Story Line Challenges

One of the most reoccuring story line challenges I've faced is “direction” (where the story is going). Why? It has to do with great creativity I guess. But it's curse is 'overflow', which tends to redirect my original direction of developments, or at least wag juicy twists in front of me. And it's a fun experience resisting the bait.

Don't usually have trouble with many of the other aspects like naming characters, plots, dialogue etc. At least not in my mind. ;) Although sometimes it is interesting when narrrowing down settings or 'ambience' for each segment of the story. Yes, for me it can present a challenge. But I usually find my way through it or take a chance with the material.

How about everyone else, what have you found to be challenging when it comes to story line construction? Or other aspects thereof, when putting together a body of work?

Re: Story Line Challenges

Wow, I felt a strange sense of relief when I read your post.  Like, Hey look, I'm not the only one!

I'm never sure where my story is going, and it's a rare day when I even know from one scene to the next.  I do, however, have vague ideas, such as - wouldn't it be cool if these characters ended up falling in love?  If the protagonist's long lost father returns but they hate each other?  If the antagonist is really fighting for a just cause, but nobody realizes it?

So that's how it goes.  Usually in terms of what ifs.  I have never nailed down a plot, or a result.  Things change, unexpectedly, especially when things fall into place in your head.  Recently, I brought together two troublesome plot threads.  A curse had been placed upon my antagonist, the curse being that he would forever have a demon wrapped around his body.  However, when he is asleep, the demon is free to roam.  My protagonist, on the other hand, has different issues - his best friend, a girl who is fifteen in comparison to his twenty-four, has a crush on him, which makes him extremely uncomfortable.

The protagonist ends up meeting the demon, and they hit it off, making a pretty bizarre new replationship in the story.  However, the demon is actually the protagonist's future self…Good thing I didn't make a solid plan, right?  Because I probably never would have thought of that. 

I have a great fear of getting to the end of the book and not having an ending.  But I just have to keep going and hope that I come up with one by the time I get there.  :)

Re: Story Line Challenges

Hi Shah,

”I have a great fear of getting to the end of the book and not having an ending.”

Your plight is shared. Dare I reveal it. LOL.  :)

Its like trekking the earth only to find out it isn't round, but flat and you're about to fall dead flat out into space when you reach the edge. Scary.

Thank goodness for Desktop editing software. For, if not for that, I'd have the tree population quite angry with me. I mean, how'd that look: me running madly with my arms flailing wildly while being chased down by trees?

Exactly, thats my point.

But Shah, those are some interesting characters you got there. Funny how ideas jump into the mind during the writing process. A future self is a present self's demon? Who knew, right?
 
Quite creative.

Your brain may become silly putty after writing that story, my friend.

Go in peace. Do ya thing.  :)

Re: Story Line Challenges

Wow, I was just browsing by, after writing this seven months ago, and it's kind of hilarious - I actually stayed on track with what I said here!

I haven't finished the book yet.  But at least I'm following through with my original speculations!

*does a little skippy dance*