First Draft Manifesto: Think Like a Pirate

I hit a crossroads today. Not like smashed the front fender off my van, mind you. Just barreled right up to a Y in the writerly road and stalled out, trying to decide which way to go. Should I follow the synopsis I've already written after much careful thought? Or do I throw it away and allow the story to zing off in a totally different direction? What's a writer to do when this happens?

Principle #4: 
Think like a pirate.

There are lots of things to admire about pirates, as long as you overlook their rank body odor and the fact that they slit throats and rob people. The piratey trait with the most takeaway value for a writer is that pirates aren't married to rules and regulations. Sure, they've got a code to follow, but in the words of Captain Barbossa . . .

"The code is more what you call guidelines, than actual rules."

When you set sail on the ocean of first draft, you have a destination in mind. There's a plan lurking about in your grey matter, a map for you to follow from beginning to end. If you're really a planner, you've even got a synopsis already written and know exactly how the story will flow from chapter to chapter.

But here's the deal . . . if you happen to come up with a better idea halfway through, it's okay to change directions. Sure, your story might not turn out how you expected it would, but that's okay. Don't put so much pressure on yourself to stay a certain course that you're not willing to explore a different direction story-wise. Some of the best creativity happens when least expected. Give yourself the elbow room to veer off course.