Techniques For Shaping Fiction
Writing Exercise - Using Wall Space to Find Form in Stories
People rarely think of the physical work of writers as tactile in any way; usually, the soothing flow of ink and the smell and feel of the paper is about as sensual as it gets. But there is a way in which one can remove the seat of one's pants from the chair and work with pages on a broader canvas. By engaging in the use of space, a writer can break his or her work wide open, and see possibilities that eluded the subconscious while the writer was sitting at the desk.
Hang the Pages
One of the best ways to "see the big picture" is to get everything out in the open, where it can be observed all at once. A good way to do this with story or novel pages is to use a bare wall. The idea is to get all of the main components of a work in progress set up in a way so that they can be easily scanned and re-arranged.
The first step is to go through the written pages of the story or novel draft and cut them into units using scissors where scenes break (it's best to print out a fresh copy of the work for this). Staple together pages that contain one scene so they don't become separated from one another. Then, using tape or thumbtacks, attach the pages to a wall. Hallway walls are often excellent for this, as there are generally no obstacles, such as furniture or plants, for one to maneuver around.
A broad space where the writer can range freely and study the pages easily is best. If it is not possible to find a wall free of clutter or large enough, stretch a clothesline across the room and attach the pages using clothespins.
Allow the Subconscious to Work
Once the pages are hanging in the open, the writer can begin to work with them. It is best to allow the pages to hang for several days, studying them frequently. The subconscious will begin to see patterns and go to work, making connections that previously eluded the writer. It is then up to the writer to re-order the pages, adding in ideas for other scenes jotted onto slips of paper as needed.
When the pages fall into a form that feels satisfactory, they can be numbered, to keep them in order. The writer can then either remove all of the pages from the wall or clothesline and begin to re-write the short story or novel using the new structure, or remove the pages a few at a time, and continue to engage in the process throughout the entire re-write.
pages on a wall
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