Today, for the first time I researched. Now I look things up all the time, how to make bread, can I really live off grid…..is this mouth sore herpes (don’t act like you’ve never wondered). Anyway the point is that I research all the time but in all honesty I’ve never researched how to write a novel. I always just assumed the story I wanted to tell would be like one long conversation. Plot points? pshhhhh. Character development? can’t you tell?!?! Climax? …hello that’s the ending. If you can’t tell, I literally had no idea what went into the dream I’ve so reverently claimed to be pursuing. So today I learned about plotting. Which began with me defining what a plot even is. Turns out the endless stories I’ve started and never completed have been nothing more than drawn out plot summaries, apparently I’ve been plotting for years. The good thing about this I was able to choose one of my plots and move on to….drumroll pleaseeeeee……subplotting!! yep that’s right, I’ve developed plots within my main plot!! unhuh, pretty impressive if i say so myself. Also I spent a lot of time developing my characters for this book and tomorrow I’ll be creating a detailed outline!! But all this started with me researching how to write a novel…..I feel like I’m finally ready to know. The story I’m choosing to tell first feels therapeutic and I hope it helps me release the feelings I’ve fought so long to not let consume me.