All Write!!! It's Friday :)

11:39 AM Elizabeth Seckman 32 Comments

photo thanks to Brenderous on Flickr

Writers are always asking...pantster or plotter?

Okay, well, all writers are plotters...but do you write from the hip like a pen wielding cowboy with a draw as quick as a duel during a high noon show down or are you more like the neat and tidy sheriff with all your deputies in a row, warrant in hand?

Well, what if you're a bit of both?

Like me!

I have a basic outline, sort of...it's usually in my head. It's a generic sort of story will start here and end like this kind of thinking.

Then I get ideas for twists...and ideas for scenes...maybe even a bit of dialogue that would work in a passage...and maybe a chapter add on for a chapter that's not even written...yet. And then there's always the extra character who steps out from the crowd and says, "Hey lady, I need a bigger part."

So, in a flash...that neat outline goes from a prettily scripted black and white shoot out to a massacre as gross as a Quentin Taratino flick!

What do you do?

Darned if I know.

But I can tell you what I do...

I have one spiral notebook and a folder (you can even color coordinate them!) for each WIP.

In the folder...I can stash research, things cut from magazines, printed off the internet, or any other little loose items that may be used in the story.

In the notebook, I tab and separate it into sections:

an outline
a timeline
a character sketch with deets on each and every character
a simple summary of each chapter
brainstorming (all the possible what ifs and twists)
edit section (what chapters have been spell checked, line checked, etc.)
the blurb and tag line section...get a spark? Write it down...Fast!
in the back of the notebook...all the scribbles that may one day be the wee bit of literary magic that becomes your magnum opus.

This is how I do it.

It's not as pretty as a 1950's spaghetti western, but it doesn't make my brain hurt like a 1990's blood bath either.

How 'bout you? How do you keep things straight?

32 comments:

MorganSeptember 14, 2012 at 11:59 AM
I'm *such* a pantser... but I do outline a bit in my head... so yeah, I'm a little of both! And I LOVE the cowboy comparison! That was perfect! LOL!
Angela CothranSeptember 14, 2012 at 1:17 PM
I'm a scene sewer :) I write out of order and then have to sew it all together.
Kyra LennonSeptember 14, 2012 at 2:18 PM
I'm like Morgan - outlines in my head, then straight to writing! I very, very rarely write notes!
SuziSeptember 14, 2012 at 5:35 PM
I'm a pantser. I write down ideas in a notebook when they hit, but I usually start writing before it's developed. The characters take me where they want.
Kelley LynnSeptember 14, 2012 at 9:38 PM
Total panster here. I discovered yesterday that I think that's why I've only written in present tense so far. Because not even I know what is going to happen ;) haha.

Love this btw: And then there's always the extra character who steps out from the crowd and says, "Hey lady, I need a bigger part."

And thanks for the tshirt!!! It makes the perfect sleeping attire :)
Emily R. KingSeptember 15, 2012 at 1:40 AM
I work along the same lines you do, Elizabeth. I have to have a rough idea about setting, time frame, characterization, etc, then I let loose!

Thanks for sharing your system. :)
BrindaSeptember 15, 2012 at 2:50 AM
I think we are very similar in our organization except that mine is kept electronic rather than in notebooks. :)
Lisa ReganSeptember 15, 2012 at 10:46 AM
The process you described is exactly like mine! How uncanny. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your notebook idea with different sections. I might try it out on myself! Great post! Very helpful.
Tonja DreckerSeptember 15, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Ditto! The characters, main plot and several side plots are already outlined - but only in my head. When I start writing, the other stuff fills in itself, usually with turns I didn't expect.
Lynn(e) SchmidtSeptember 15, 2012 at 1:44 PM
My respect for you has just gone up 10 fold! That is sooo much work. I refuse outlines! Refuse! :)
cleemckenzieSeptember 15, 2012 at 7:49 PM
It's really hard to pin down the process. I see from other writers they have the same feelings. The only way I can write a book is to "see" and "hear" the characters. Then I have to know what they want and why they can't have it. From there it's a matter of putting the story down one chunk at a time.
Lydia KangSeptember 16, 2012 at 6:18 PM
I write a lot of stuff down and keep a notebook of all my notes. I'm also a plotter and pantser!
NasSeptember 16, 2012 at 6:47 PM
I jot down ideas and then try to work through them. I make notes while editing and then try to incorporate them in.
AnonymousSeptember 17, 2012 at 2:35 AM
I write chapter summaries on a spreadsheet. I still stray from it because I think of new subplots and twists and turns while I draft.
Chantele SedgwickSeptember 17, 2012 at 1:20 PM
What a fantastic idea! I've been trying to figure out how to get more organized lately. I may have to try this. I'm a pantser all the way, but I'm wanting to try plotting. We'll see... :) A little of both is good I think.
Annalisa CrawfordSeptember 17, 2012 at 3:05 PM
So organised. I'm currently trying to think of a title for my WIP, I can't move on without it... it's my 'thing', titles come first, and it grinds me to a halt without one. I'm working on short story revamps in the hope the title appears soon!