A Relative to Truth—The Process of Writing a Novel

When I began writing The Physics of Things, I had no idea where I was going, except I knew it wasn’t a standard mystery or thriller. I didn’t make an outline, determine tentpole events, think about character, story arcs, or saving the cat. Beginning this novel was more like a cosmic big bang with energy shooting across space in every direction than the quiet determination of a plot line.

Usually, I don’t begin with a theme or idea. A book starts for me as a movie running in my head or the voice of someone telling me a story. I’m like a butterfly hunter; I chase the story. My job is to capture that scene and pin the voice, the tone, the details to the page. What does that look like from the outside? My son says I sit in front of my computer with my eyes closed, and then with no warning, I type like mad for a minute. For more go to: A Relative to Truth—The Process of Writing a Novel