Hi there, guess what - I'm on vacation in Ft. Lauderdale right now and yes, I'm writing this in advance. [snicker] Surely you didn't expect me to miss my third Insecure Writers Support Group post. Hey, I'm nothing if not a planner...and that can be a problem.
I'm working on my first ever novel, a romance (with a dab of mystery) that is set in Montana. I wrote the basic outline in 1996, during my first go-round of fiction writing. I updated it and started writing, using Scrivener. I've been fortunate to connect with a couple of great critique partners (thanks to Rachael Harrie) and the feedback I've been getting is priceless.
As a novice writer, I'm know I'm making a lot of mistakes. All I do is write...spit out the words...without any thought to the basics: creating conflict, making sure a scene moves the story along, leaving the reader wanting more at the end of a chapter. I know I can go back and rectify all this but I also want to keep it in mind as I write new chapters.
How does this relate to planning and outlines? Well, as I edited my first chapter, I ended up with two more scenes. Moving into my second chapter, I added three new scenes plus four new characters crawled out of the woodwork. Now, after the critique of my second chapter, I realize I need to add a new chapter in between the two originals.
So I'm thinking I may be more of a pantser than I thought...it will be interesting to see how this all translates to my Camp NaNoWriMo in August when I'll tackle my mystery set in PA. I have a body, a location and some characters. No idea who dunit....LOL!
Oh, the 3P's? Planning, Pantsing and Polish!
PS. I hope you will all take a peek at my new blog, Write4Ten, where I provide a prompt for a ten minute writing exercise. It's fun, creative and won't take up much of your day!
I'm smiling right now (more of a smirk really) because I know just how you feel. All my life I've tended to be very organized (AKA control freak) but when it comes to writing, especially fiction, that all falls apart. Sometimes I have no idea where the words came from that just flowed off my fingertips. Nice to know I'm not alone! Have a great vacation from your retirement! :-)
ReplyDeletePlanning is too hard, and when I think of a scene in the moment I have to write it or I end up losing what I wanted convey, it doesn't feel fresh if I plan it a thousand ways and I just get lost with possibilities :) being a pantser forces me to pick a direction
ReplyDeleteAnd there I am trying to cut down on the number of characters in my own novel! Planning? All the best laid plans gang aft agley - at lease, mine do!
ReplyDeleteSounds like the project is clearer now than it was in 1996. I'm a plotster (plotter and pantser). I write my outline, then write all the scenes from that. Then I write all of the separate scenes to flesh it out and answer any unanswered questions so there are no loose ends, and add in romantic opportunities and mishaps. Crazy, huh?
ReplyDeleteHa! You sound like me. :P Great post. :)
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Thanks for stopping by and commenting...you know I love visitors. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm always adding things after the first draft. I outline, but I'm such a bare bones writer that I need to add some meat to the story after the first draft. Just think, Donna - most people have to take out scenes. We get to add them!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I hope you're enjoying your vacation. :)
ReplyDeleteJust popping over from Write Escape! I love you web page design. Such a cute heading!
ReplyDeleteIt is funny pulling out those old manuscripts and taking a peep. Usually, you see how far you've moved and can look at it with a much keener eye! I just did that with one of mine and thinking about jazzing it up a bit and see what can be pulled together. Still, there's nothing like beginning something completely new! : )
Wow! For a novice writer, you sound extremely organised!
ReplyDeleteAnd you seem so knowledgeable when it comes to social networking...
Feedback and the help of more experienced novelists is priceless. Don't rush things. Everything will come in its own time, and you'll be so proud of yourself. :-)
ReplyDeleteAgain, thanks everyone for stopping by...I appreciate the input!!
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