Penyanyi : Plotting by the Seat of My Pants
Judul lagu : Plotting by the Seat of My Pants
Plotting by the Seat of My Pants
Pantser…Plotter, hmmm?
I’ve only tried to write by the seat of my pants twice. My first book was built off a short story called DOUBLE ENTENDRE. It fizzled out midway, mostly because I got a FT job. (My first after college). My second attempt, which was pounded out during lunch hours at that FT job and after work til 1 am, was TAKE ME IN YOUR HEART. Which ended up being the book I contracted with Trisk called TIES OF VALOR. (We all know how that turned out.)
From that point on I decided I didn’t want to be in total limbo and that I didn’t want to wring my hands over what might happen. So I started to learn about the W plot. Now every time I start a book I brainstorm a few plot points, then plug in what I have. That way I know if I have enough of what I need, especially conflict! Of course all romance should not only have an action W but also a romance W.
Then came the fateful day when I went to my first RWA Chapter meeting in Raleigh, where I was introduced to Deb Dixon’s GMC concept. I left with my head about to explode. (But I had found writing friends, yeah!) I can’t say that I ever fill out Deb’s charts, because it stresses me out! However I am mindful of the pieces and how they connect. That day I also learned about the Hero’s Journey. As soon as I saw the outline, I knew that’s how I wrote. TAKE ME IN YOUR HEART came out just like Deb’s handout blueprint, which of course had me stoked!
I can’t say I’m a freak about plotting, because I still love to be surprised. I put down the main points that need to happen, then fill in the rest as I go along. And I usually do a chapter outline as a cheat sheet, but it occasionally changes (just like those dreaded synopses!)
I also used the color coding technique for characters when I did TIES OF VALOR’s massive revisions. As it turned out Awyn became yellow. I have no idea why, other than it showed up well on page preview. Zara was lime green. (I know, I know. I should’ve switched them.) I used this technique because when I wrote TIES OF VALOR, the entire book was in Zara’s POV. Back then, that was the “hot” thing. But today, writers usually have to show the male POV. So I had to try to bring those halves into tune. I did pretty well, I’d say.
Since that time, I’ve also learned about using grids with sticky notes to plot. Though it will take up a bit of room (especially posted on a wall) I think it might be worth it. I’ve also heard one writer say she used a desk calendar for her grid because it has the correct number of blocks for a single title. Lord knows I have enough stickies lying around to color everything including the appearances of pooches and kitties that make an entrance.
After this tally I guess I fall into the plotter fold. Does that make me a stick in the mud?
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1 Response to "Plotting by the Seat of My Pants"
Hi Skylar, hope this comment doesn't get eaten.
You're not a stick in the mud. Whatever works for an author and her story, that's all that matters!
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