One of the joys of novel writing–no, really, it’s a joy!–is remembering that, at least for me, every novel is different.

Different characters, different feel, different process.

I’m currently writing a new novel. I’m in that messy middle, where things aren’t coming together and I don’t know where I’m going. (About 40,000 words in.)

I spent much of today throwing out what I’d already written–completely tearing it out–and having to replace those words with new words.

I know what the next scene is. I can see it in my head.

I can’t for the life of me figure out how to get that character into that situation.

Normally, I “write into the dark.” I have no idea where I’m going. I just make up stuff as I go along.

For this novel, though, at this time, I’m going to need more planning.

I’m throwing in the towel for tonight. Tomorrow, when I get up, instead of trying to write more words, I’m going to plot out where I’m going. Because I think that’s what this novel needs, at this point. Just writing into the dark has had me stymied and throwing out a bunch of words.

So yeah. Every novel is different. The process is always different. And that really is a joy.

Once you figure out why you’re stuck.