I am such an plotter! I try to be a panster, I really do. It just doesn't work for me.
While writing my first book, Givin' Up The Ghost (which took me two years to name, by the way), I sped along, and I mean fast...for the first three chapters. Then I hit a wall - a really hard wall. I didn't know where I was going.
I was forced to plot and write an outline. I didn't like stopping the writing process to write an outline, but hey, I was stopped anyway, so why not?
I faced the same thing in BuNoWriMo with my second book, A Guilty Ghost Surprised. Three chapters into my 50,000 words, I hit another hard wall. Again, I didn't know where I was going.
Perhaps it's the mystery book thing - you have to give clues and red herrings and
So I took three days out of BuNoWriMo to write an outline, and now I'm sailing along again because I know where I'm going. And the outline was fun to create and gave me a feeling of great satisfaction and even relieved my stress over not knowing where I was going. Pathetic, I know.
Here's what I did:
- Research (yes I had to research online for cases similar to mine - except the real life version didn't have ghosts, as far as I know.)
- Every scene is numbered and double-spaced, so notes could be added easily as I go along.
- I began with a list of victims, suspects, witnesses, clues, theme, summary and twist.
- I wrote a list of necessary scenes, clues and red herrings.
- I put in days and dates (my first book became very confusing because I didn't pay attention to timing).
- I color-coded. I highlighted dates in yellow, clues and suspects in red, paranormal/ghostly activity in green, love scenes in blue and mishaps in pink so I could locate and reference information easily.
- I circle the numbered scenes as they're completed.
How do you work? Plotting Outliner or Panster? How do you design your outline?
I'm a pantster but I have to say your outline sounds awesome. Really the only way to write is the way that works best for the author and the story they're telling.
ReplyDeleteS.P., you're right, it's all about what works:)
DeleteI couldn't write without an outline, although I don't number or color-code. However, the outline for my BuNo manuscript was about that long!
ReplyDeleteAlex, the more thorough the outline, the easier the writing, I'm finding:)
DeleteOh how I wish I could plot like that! I'm a pantser. Even the most general of outlines is thwarted when I start writing.
ReplyDeleteChristine, isn't it funny how very different people's minds work. I wish I could be a pantser.
DeleteI'm a plotser. I start with the idea and scribbled notes. Then I do a skeletal outline. Then, as I write, my muse tends to hijack things and send me on detours - hence the 'pantser' part - but always brings it back to the right direction to the get to The End. Along the way, I've noticed drafting a query can help tweak direction as well.
ReplyDeleteAngela, I'm sort of a plotser, too, I guess. I go on a lot of detours, and those are the best parts! You're the second person to recently say you write a query to keep on track. I might have to try that. Thanks!
DeleteI've tried both. Only plotting works for me. I get hung up on the timelines too if I'm not careful.
ReplyDeleteTonja, I'm with you - gotta plot!
DeleteWow! I wish I was a plotter like you! You're my hero! I love how organized you are. I am plotting more than I used to. I used to be a straight pantser, but I've been found myself doing more and more plotting lately, although nothing like yours.
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
Michelle
www.michelle-pickett.com
Michelle, how do pantser's keep everything straight? I wish I could fly by the seat of my pants! Just can't, lol:)
DeleteThere's too much division between plotting and pantsing. Writers just have to go with what works. I don't usually plot, but I do when it's needed.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I love highlighting. I do it in my books all the time.
Jeanne, yes, it's all about what works. And highlighting is pretty, lol!
Deletelove an outline and crazy good color coding! i need timelines & maps & character names & backgrounds & everything all laid out! things can and do change, i listen to the characters, but i need organization!
ReplyDeleteso i plot too, but you know what? when we make the outline, we are pantsing! brainstorming! seeing what will work and writing it down...everyone has at least a little pantster or plotter!
Tara, lol. I see what you mean, outlining IS pantsing. So plotters are pantsers, only on paper! I love that:) You're very clever.
DeleteI love these color codes! I am a visual person and these colors codes would be perfect for me. I could take this and run wild with it. Thank you so much for sharing:)
ReplyDeleteInk, you're welcome. It makes writing easier for me when I know where I'm going. And the color coding is just fun!
DeleteI am a pantser...which is funny because in my non-writing moments, I plan a lot. I have to-do lists (lots of them), I organize my time but in writing, I sit down and just write.
ReplyDeleteI do have in mind somewhat where the story is going, some of the milestones and when I do get stuck, I try to plan a little but I don´t use outlines.
I have no idea how my story will end :D
I love reading how others do it and I have to say your outline sounds quite amazing.
Oh and those titles? Love them! :D
Elodie, so pantser writing is a little bit of a rebellion, huh? LOL.
DeleteI have to admit, I so wish I could do the whole plotter thing. I just can't! It kills the story for me every time I sit down to write out an outline, and this clashes miserably with my uber-organized (well, attempt at uber-organized) real life. I've just had to come to accept that as much as I love color-coding things, it's just never gonna happen while writing...
ReplyDelete