Writing is like a box of chocolates?

You never know what you're going to get. 

I've have close to forty books under my belt now, and every one of them has been a different experience. I'm not a firm believer in writers' block, so I can't say any of them has ever stumped me, per se. The trick is to keep writing. Even when it's nonsense. One thing I can say, however, is that each book has presented itself differently.

Some books practically write themselves. You sit down and the characters play nice with you. They walk you through their stories and tell you everything beginning to end. You might hit snags along the way, but overall, it's a clear picture. A well-defined path. 

Then there are those books that are like buying a box of chocolates without any idea what flavors are inside. The characters play close to the vest and while getting them to show you the way, they turn their backs on you. That's the closest I've come to "writers' block." Trying to figure out what comes next. Where are they going? What is their journey? When you figure it all out, though, it all comes together in an "a-ha" moment that is very satisfying.

Through the Viewfinder was a box of chocolate truffles without a flavor key. I had all the pieces. I knew the characters. I knew the basic plot, but when I tried to fit it all together, it didn't track. It didn't make sense. How does this part of the story relate to the other? Why does this happen this way? How do these flavors go together? But I kept writing (and this is the lesson for this blog post, keep writing). I was at least half, and maybe further along when I reached the "A-Ha! Now this all makes sense!" Once you figure it out, you can fit in the missing pieces where they go, layer in the foreshadowing that gets you to that once piece of information that had been eluding you but now makes perfect sense. It's like taking a bite of one of those unknown chocolates and finding a new favorite flavor. There's an immense sense of satisfaction once it all comes together, that perfect blend of chocolate and [add your favorite filling here].

This time around? The secondary characters from Viewfinder are stepping forward for their story against a backdrop that both creeps me out and fascinates me. I took them on a field trip, found the ghost story (because that's what I do, after all) and instead of wondering what flavor I'm going to find, it's like I have a whole box of my favorites. I know what I'm going to get in every bite. So satisfying! 

When you're writing, as frustrating as the unknown flavor might be, it keeps me fresh. Keeps me thinking. If every story was easy to write, as with eating your favorite thing every day, you might lose interest. If I didn't have to work for it, I might take it for granted and write a boring story. Not everyone likes vanilla caramel every time.

I have favorite authors. At least two of them write "vanilla caramels" every time. I like vanilla caramels, but every time? Every now and then you want a cherry center. Or English toffee. That's when I switch off and read someone else. Well, you get the idea. 

The good news is that the current work in progress, tentatively titled "Unidentified Remains," is a perfectly balance chocolate truffle. I know this recipe, and I'm pretty sure you'll love the results.