Tuesday, September 21, 2021

What We're Writing: The Score is Outline-1 Hank-0



First, yes, this has been a crazy week for "the book that is."  

 I spent last Monday night at the Brookline Booksmith virtual launch of  HER PERFECT LIFE life, and I have to tell you it was transformative.  There were 346 people!

 And so much love and joy that I was in tears much of the time. Thank you all who came, and thank you all who bought books, and I honestly have never had such a fantastic event. 

Below I am signing the pre-orders in the Booksmith's empty basement, and of course I put my mask back on right after the photo.

The wonderful reviews keep coming, including the Providence Journal saying "Her perfect life is as close to perfect as a psychological thriller can be." Which, I have to say, made my Monday.

(If you have not purchased HER PERFECT LIFE, this is the one time I will say to you. Please do :-) No pressure. It is just my career. Click here.


 A star from Kirkus and a star from Publishers Weekly and my endless endless gratitude. If you want a copy signed personally to you, I can tell you how. Just mention it in the comments.)

But of course, in my world of spinning plates, I am also trying to finish "the book that is to be," and I will tell you that the deadline for it is October 6.  (Ha. Ha.)

And here's the crazy thing that happened along the way.

So, you know me, a card-carrying pantser, or as George RR Martin described it, a gardener. He says some authors are architects, that they build the structure of their novels, and then weave and plaster their story onto that scaffolding. A plotter. Other authors, he says, are gardeners, who have a seed, and plant it, and cultivate it, and then watch their story grow. You know this. 

Anyway, for 13 books, I have been an inveterate gardener. I have no idea what comes next, you all know this, too, and so far, that has worked well for me. 

But one day, back in, maybe February, I was thinking about my new book, book 14, and suddenly, the whole thing appeared to me. WHAT?? 

I sat down with a notebook and a pencil, yes pencil, and wrote out four pages of outline. Beginning middle end. Everything! Everything that happened.  AN OUTLINE.

It took about half an hour.

Wow, I thought, this is awesome. This is sensational. This is the best thing that has ever happened to anyone in anyone’s conceivable entire life. 

I was ecstatic. I thought wow, why didn’t anyone ever tell me about this! And of course they have, Jeffrey Deaver has spent years trying to convince me to write an outline, and although it worked for him, I never quite believed it. 

But there it was,  four soon-typed pages revealing the entire story. EVEN THE END. I HAVE NEVER KNOWN AN END. Amazing. 

So I sat at my computer, gloriously happy, and started banging it out. What happens next, the question that always filled me with fear, this time it was a snap! I just looked at my pieces of paper, (which I bought a magnet board to display), and it told me what happen next. Incredible. 

I got to about 60,000 words. And slammed hard into the wall. It just wasn’t working. It just wasn’t working! People were doing things for no reason, they were saying things that were ridiculous, they were behaving  in insane ways, and I just sat and stared at it. What had happened to my beautiful story?

Time passed, and I stared at the page. I asked myself all the questions I always ask when I am stuck: what would really happen, what would someone really do, what time is it. I asked myself all those things. And nothing was working.

And time was going by.

Time. Was. Going. By.

I finally called my editor and said hey, wanna look at my manuscript? I’m about two-thirds finished with the rough draft, and I’m not quite sure of where this is going, can you just look at it and see where I may have hit some quicksand?

She read it in a day, maybe two, and we chatted. She said: this is a great story, really good, but it’s only the story. “There’s not enough…thinking,” she said.

Then she paused and said: I don’t mean a bunch of internal dialogue, but this is all plot and no depth. 

And I said yeah, but by word count I’m about  60 percent of the way through, but by the story arc, this should be almost finished. Is that why I can’t figure out what to do?

And she said: absolutely. Go back and open this up.

And, reds and readers, that is exactly what I am doing.

 Turns out, I knew how to make an outline, hilariously, but I did not know how to use it! 

Now, I am closing in on the ending, sort of, and don't know what it it, and it's NOT THE ONE IN THE OUTLINE, but at least I know what the book is about. More than story, it is about the characters. And gardening.

Yes yes, I obviously already knew this. It just took a minute to come back to me.

Book 14, underway.


And book 13, HER PERFECT
LIFE, is now happily in the world, thanks to all of you, and I am floating! (LOOK, Zibby Owens (gasp!) chose it as a top read for fall!) 

What do you think about what my editor told me? 

53 comments:

  1. Congratulations, Hank . . . “Her Perfect Life” deserves all those accolades . . . and more.

    As for “the book that is to be” . . . I actually chuckled when you said you wrote an outline for the book and it only took a moment for me to realize that I was waiting for the “But . . . .”

    It’s interesting that your editor made that comment about depth, mostly because I’ve never read a story of yours that lacked depth. But if you’d gotten off track with your outline, it is good you had someone who knew your writing well enough to correct your course a bit and give you a way to make it all work for you . . . .

    And now I want to read it . . . .

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  2. I don't see how authors write without outlines. And it sounds like your editor was able to help you, which is wonderful.

    Congrats again on Her Perfect Life.

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    1. Well, my brain does not seem to like them..and rejected this one outright! :-) And yes, the editor is amazing. xx ANd aw, thank you! xx

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  3. Blessings for good editors, right? I'm glad you found your way back to the garden, Hank. That's clearly your Happy place.

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  4. This is fascinating Hank. I had never heard writing described that way by Martin, but I love it! And your editor is so smart--go back and open it up. Wow! I will be so interested at the end to hear about which process felt right for you.

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  5. Hank, this is pretty much what happens to me when I use an outline. I stick so close to the story, I don't "open it up" to use your editor's phrase and eventually the whole thing putters out. Of course, once I open it up, that ending I thought I knew turns out to be not the ending, so right there with you. But I know you'll do it with your usual brilliance.

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  6. Hank, enjoy all the buzz and excitement for Her Perfect Life! Well-earned!!

    And I know exactly what you and your editor mean--the outline is like a road map zoomed out to show the major highways, cities, etc. But you have to zoom in on the map to find the detours, the small towns, the interesting little by-ways and roadside attractions that add depth to any journey.

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  7. Congratulations on all the accolades for Her Perfect Life. The launch party was wonderful and Brookline Booksmiths sent me an email telling me that my copy is on the way. I am sure your fingers knew you'd signed hundreds of books!

    You crack me up, Hank! No one has process like you! The last time you shared your process you had 120,000 words and needed to cut 20,000. Now you have an outline and,like Jenn, the whole book came to you in a flash (which is exactly what I'd want if I were an author.) You told us you loved the process of cutting. How was this new-to-you process in comparison? It seems that your editor knew just what to say to get you back on track!

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    1. Ah....If an outline ever presents itself again, I will gratefully accept it! But I will have to continue to learn how to use it.

      And than you, yes, the party was life-changingly memorable!

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  8. Congratulations, Hank! What a fantastic editor you have! "All plot and no depth" maybe should be embroidered on a pillow.

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  9. I’m very happy for your success with Her Perfect Life, Hank.

    What an experience you had with your new book. It is a good thing that you have a brilliant editor.
    Your post helped me to understand why the book I’m reading (in French) doesn’t catch my interest. It is a very good story based on a real fact but something is missing. Is it the depth, the characters or the “ gardening “ ?
    Anyway, I’m at least certain that when your next book will be out, it will be perfect.

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    1. Oh, that is such an interesting observation! Very thought-provoking!

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  10. Your editor earned her salary, Hank! And thank goodness for good ones, those who can draw out the best a writer can give.

    Congratulations on Her Perfect Life! Huzzah, huzzah.

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  11. Your editor is channeling my writing coach, who is always telling me to 'open up, open it up, Amanda' -- so, I think your editor is smart. And you are super smart to be following her advice ;)

    Go, Hank, go! Book 14: yay! And Book 13: mega congrats!

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    1. Thank you. ANd yes, always something new to learn, thank goodness!

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  12. Congratulations on your new release! I like the gardening image. I'm not an architect.

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  13. Congratulations, Hank on the well deserved success of Her Perfect Life. And thank you for taking us along on the ride!

    So glad your editor was able to help. The entire story in one flash! I am officially jealous. The only ending I'm sure of is that justice will prevail. How that happens - anyone's guess.

    I was a gardener for a long time - then I realized how much time I spent pulling the weeds, many of which had produced gorgeous flowers that I loved. I do outline, but in much the same way I drive. I know I am going from point A to somewhere near point B. I map out the direct route, then I drive where the spirit moves me. The framework is there, but the final destination can change depending on the side trips. I refer to it as "Plostering."

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  14. Waiting for my signed copy! The event for Brookline Booksmith was sublime. Classy. Fabulous. And oh my have I ever been there with a manuscript. Great advice: "Go back and open this up." It's got to be more than a good yarn... but that's a great start.

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    1. Aw, thank you, darling one! (and your book is on the way! THANK YOU!) And yes, that's so true..gotta have an idea. xxx

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    2. SO EXCITED! My book just arrived in today's mail - gearing up to dive in.

      And here's what I think: YOU *always* know what your books are about, at the most basic storytelling level. It's where you begin

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    3. You are so wonderful to have purchased it--YAAAYYY! (and isn't it pretty?) And now I am terrified. And remember? You were one of the very first real people to read my very first book!

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  15. I remember back a few years when there was a new kid with a new book. Prime Time. Remember? And I remember saying, "This kid is gonna be around for awhile." Remember ? And look at you now. I will never ever get tired of telling you how very proud I am of you, Hank Phillipi Ryan. Already looking forward to this next book, but enjoying the dickens out of all the terrific buzz around this one.

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  16. I love the flexibility, to accept the outline when it appeared, and to consult on how to flesh out the outline. One innovation I loved and taught to my students was an outline format called webbing, much less structured and with room for random thoughts and connections. I never really liked formal outlines, used to write a paper early in order to outline it for the teacher.
    I'm already looking forward to your next book.

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  17. Well, whatever she told you worked. I couldn't put your book down. Laughing about the outline. I used to write my report first and then make an outline like my teacher wanted. Some of us just don't respond well to how things are supposed to be done.

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  18. Huge congrats on all the accolades, Hank!! I can't wait to start Her Perfect Life--as soon as I dig myself out from under my own plot mess... I am going to go seriously contemplate your editor's advice.

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    1. Oh, that would be so interesting if her advice helped you, too! LOVe that.

      ANd aw, thank you! xx

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  19. One of the things (out of many wonderful things) I can count on in a Hank Phillippi Ryan book is layers, layers of story and layers of the characters' development. I can see where an outline might serve to constrict that. With an outline, it's like painting a tree where the tree trunk is there, with its big limbs, but all those little fascinating branches aren't reached. And, Hank, you always fill out the tree completely. I'm sure it didn't take your editor long at all to see what was missing. As I said in my review of Her Perfect Life, you never disappoint me.

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    1. Awww...thank you! You are AMAZING and I am so grateful. xoxooo

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  20. This is hilarious - to me - as you absolutely described my process. Except I don't ever leave my outline. Ever. I'm so glad you're closing in on the end. I can't wait to read it. I bought Her Perfect Life the other day and I CAN'T WAIT t read it. Congratulations on another amazing book, Hank! Roses and champagne all around!

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    1. Well, you CLEARLY know how to use that outline! Sigh. I am endlessly envious. And you have it??? Oh, hurray!!! Thank you! xxx (Finish YOUR book first...)

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  21. So nice to hear we share at least a basic technique or two; I *never* outline. I'm just OC enough to be locked in if there's an outline/structure to follow. I'd lose that "depth" too - and all the fun surprises and unexpected characters that make things interesting. Kudos to your editor...and to you, Hank, for recognizing it!

    Not that I would expect anything less. Ordering "Her Perfect Life" now.

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    2. Oh, thank you so much, Cyndi! oxoxo. YAY. ANd yes, we are sisters!

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  22. Hank, our sweet friend Kaye's post reminded me of the lovely email you replied to back in 2011. I had written to thank you for not only entertaining me but brightening my dad's hospital & rehab stay in Dallas after his first big stroke. I was reading Prime Time, and since Dad was a big reader, I read it aloud to him, which made the time pass much easier. I'll always be grateful for that! P.S.-The only thing I can't recall is why I encouraged you to wear the "rose-y gloves" for some holiday?! Wonder what that meant, but you said you took them out of the box and at least put them on your dresser. Now have no clue! Anyway, I try to save important emails and glad I found it. Good luck with the latest WIP--I'm a "gardener" too! xo

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    1. This is so lovely, and touching, and I love it so much! My mom had sent me some rosey suede gloves, with roses appliquéd at the edge, and I was too afraid to wear them, because they were so pretty and so delicate and fragile.You have a wonderful memory, and I treasure this!

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  23. Congrats on Her Perfect Life. Can't wait to read it!

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    1. Oh, Debra, you are a dear and treasured friend. Thank you. Xx

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  24. I think your editor gave you great advice. (By the way, I've already quoted you quoting George.) As you know, I'm an architect. But for each of the Kinship books, at least, I've written them THINKING I know, for sure, who the bad guy is. Then each time, I get to within 50 pages of "the end," and realize, nope. The person who I thought was the bad guy is not the bad guy. Or at least, is not the killer (or the sole killer.) And then I've panicked, and had to keep writing to figure out "the real end." (After that is all the revising, of course.)

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