A new feature on Future Imperfect for you! Have you ever wondered how exactly an author creates their work? Whether you’re a voracious reader or a fledgling author, here is the place to ask me (“The Author”) any question you want and I’ll answer with what works for me or what I’ve learned along my way!
Don’t be shy just ask away and I’ll try to respond as soon as possible! This is intended for both discussion and a bit of fun too!
pibarrington
5 Comments
Are you a “plotter” or a “pantster?” In other words, do you outline your books or write by the seat of your pants?
(FYI: I found your blog through LInkedIn’s “Book Marketing / Do you have a blog?” group.
A little of both. It’s a double rainbow format. The large top rainbow is the major overall story and theme (if you have one) and takes you from point A (story beginning) at the beginning of the rainbow to the top of it, point B (the dreaded middle) and to point C (the ending). The under rainbow is the action/plot/details of how the top rainbow gets done or accomplished. So what I’m saying is that I have a general idea of the story (always subject to change) as a plotter and then I write the details/plot//action as a pantser. Does that make sense?
A little of both also, probably more of a pantster – perhaps I should re-think it. I tend to frame the general outline and the story seems to flow from that point. That method does have two sides; it lends itself to thinking out of the box, but it can also block my writing if I’m not feeling very creative.
I usually have plane of where I want go, but the hard part is writing how the characters get there, and the story changes as it grows. I end up adding to many unneeded details and then adding story to make the details relevant. What I feel I should start doing is writing in episodes, so that the main plot doesn’t hold me back, but the main plot holds the stories together. I hope that will make the writing more enjoyable. The book moves to slow in-between the action, and that is not good.
jl,
First, thank you so much for commenting! I appreciate it so so much!
You might be making it more difficult on yourself by doing it kind of backwards. You should be writing with the details and then removing or enhancing them after the story is finished. You need to edit them out rather than adapting or forcing the story to work toward the details. If writing in episodes or scenes helps you then by all means do it. Personally it throws me off but I write linear–I start at the beginning and write straight through to the end. I’ve written scenes separately but it ruined my stories. Also are you talking your stories are slow between scenes or just the dreaded “sagging middle” that everyone experiences at some point?
And, don’t be afraid of letting the story run its course if it needs to; I find that something I wrote on the first page becomes pivotal the the plot later on–this is also called “pantsing” (writing by the seat of your pants, lol). You may need to plot out your story ahead of time to keep it on track and do not be afraid of that either! Many many authors do it so don’t feel you’re on your own or that it isn’t creative. It IS. You could write down plot of the story overall and then write the steps the character(s) need to take to get there. Giving the characters agendas also helps plotting: Character A wants his goal at the end of the story and takes steps to get there; Character B wants the same thing for different reasons and takes his own steps to get there. Those steps are the plot. Whether you write them first or during the story doesn’t matter, just whatever works for you!
Again, thanks so much for commenting!