Just wondering, how many more people who write something that a character does or says, something that on the face of it seems just part of moving a scene along, but much later in the story that throw away moment becomes relevant without your meaning to use it. I know that somewhere the subconscious comes into play, for me it is usually nearer unconscious. But joking apart, I never plan formerly, by that I mean I don't write notes, I do seem to always be running over ideas in my head and when I get the chance to sit and write then they take over. However, these things are not planned consciously, the story just goes that way and there is that bit from three, four or six chapters ago making itself useful.
So there we are, my question is how many of us do this. I do so hope it is all of us and not just me, if not I must be "The chosen one" that I have so often read about!
Just wondered. Regards Paul.
Oh yes a P.S. here
If it has happened and I'm sure it has. Did it make a big difference to the story, did it change the way you were intending to go?
Paul
Hi Paul.
You are not alone in the experience you describe. I have an example where the protagonist boasts about his plans, which fail to impress his superiors and lead to a humbling experience. I hadn't set out to do that, but it helped me show how the protagonist coped with adversity and learned from his experience - all part of his growth.
It's amazing how new ideas will spring from the ether. This is not serendipity. The ideas that formulate the storyline and plot in our minds will manifest themselves in many ways, consciously through inspiration, and sub-consciously as the mind chugs away in the background.
I have no idea how the sub-conscious mind works, but it is a very able assistant. I have had solutions to problems suddenly appear in my mind, when I've been busy doing other things. I welcome the assistance of my anonymous editor, ghost-writer.
Paul, I hope that helps to ease your mind.
Cancel the straight-jacket, because your experience is not unique. You have not gone to that far off land called bananas.