Do you plot your story before you start writing it?
Or do you just dive straight into it?
Replies
Up until now I've written without plotting, just letting inspiration give me what it may. This meant that I would often have a string of great scenes that I wanted to include, but they needed intricate stitching together to make a whole. The end result for the longest story I've managed so far (30,000 plus for an older children's book) is something that I feel I've written pretty well, but I'm not sure it makes a perfect whole. I had to tie myself in knots trying to make it hang together reasonably well.
For my next attempt, I've written the first two chapters straight off to get the feel of it but am now gathering notes & thoughts before actually planning it out. I think it's probably a better method because, personally, I find when I've written something it's hard to see the piece differently. If I make a good plan I'll avoid lots of the pitfalls & false turnings I made last time (hopefully!). That said I'll still be happy to 'run free' with it when the mood strikes
I've recently discovered the word "Pansters", which I believe refers to those who write by the seat of their pants; what would have once been called stream of consciousness, I suppose. I'm most definitely not a panster, and the further I get into planning my story the more I'm sure I never could be.
I think anyone, regardless of how much time and effort they put into planning, should at least have a clear outline, if only of major events and plot points; it helps ensure the story has a proper beginning, middle and end, and is appealing and remains interesting to the reader.
For my part: I've been planning my current story for a couple of months, and have yet to write a word of the story. I'm taking time to develop the characters and then work through the full structure, ensuring I have well thought out scenes that build properly through each act and take the characters (and the reader) on a proper adventure. I maybe a little neurotic about it, but that's just who I am and I couldn't consider doing it any other way.
But I'm sure the Pansters out there will tell you that they don't need a complete plan, and I'm sure they're right; it's such a personal process and we each have to find the right way to go about it for ourselves.
Up until now I've written without plotting, just letting inspiration give me what it may. This meant that I would often have a string of great scenes that I wanted to include, but they needed intricate stitching together to make a whole. The end result for the longest story I've managed so far (30,000 plus for an older children's book) is something that I feel I've written pretty well, but I'm not sure it makes a perfect whole. I had to tie myself in knots trying to make it hang together reasonably well.
For my next attempt, I've written the first two chapters straight off to get the feel of it but am now gathering notes & thoughts before actually planning it out. I think it's probably a better method because, personally, I find when I've written something it's hard to see the piece differently. If I make a good plan I'll avoid lots of the pitfalls & false turnings I made last time (hopefully!). That said I'll still be happy to 'run free' with it when the mood strikes
Hi Maurice,
I've recently discovered the word "Pansters", which I believe refers to those who write by the seat of their pants; what would have once been called stream of consciousness, I suppose. I'm most definitely not a panster, and the further I get into planning my story the more I'm sure I never could be.
I think anyone, regardless of how much time and effort they put into planning, should at least have a clear outline, if only of major events and plot points; it helps ensure the story has a proper beginning, middle and end, and is appealing and remains interesting to the reader.
For my part: I've been planning my current story for a couple of months, and have yet to write a word of the story. I'm taking time to develop the characters and then work through the full structure, ensuring I have well thought out scenes that build properly through each act and take the characters (and the reader) on a proper adventure. I maybe a little neurotic about it, but that's just who I am and I couldn't consider doing it any other way.
But I'm sure the Pansters out there will tell you that they don't need a complete plan, and I'm sure they're right; it's such a personal process and we each have to find the right way to go about it for ourselves.
Mark.