I see the story as a lump of clay.
The story is more or less there. I need to bring in the detail.
The first stage then, whether we are short story or a 80,000 word plus novel, is to slap it down. Here comes the outline of the basic idea. It already looks like a story.
First, I check, does it really have the right balance. Have I got the right shape in my clay?
Then we go into detail. Is my story using the right voice for its reader? Is the sculpture right for its purpose? But whatever I do at this stage or late, I must not alter the basic shape.
Then comes a whole process which involves putting extra bits in and taking other bits out. Tinkering. Does the dialogue work? Would people really say that? Is it adding to character or plot? Am I writing enough with my senses? It feels like sculpting because I have to had and subtract and smooth over.
Finally, there is the last read through, the reading out loud, which slows you enough to notice clunky sentences, basic spelling and grammar mistakes and typos. You finally step back and take in the whole of your sculpture and look for any jagged lines. You smooth and make now minor adjustments which serve the integrity of the whole.
The sculpted story is complete.
We explored these similarities and discussed the writing process as we sculpted with Play Doh today.
