As I worked the jigsaw, I noticed the image developed similarly to the process of writing a story’s first draft.
First, I sorted the pieces by edge, color, and pattern, somewhat like creating unique characters.
Next, I assembled the outer edge, defining the size and shape of the puzzle. This step suggested the delineation of the story’s plot.
Then, I put the easy parts together. The distinct sections of color and pattern (such as the park, the roof of the of the National building, the Novel building’s upper brick floors, and the shaded street between them) supported the image within the puzzle frame like a skeleton. The supporting structures reminded me of a story’s key scenes, sometimes called tentpoles.
I fleshed out the gaps in the skeleton with supporting scenes: the ubiquitous yellow expanses and the striped façade of the National building.
All that’s left is the tedious, solid-colored gray road. I enjoyed the puzzle until I got to the drudgery of this last step.
Just like writing.
Developing a plot, creating characters, and writing key scenes get my creative juices flowing. But by the time I get to the last steps – editing, revising, and polishing – I’m not as excited.
I may not finish the intersecting gray roads, but my publisher has given me a generous new deadline to finish the third Detective McGregor book.
