I’m what’s
called a Pantser as far as writers go. I think of an idea for a story and I run
with it instead of doing an outline. It seems like once I come up with an idea,
each scene leads to another idea and scene. I know, in general, where the story
is headed, but I often change direction midstream. If I wrote an outline, I’d
end up having to rewrite it and rewrite it until I found myself out of story
writing time.
It works for
me, although others have a different strategy – they outline and do things the
right way.
Gin Mill Grill was inspired by a newspaper story from a vintage newspaper. I started
with a basic premise and built on it, keeping two word notes so I wouldn’t
forget little details later in the story. I guess I’m about as unorganized as
you can get. Again, it works for me.
Someone once
suggested using a board and writing each idea on a small stickie note and
placing it on the board chronologically. I tried that and ended up with so many
stickies that I couldn’t keep track of anything.
Try it. Maybe it will work for you.
Someone else
said they use an oversized calendar and write brief notes on each day. I tried
that, too, and it didn’t work for me because of changing directions so often.
Again, it might work for you.
I’ve written
two books where life got in the way and I had to set the manuscript aside for a
long while. Because I didn’t have an outline to refer to, I had to read the
entire story to figure out where I was. An outline might have been easier, but
in these cases I was able to pick up on some flaws before I started writing
again. It worked to my benefit and saved me time later in the process.
Sometimes as
I write, something insinuates itself into the story that I hadn’t expected. I
can surprise myself at times and then I wonder where the idea came from. Every
story idea is not cut in stone, at least for me. One simple idea leads to
something more involved.
I’ve even
been known to think of a title and then write a story to fit that title. One of
my favorites is the last book, Gin Mill Grill - A Sandi Webster Mystery. The story idea and the title
seemed to come simultaneously. A cold case from the 1930s? How appropriate to
include a speakeasy.
Well, those
are a few thoughts for today. If you’re a writer, what’s your process? If you’re
a reader, what first grabs you and encourages you to read a book? Title? Book
cover? Word-of-mouth? As a reader, word-of-mouth is high on my list of
enticements. If I’m shopping with nothing in particular in mind, the title
usually catches my attention. The cover would be next, and then comes the back
cover blurb.
Curious minds
(and some authors) want to know what floats your boat.
Until next
time, share the title and author’s name of a book you've recently read with friends. Word-of-mouth works.
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visit Marja McGraw’s website
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Marja,
ReplyDeleteI smiled as I read this post because my writing process is so different from yours. I am definitely NOT a pantster. I've tried it and, although I wish it did, it doesn't work for me. I need to create a chapter-by-chapter outline, listing what absolutely MUST happen in each chapter, before I can begin to write. Yes, the outline does change along the way but, without that guideline, I could never have written a single novel. :)
I wish I could do it your way, Pat, but I can't. I've tried it. I'm glad it works for you. Thank you for stopping in.
DeleteMarja,
ReplyDeleteI've tried it both ways and have come up with a combination that works for me. I start with an idea, write an outline of about 20 chapters that isn't particularly detailed, then I began to write--and always sometimes as early as the middle of the book, I find I'm going in a different direction. The way that works for you is the right way.
That's a good process, Dorothy. I should try it. At least I'd have a general direction. Thank you for stopping in!
DeleteI am both. If the story I want to tell comes from real events in my life, then I write an outline and try to get all the things I want to tell. If the story is purely imaginary, I write as a pantser although I jot down ideas that come to mind for future events in the story.
ReplyDeleteYou're smarter than I am. If I include a real life experience (with twists and turns), I depend on my memory. Thank you so much for stopping in!
DeleteMarja,
ReplyDeleteI've written both ways. Right now I'm working from a detailed outline. Still, I find myself occasionally having to pause after writing one sentence and research a minor detail. Or I want to figure out the best transition. No matter how much I've outlined, I still have to work out situations, etc. And, while working from the loosest of outlines, I've come up with the following scene easily. For me, it varies.
I'm glad you have options, Marilyn. I just can't seem to use the outline. So far I'm learning that more writers use both methods. Thank you so much for stopping in!
DeleteMy pleasure. I found it interesting that other writers use both methods, too.
DeleteI think our writing processes are nearly the same, except I keep pages of notes about each of the characters so I can go back to check on their physical features, where they came from, what they were doing at the time of the murder what their motives are, etc. My editor always sends me photos of what she thinks my characters look like, and most of the time she's right, LOL!
ReplyDeleteGood process, Evelyn. I type notes at the very end of my document or I'd probably lose them. I've never had anyone try to figure out what my characters look like. LOL Thank you so much for stopping in!
DeleteI'm a combo writer. Because my books have a limited timeline, I outline what I want to happen each day as opposed to what can happen each day. For instance, she can't go talk to the banker on Sunday, better figure out some other way to advance the plot.
ReplyDeleteGood process, Gloria. I can relate to your bank statement because I once had so many things happen in one day that the protagonist wouldn't have had time to eat, drink or take a potty break. LOL Had to fix that one and change a few things. Thank you so much for stopping in!
DeleteIf I knew everything in advance I'd get bored with the process. Like you, I have a general idea of where I'll end up, but I like the characters to surprise me and keep me interested in what's happening. It's like taste in books--everyone has their own preference. What works for you is what you have to do.
ReplyDeleteWonderful comments, John. I like my characters to surprise me, too, and what works for each author hopefully works for the reader, too. Thank you so much for commenting!
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