Back to doing what we love, and loving what we do, I am in
deep doo-doo preliminary plotting my next novel.
Some writers are pansters.
They write by the seat of their pants, and do not know where the story is
going. It is as much a surprise to them as it will be for the readers.
Some writers are planners.
They plot carefully before writing the first paragraph. They know every bone of
the story, and only need to do the work and flesh out the details.
I’m a rough planner. I know the general outline of the beginning,
middle, and end. I know little of the details, and the writing process offers
many surprises for me. But I always felt I needed a general arc and direction
before I so much as conjure the first sentence.
I considered doing it differently this time. I thought
jumping in without the safety net of an outline would be a challenge that could
revive the creative sprits. I wanted to leave the comfort zone of the tried and
true, and who knows--- Maybe the results will be truer than ever.
But I chickened out.
So here I am again, beginning to fill in the boxes of a rough outline for what I hope would
be a very good story. Only I feel somewhat defeated because, well, here I am
again.
Maybe next time.
Aw Mirka, you know your process and it works. I hope once the words start flowing you will not feel so defeated. May the mews be with you.
ReplyDeleteYou're an excellent writer, Mirka, so don't beat yourself up thinking your way is not the best for you. Nothing wrong, of course, with trying something new, but if it doesn't feel right, it's okay to stick with what works.
ReplyDeleteWow, Mirka. Seems like you have written many novels! Just cranking out one and continually revising has been plenty for me! I'm glad you have so many novel ideas! Write away!
ReplyDeleteIt seems everyone has a different method, whatever works for you is best. I usually have a very short thin manuscript with a beginning and end. Then I fill in the middle part. Might not be the best way, but it gives me a good base for revision.
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