I’ve declared that I am most definitely a plotter. I outline, I character chart, I write as much about my stories, and the people in them, as I possibly can before and along the way of writing them. It makes it much easier for me to sit down and write when I know what’s coming. For instance, I’m currently finishing the first draft of my second Willoughby series book, I’m working on the second draft of a short story and in the back of my mind, I’m getting to know the characters of the upcoming next book. Mulling their pasts, their motivations, their histories around in my mind when I’m not sitting in front of the computer writing the other stories.
So when this plotter tried to pants her way through a story…well, I end up right where I am: Staring at the ending, rewriting it, because I haven’t figured out yet what that ending needs to be.
I’m currently finishing up a short story (about 70 pages, no more than 15,000 words) and my goal was to be finished with this story this week. Last week, I was trucking along great on my second draft. I knew some things would need to be changed because after I started the story (without an outline, without much more than knowing who the hero and heroine would be to each other), I changed elements. My CPs read the first few chapters, gave me input and I made some more changes. And now…I’m stuck.
I have no clue how to end this story. This is a lesson in why THIS plotter never pants her ways through stories anymore. I did in the beginning…that was how I started out. But I learned my own processes over time, and I learned that knowing more ahead of time is a better way for me to write. It allows me to write the plot as I’ve written and spend the time getting to know my characters even deeper. But when I’m writing about strangers, it feels awkward, stilted…and I get to points like now where I can’t quite figure out why my hero would do what he’s about to do.
For me, being a plotter isn’t about knowing the plot ahead of time (even though I do) because as I write, that can shift somewhat. Being a plotter boils down to the difference between writing about friends and writing about strangers. Normally, before I ever sit down and write the first chapter, I’ve spent weeks (sometimes months) living with these characters in my head. I get to know them. I learn about their histories, who they are, what they need… and how they would go about accomplishing those goals. They become familiar, so even when they do something unpredictable as I write, I understand why.
My short story was an idea that just popped in my head one day and because it was a short story, I figured I’d try just writing and see what happened. I did finish the first draft, but on my second draft , while making adjustments, I’m discovering that it’s much harder for me to write about characters I just don’t know that well. I’ve already changed a lot of the story and I’m left not really knowing the motivations of my characters as well as I need to. (Which makes it difficult to write for them…)
The moral of the story: Even if I try to pants my way, I end up doing the charts, the outlines and other aspects anyway.
What about you? Have you ever tried to write with a different process than normal? How did it work out?
12 comments
I did try a different way. With my first book I didn’t have a clue on … well on anything. So just started writing. Eight years later I was still rewriting the darn thing. I did sell it but it’s hard to call it a first book at this point because it’s more like the 8th book.
The second story I plotted. Wrote it in months instead of years. Anatomically it was correct but it didn’t have any life. I put it aside, I hated it. Did another one the pantster style and then went back and edited the heck out for previous one. A lot of people like this book the best and I think it’s my favorite or close to it.
I don’t think changing is bad and right now I think I’m not a pure anything. Guess whatever works.
I’ve tried to plot using Karen Wiesner’s method. I stopped right after the setting chart. I tried to plot that way because I’m always trying to cut down the time it takes me to write a book. The only thing I continue to use from that is the character chart, which makes things go much easier.
Plotting v. Pantsing. The age-old question 🙂
I have pantsed my way through five books and it seemed to be going really well, but I did realize that about half-way through each one, I got stuck too. Really stuck, it usually took me a few weeks to write my way out of it. And the last one I got so stuck…well it still isn’t finished.
So when I had an idea for a brand new book, this time I told myself to work everything out ahead of time. I outlined the entire story from beginning to end before I started writing, and so far it’s going really well!!
I think I might just be a convert. 🙂
Good luck with your short story!
Hey, Jeannie
I’ve been having a similar issue with my current WIP. Let’s just say… I plotted it, pantsed my way through a TOTAL revision. I had characters taking off, creating their own universe, and I (when usually I rein them back in) let them have at it.
I’ve been in rewrites on the first draft — I’m embarassed to say — since Memorial day. I was supposed to be DONE with the thing by now. And WHERE am I?
This morning I had my first 1000 words of pure plot progression. No kidding.
The best part of the revision was, before it went TOO sideways, I did manage to figure out what they wanted, and how they were going to work together to reach the ultimate conclusion. I also managed to keep a great deal of what I liked about the first draft.
Of course, now my other ending is trashed, and I’m 30 days out at 1k a day to finish the thing. LOL. What’s one more month in the grand scheme of things? I now have characters I love, a direction, and I know who-done it. LOL. Here’s to hoping I don’t leave too many clues this time.
Writing is ReWriting! Remember that!
~Ash
Jeannie, I love your description of plotting as writing about friends rather than strangers. I think that may be part of why I love pantsing. I really enjoy getting to know new people, learning what makes them giggle and why they cry when they do.
Having said that, and having done both plotting and pantsing, I prefer plotting for the simple reason that I love drafting and abhor revising. When I pants, I have do a lot more revising.
@Lavada — I don’t think changing is bad if it works for you. It doesn’t appear to work for me. LOL And I didn’t set out with the thought that I would “pants” my way through this story. I just wrote. But much of what I wrote that first time around is what has been tossed later, so for me, it’s not a very efficient way to write. LOL
I’m slogging my way through the chapters right now to figure out where I need to focus in on my character’s motivations and go a little deeper. Just hoping to keep with my deadline this week!
@Honoria — I don’t think I could really plot with someone’s method. Much of my plotting is random and I keep notes. I did create a notebook with areas to keep those notes, but as I work out the details, I just write as it comes to me.
I think it’s always fun to see different methods of plotting — the charts, the outlines, etc — because I always learn something from looking at what’s included. But ultimately, my plotting tends to be freeform synopsis format.
@JK – a convert!! LOL I’m interested to know how your writing goes! Be sure to keep us informed. 🙂
Hey Ash…Yeah, I haven’t really gone sideways yet as much as I’ve just kind of become like flat soda…LOL So I’ve actually started reading aloud…it’s helping quite a bit, actually. But my hubby is going to sit down with me tonight and see if I can figure out the last few chapters. So close!!!
Hey Katrina!!! See the learning about characters I like knowing ahead of time. I like having them figured out in my head, working my way through their history and knowing their backstories before I ever write a page. It makes me excited to watch the story unfold…even if I know the plot, learning the deeper motivations about why they do what they do often comes as I write. That’s fun (and it’s also why I like revising, too…because to me, that’s always about layering in the good stuff. 🙂 )
Hi, Jeannie. I was a panster through my first two books, but found I had to go back and rework things. Then I started writing the first three chapters, sort of getting to know my characters, and stopped and wrote a detail synopsis. Doing so gave me both boundries and direction. New elements still come up, but I find I’m doing less rewriting. Just layering.
Autumn Jordon
http://www.autumnjordon.com
2009 Golden Heart Finalist
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