A few of my readers have asked me what the deal is with my ‘Improvised Story’ that I’m doing in my Facebook Group. Allow me to explain.
Improvised Story is glorious. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 10 am and noon. I post a new chapter (sometimes a partial chapter) of the story of Jax and Harmony in my group. So, going chapter by chapter, it will take about a month to finish this book, updating a few chapters every week. You know, like how old periodicals used to deliver chapter by chapter stories of James Joyce novels.
Wait. Mickey, I don’t get it. What do you mean, the story is “improvised?”
Essentially, the ‘improvised’ part means I’m making it up as I go. Or, since I turn around and take suggestions from my readers after every chapter, WE are making it up as we go. It’s a fun, interactive way to create a story. And I definitely use the suggestions I get as much as possible.
How’d you come up with the idea?
In one of my nine lives before I started writing romance, I wanted to be a professional improviser. I live in Chicago so it wasn’t hard to take a class on the art of improvisation. It’s a little crazy, since sometimes we might get the suggestions ‘washing machine’ and have to turn that into a half hour show. But, the fun is really in the challenge. I wrote my book Ten Night Stand as an improvised story as well. I won’t write every story like this, because half of the fun of writing is surprising my readers. But on the other hand these stories can be quite fun to do. Writing is a solo activity–and this is one way to engage my readers regularly.
Does it get tough trying to come up with something?
I’m of the school that I don’t believe in writer’s block. What we call writer’s block is really just fear of what we’re writing, and of course I’m often afraid of what’s going to come out of me when I write! On the other hand, this is actually a great way to get out of my comfort zone as a writer and try some new things.
For example, for this book I had my readers help me with the character charts for Jax and Harmony. We even voted on the names! And it came out that Jax is a little standoffish and jaded, whereas Harmony is mousy and a fantastic guitar player.
Where are you in the story right now?
Jax was feeling really down, and he decided to head into this random bar on the outskirts of town. Harmony was playing guitar inside, and he felt lifted up hearing her voice. It was exactly what he needed to feel better. Then, Harmony’s ride ditched her, and Jax said he’d take her home. She was a little apprehensive about getting on the back of a stranger’s motorcycle, but she took her anyway. That’s where we’re at!
Want to join in the fun of the improvised story? Join my Facebook Group and leave your comments when the chapter is posted. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10 a.m. (central time). I’ll also be having people vote on some of the outcomes and actions that happen, through the week!
Mickey Miller is a member of RWA and a romance novelist who agrees that romance is the genre of love and hope.
You can read his books on Amazon here.