes sense?

A submissions editor at a publishing company?

Best to be on the safe side.  Here are 3 ways to avoid moth holes in your story:

1. Map Motivations:  Keep track of why your characters are doing what they do and saying what they say.  Write it down somewhere and review it often.  Make sure those details are subtly woven into your story.
2. Take a Long Break:  When you finish your first full draft, put it away for a long time–at least 2 months.  You’ll have fresher eyes when you return to it.  You’ll notice things your brain glossed over before.
3. Get a Second Opinion:  Don’t get your best friend or your grandma to read your manuscript.  They’re far too nice.  Get someone honest (and someone who has good literary taste)  to read it and tell you what’s missing.

So, no need to abandon your alternate reality.  No need for those smelly mothballs either.

Just make sure your feet are on the ground when you’re editing, and your manuscript is sure to be moth-hole free.

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