Comments on: The plot thickens!

By: Carol J. Garvin

Carol J. Garvin — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:00:21 +0000

I think Annette describes my situation exactly. I’m posting today about the frustrations I’ve encountered when trying to write with an outline… losing my enthusiasm (Annette’s fire) in the process. Maybe I’m trying for too much detail or control over the story. Hmmm, more to think about.

By: Kathleen / KatieDidDesign

Kathleen / KatieDidDesign — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:18:15 +0000

I wonder how many multi-published writers follow this pattern that so many of us are… starting out as a pantster, realizing that writing-by-the-seat-of-our-pants exposes our weak areas, and realizing that plotting is necessary to some degree. And then, I wonder how many, once those weak areas get stronger and become more natural, are able to go back to pantsting. (I think I just verb-ified a made-up noun!)

By: Iapetus999

Iapetus999 — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:44:52 +0000

Well it’s a plan…and you know what they say about the best laid plans…
I’m not following any specific plan…just what I think may work.

By: Melanie J

Melanie J — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:27:42 +0000

I was definitely a pantser for my first two manuscripts but I’m having such a hard time starting my third one that I think I’m about to become a plotter with plot storming sessions and everything. Yikes. I have a character but I have no idea where she’s going, which is…problematic.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:08:36 +0000

@Kathleen—Yeah, I think with a short story, you don’t always have to plot. A lot of the time, a short story is only one major landmark, and if you know that’s there, the rest might not be necessary. If you come up with any questions later or anything you’d like us all to ponder, let us know!

@Andrew—I did see your post today and I meant to comment (kids. sigh.). Good luck with your outlining! That’s a bit more than I can do (at that point it does start to kill the story for me), but I know that works for many people, so I hope it works for you! In fact, I just remembered one of the plotting methods I’ve used before that is very similar, and I was going to write about it. Awesome!