Writing BENCHMARKS

By D.J. Williams

When I wrote my first novel, The Disillusioned, I was flying blind. I spent months dreaming of the story, and then weeks mapping out a detailed outline. What I didn’t realize was that I would spend more time reworking my outline than writing. I found that with each chapter the outline shifted. However, I was so wrapped up in getting it just right that I failed to understand how great stories evolve in the most unexpected ways. I needed to regain momentum and flow to push forward, but I felt stuck each time I sat down to write.

One night I was in my office staring at my outline. I knew the characters, and I knew the major plot points of the story. In that moment I realized that was enough. I set the outline aside and decided to allow my characters to guide the way. I can’t tell you how that one decision has shaped my writing. I know there are those who outline and stick with it, but I needed to change what wasn’t working.

Since that night there is one word that guides my storytelling – benchmarks. As long as I have the characters well defined, and keep the major plot points of the story in front of me, I can allow those benchmarks to guide me. The beauty is that when I shifted my approach during writing sessions my creativity grew as a storyteller. The characters set the course instead of being forced into a template that left me handcuffed.

With the release of my latest novel, Waking Lazarus, I look back and see how much more enjoyable the writing process has been. Even though I believe both stories are equally as suspenseful, as a writer I can say that shifting my approach to benchmarks has allowed me to be more productive and has fueled the momentum to chase the next story.

What is preventing you from writing your story?

What isn’t working during your writing sessions?

What can you change to fuel your creativity?

I encourage you to take time with the questions above. I believe the answers will allow you to fine tune your writing process, and allow you to continue growing as a storyteller.

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With the DNA of a world traveler, D.J. Williams was born and raised in Hong Kong, has ventured into the jungles of the Amazon, the bush of Africa, and the slums of the Far East. His global travels have engrossed him in a myriad of cultures, and provided him with a unique perspective that has fueled his creativity over the course of a twenty year career in both the entertainment industry and nonprofit sector. In this latest novel, Williams has written an epic global adventure filled with riveting characters and page turning twists and turns. Think Jason Bourne meets Homeland. It is a brilliant follow up to his previous novel, The Disillusioned, that garnered the praise of Hollywood’s elite, including Judith McCreary, Co-EP, Law & Order: SVU, Criminal Minds, and CSI, who said, “The Disillusioned is a fast-paced mystery…you won’t put it down until you’ve unlocked the secrets and lies to find the truth.” With the release of Waking Lazarus, Williams is once again capturing the attention of industry veterans including Peter Anderson (Oscar Winner, Cinematographer), who has already endorsed this latest adventure, “Waking Lazarus is a captivating visual story with a colorful narrative. Once I started reading, it was hard to put down.” Currently based out of Los Angeles, Williams continues to add to his producing and directing credits of more than 300 episodes of broadcast TV syndicated worldwide by developing new projects for television, film and print. My social media links are:

Web: https://djwilliamsbooks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djwilliamsbooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/djwilliams316

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djwilliamsbooks/

Outlining Versus Freestyle?

By D.J. Williams

The biggest question I ask myself when I begin to write a novel is whether I am going to spend the time outlining or if I am going to go freestyle. 

When I started The Disillusioned I spent days outlining to be sure that everything was mapped out before I wrote the first page. I thought this was the best way for me to work. What I discovered was that it slowed my creativity down. Spending all of my time outlining meant that I wasn’t writing. Sure, I was planning out the chapters but I wasn’t allowing the story to be my guide. My progress slowed to a snail’s pace and I grew frustrated that whenever I had a new idea or plot point I had to spend more time reworking my outline. Twenty chapters into the book and I decided to toss my outline in the trash. It didn’t work for me. I made a conscious choice to write towards zones, turning points in the story, and once I reached each zone I would then write to the next one. I stopped worrying about all the details and found myself lost in the story as I wrote late into the night. I gained momentum, spent more time writing, and finished my first draft.

As a writer, I’m still refining my process. What I have learned is that sometimes you have to break the rules to discover the excitement of telling your story. You’ll unlock pieces of that never would have made it into an outline because you had not lived with the characters. Of course, you need to have a beginning and an end before you start, but if you can discipline yourself to write to the zones in your plot then you may discover a more exciting, page turning, and story than you ever imagined. You have to ask yourself if writing freestyle is the best way to keep your readers engaged. For me, it seems to be the best way.

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D.J. Williams for the past sixteen years has worked in the non-profit and entertainment industry. He has produced media projects that have raised awareness to help those in need. With the DNA of a world traveler, Williams was born in Hong Kong, has ventured into the jungles of the Amazon, the bush of Africa, and the slums of the Far East, to share stories of those who are overcoming incredible odds. His first novel, The Disillusioned, released in May 2013. As an Executive Producer, Producer, and Director, Williams is part of a production team that have collectively produced and/or written over 400 episodes of broadcast television for SONY, The F/X Network, The Game Show Network, FOX Family, FOX Television Studios, Spike TV, NBC, ABC, and various cable networks worldwide. Currently they are the Creators and Executive Producers for shows in development with VIMBY (A Mark Burnett Company), Michael Maloy, Executive Producer of Extreme Home Makeover, and Australian Food and Entertainment celebrity, Nerida Conway. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djwilliamsbooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/djwilliams316

Website: http://www.djwilliamsbooks.com/