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:groan:
My brain just doesn't work like that. I get my best ideas when I just sit down and write. I have a notebook where I jot down ideas, but generally I only have a vague idea of how I'm going to get from point A to point B.
With my new novel, I'm trying to change my ways. I know that I will always be a pantser, as I'm not going to spend ten hours on an outline, but since I started using Scrivener, I've found that the outlining process doesn't have to be painful. I love how Scrivener is set up, as I can look at my novel on index cards, or organize my thoughts into an outline. I've always written in one long document, which can be a bit of a pain to make changes to.
With this new novel, I'm going to attempt to take my notes and turn them into chapter documents before I even get started. You write a synopsis for each chapter so when you need to edit or move things around, you'll know what each chapter contains. This will make the editing hell that I'm currently enduring for Positive Tension a thing of the past. Well, maybe not totally a thing of the past, but perhaps I will ascend to a higher circle of hell?
Are you a pantser or a planner? Do you think you could ever change your ways?
I am kind of half and half.
ReplyDeleteI start out a pantser, and write until I get stuck.
Once I get stuck I go back and write summaries for each chapter until I don't feel stuck anymore. While I'm outlining I always seem to learn new things about my characters and the story.
I'm half and half, like Sandy. I have to outline my world, characters, and a broad plot before I can start. But broad is the key! I start writing, and usually, my plot outline goes kerplunk after a few chapters. Then once I'm done with my first draft, I re-outline using my draft (I head each scene with a short description while I write it to help me do this later). It works pretty well for me!
ReplyDeleteI'm most definitely a pantser! I hate outlines with a furious passion. They seem pointless to me. I mean, if I can't keep track of what's going on in my story, why the heck am I writing it?! I'm writing roughly 7 books right now (and when I say "writing", I really mean writing out some silly excerpts here and there) but I can totally keep track of what's going to happen and when it's going to happen. Outlines are a waste of time for me...except in essays. Those darn essays will be the death of me someday, I swear! Only then do I use an outline. Other than that, we're mortal enemies! Haha! :D
ReplyDelete@ Sandy: that's a great idea about working on the chapter summaries when you get stuck. I might have to adopt that myself!
ReplyDelete@ Shallee: Also a great idea about heading each scene with a short description!
@ Savannah: LOL-I agree, I've always felt outlines are the enemy of creativity, but I have to admit that they come in handy sometimes.
I'm a planner that sometimes...slips :-D
ReplyDeleteI am glad I am not the only one who does not like to outline. Well I like to a little bit, but sometimes the outline makes it more intimidating for me to sit down and write. So Sometimes I like to pants it. Just depends I guess. Great post! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://danielledorewriting.blogspot.com