Angela Scott
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I wear my pants proudly! (To plot or not to plot?)

3/6/2013

40 Comments

 
There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.
-- W. Somerset Maugham
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I've been asked several different times, "What is your writing method? Do you plot or do you write by the seat of your pants?"

My writing method is simple, really. I just sit at my desk, make sure my favorite diet caffeinated beverage is at my side, make sure my beta fish is fed so he doesn't stare at me as though he wants to eat me (his bowl is on my desk...dang it, he's staring at me right now. See pic below), then I place my fingers on the key board and mumble inside my head, "Please, oh please, oh please!"

That is it. That is my whole writing process in a nutshell.

All of my books have been penned this way. I don't have one scrap of paper with a plot or idea or a character sketch written down. Not a one. For me, the idea of actually writing ANYTHING down on paper, or using the Scivener software  to plan out my novel, just about gives me an anxiety attack. Extreme, I know, but I have no other way in which to explain it.

Okay, maybe I do. I would describe it like this: you know when you put your head under water and for the first little bit it ain't so bad? Then after a few seconds you're like, "I don't think I like this. I think I like air better. I want air. I REALLY want air. I NEED air! I need it soon! GIVE ME AIR! I think I'm dying!" That's kind of like the feeling I get when it comes to plotting and outlining a novel.

I've taken several writing courses where the push has been to outline. What's going to happen first? What will happen next? How is it going to end? What are your character arcs? If I'm being honest here, which I am, then this is usually the part of the class where I take a nap or draw a picture while everyone else is scribbling away.

Now don't get me wrong, I do have some basic ideas or story lines in my head before I begin. And then in between writing I do a LOT of daydreaming. Tons. I love daydreaming. Wait. What were we talking about? Just kidding. I think about my characters and about my story all of the time, but I never write anything down. You want to know why?

Because things change.

There have been so many times where I "think" I know where the story is going only to end up having a character do something RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of writing a scene that changes everything. She's pregnant? What the heck? I didn't see that coming! Cool. Or, as in the case of my current work in progress, Nuns with guns? That's awesome! Thank you muse! 

Characters show up out of the blue, twists and turns happen that I didn't plan for, and the story takes on a life of its own. (See DESERT RICE, for example). So why in the world would I EVER want to change that? I don't. I won't. I can't. This writing by the seat of my pants works for me.

No, it's not perfect. Far from. I think because this is my method of writing, I tend to be a slow writer. I find myself swimming around in the writer's block abyss from time to time. But even knowing that sometimes there will be struggles, I still don't think I will ever try and write an outline. *shivers*

Writing, for me, is magic! Getting to see where the story is going as I write it is such an amazing feeling, one that I would never want to risk losing. Is it possible to plot and still experience magic? I'm sure other writers do, and I would never suggest that one method of writing is better than another (though I know many writers and one very stubborn/non-writer type husband that thinks there is). Do whatever works for you. If writing everything down on index cards works for you, then do it. If staring out a window is your thing, do it. If eating chocolate and drinking Pepsi is a must have (don't judge me), then go for it. Whatever process works for you to make sure you produce the best work YOU can, then do it.

Plot away and create binders of character sketches and arc outlines, go for it! But while you do that, I'm going to eat leftover Valentine's Day chocolate and stare out my window for a little bit. Then I'm going to try and kill some zombies in my book and see what happens from there.

So what is your process? What works for you? Are you a plotter or a pantser or somewhere in between? Leave a comment and let me know you stopped by.

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This is my desk Beta Fish. He doesn't have a name. Help me name him. Give me a suggestion below in the comments. If your fish name is chosen, then you will win some lovely Swedish Fish (so yummy).
40 Comments
Majanka link
3/6/2013 02:10:01 am

I usually don't have a plot either, just a basic idea of where I'm headed. But sometimes the story gets too complicated, especially when I'm writing a mystery, and I need to set up an outline or character sheets to keep track of stuff - like when did that person die, and how, what was written there, what clues will I hand out first.

But I try not to use outlines, or as less as possible. While it's easier to write using outlines, they also limit an author's creativity.

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heather cox
3/6/2013 02:14:48 am

awesome post! i always wonder what the process is like for each person. i'm such an organized person i think i would have to write stuff down but your way sounds like so much more fun lol <3

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heather cox
3/6/2013 03:40:42 am

not sure if i need to put the name here or not....Audrey after little shop or Dinner

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Tracy Haidle
3/6/2013 03:26:39 am

What my sister said! This is a nice insider view! thanks. and I'm still thinking PLOT is a good name for your beta!

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Amanda Ray
3/6/2013 03:36:00 am

I think you should name it Stan. I'm too organized to fly by seat of my pants- I have to list, then reorganize the list, then go from there *sigh*

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Crystal Rister
3/6/2013 03:41:25 am

I am not a very organized person and am quite sure a fish would get lost on ly desk. Your preperations for your writing process is kind of organized too! I just kind of go with the flow, because sometimes things come to me later that I see fit to put in here or there. But since you have such a devoted companion to keep you company while you work, maybe we should name him Sir Fish Steve? He might like it anyway.

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heather cox
3/6/2013 04:14:17 am

ok......2nd and 3rd name i came up with: Dinner or Reader (get it? beta-reader?) *smh* lmfao

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mallory Rock link
3/6/2013 04:20:16 am

I love the Reader one. hahaha

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Amanda Ray
3/6/2013 04:15:55 am

Oscar works if you don't like Stan- Pinky if you had rather it be a girl

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Amanda Ray
3/6/2013 05:23:29 am

Walker, Zombie, Undead, Serendipity, Crypt~ these work too :-)

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Tracy Haidle
3/6/2013 04:17:06 am

another good name would be Walkers!

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Rebecca Fyfe link
3/6/2013 05:01:59 am

I keep wanting to be organized enough to outline my novels ahead of time, but it never happens. some of my best novels were written during NaNoWriMo where I just write as it came to me and let the story and characters lead the way.

As for naming your fish, I like elves, so maybe Legolas? ;)

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Froggy link
3/6/2013 05:41:10 am

Zombie, Zeus, Fishy

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Froggy link
3/6/2013 09:12:48 am

I had posted mine hours before on the facebook page :)

Here are some more choices... Inky, Wanda, Mercury, Glutton, Dori, Rarity, Onyx

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stormy day
3/6/2013 06:12:51 am

the fish are sweetish fish, i love those!!!

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Amy Taylor
3/6/2013 07:59:32 am

I suppose I would be a plotter, but I don't write books, I read them. I only say I would be a plotter because I love making lists and am alittle OCD about it. Naming your fish... hmm... Harry, Little A$$ Kicker, Rufus, Bernard, Barnaby, or Daryl.

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Crystal Younger link
3/6/2013 08:08:35 am

Darryl. Darryl the fish haha

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Crystal Younger link
3/6/2013 08:09:29 am

or Merl.....or Lil' Ass Kicker :-)

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Mallory Rock link
3/6/2013 08:24:12 am

I like these. :D

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Tawnya Peltonen
3/6/2013 08:25:42 am

You should name the fish Ferdinand (Ferdy for short). I think he looks like a Ferdy.

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Jeannie Platt
3/6/2013 08:28:21 am

Black Ice.. Cause it is Slippery and Deadly... Just like Mr. Beta fish is to other Beta fish

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Jeannie Platt
3/6/2013 08:30:01 am

You can call him Blacky or Ink Blot... I change my choice Ink Blot is a great name

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Lisa
3/6/2013 09:11:01 am

The incredible mr. Limpet.

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Marlena Fein
3/6/2013 09:11:41 am

Ughhhh I don't know where I fall. It depends on the day! I would definitely name Mr. Beta Bubbles. He looks like a bubbles to me. LOL The name above, Ink Blot, is really a neat name though and much more original than bubbles.
Good luck!
Marlena
charmedpoms(at)yahoo(dot)com

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nancy reece
3/6/2013 09:11:51 am

Mc Fishy.... Hehehehe

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Annah
3/6/2013 09:13:32 am

You should name your beta fish Alpha..because it would be ironic and funny lol.

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Olivia welch
3/6/2013 09:14:51 am

Hmm fish name... Icelina, Elsie, or cuddles!

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Penelope Anne Bartotto link
3/6/2013 09:15:48 am

Seat of my Pants writer usually --
Fish Name -- Trilllium

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rosemary pfeiffer
3/6/2013 09:16:18 am

hmm how about "Fire storm"..FIRE because he looks red.."storm" for all the mixed emotions that come from trying to write..

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Rachael R
3/6/2013 09:17:55 am

Unstable, Stalker, Sir Fernando Maxwell, or Zeus. :)

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Heather @ Redheaded Bookworm link
3/6/2013 09:18:47 am

Don't change a thing, I loved Desert Rice!!!!
As for the fish, you should name him.....Finn! Thanks!

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Alison Tortora
3/6/2013 10:42:40 am

I would name your fish Marlin or Buddy. Both loyal names there by your side while you are hard at work.

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Alison Tortora
3/6/2013 10:59:43 am

Loyal Royal if he's blue or Reliable Red if he's red. It's hard to tell his actual color from the pic. Both names describe him being by your side while writing. 🐟🐟🐟

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Christine
3/6/2013 12:00:07 pm

I like the name N-Chips. "This is my fish, N-Chips." Or maybe Stompin', in honour of Stompin' Tom Connors.

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Josette Schaber
3/6/2013 01:18:46 pm

I love the post! Thanks for sharing your process and thoughts. I'm not much of an outliner type personality either.

As for naming you fish... I think you should call him Alpha. I mean the poor thing is a Beta and I just think he needs a pick me up to encourage him to greatness ;)

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Raven Reviewer link
3/6/2013 07:46:51 pm

You should name her Penny. The fish that's always asking for a "penny for your thoughts". Or if the fish is male, you could name him Ed, short for The Editor [In Chief].

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Heather Coulter link
3/6/2013 10:13:46 pm

Muse or Mobster {as in your fish food if you don't write}

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Josette Schaber
3/7/2013 01:33:18 am

Hey, was just wondering.... did anyone suggest Fishstick? LOL I know Fish and Chips was thrown out there, but couldn't remember reading Fishstick.

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Charlotte link
3/12/2013 06:39:06 am

Your process sounds a lot like mine, except I have cats staring at me rather than fish. Don't have any clever names for the fish, sorry, but it looks like you've gotten some great suggestions!

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Phil M.
3/13/2013 08:46:58 am

Definitely a plotter. I find it easier to fix things in an outline than in a draft of a hundred pages or more. Makes the writing go much faster, too.

Fish name : Darth Beta

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