In the post, you mention "save the cat". For a pantser looking for a tool to help them sculpt their creative outflow and/or shift toward "guided pantsing", I suspect "save the cat" is a recipe for frustration. It's too detailed and too prescriptive. As an alternative, I've found Dean Koontz's classic story structure (just four parts) helpful.
But what do I know? I'm not a pantser trying to learn a bit of the plotter's sense of structure; I'm a plotter learn to trust his inspirational pants. (And that's probably as far as the pants metaphor should be stretched.)
I use it after the fact. Even though I love pantsing (and can't plan...), the story needs to fit into some sort of structure -- the "beats" -- before it's finished.
I'll explore this idea more once I get through this novel. But in the meantime, I experimented with some pantsing stuff at the writing retreat this weekend, which I'll talk more about in the next post.
Thanks for the tip on Kootnz's book -- I haven't heard of that one before! I'll add it to my list -- any help I can get... lol
So much to discuss in this article I don't know where to start! For now I just wanted to say thank you for an honest and fascinating exploration of a central question in writing fiction. More like this please!
I used to be a total pantser but after getting lost in the maze and battling the saggy middle a few too many times I've become a hybrid. I don't outline but I tell myself the story in a rough couple of pages. That serves as a guide rail... that I then proceed to ignore when the writing builds the story as I go. Never ending exactly where I thought I would and discovering new characters on the way. That's definitely the fun part of this gig!
Wow, yeah -- that sounds something like "guided pantsing" where you at least start with a map and a direction, but you're not afraid to wander and smell the daisies as you go! I love that idea!
But then, I like any idea that keeps us writing. And keeps us having fun!
Thanks for the insight -- I'll put that one on the pantsing/planning spectrum!
"Guided pantsing" is the way of the future! My publisher is a good friend of the master storyteller Philip Pullman, and he once told me that Philip does use a 'beat sheet' - except it's in his head. That is to say, he sets off knowing the dramatic highpoints of his story, but the narrative as a whole is fluid and free to follow its own trajectory. That way it stays fresh and alive and exciting to writer and reader alike. Another way to put it, and one of the best pieces of advice my publisher ever gave me, was that the writer should endeavour to stay "one step ahead of the reader, and one step behind the story". Thanks again for the great article
I actually have a post in the works about using the synopsis as a way to discover what your story "is". Not in the beginning, like you're describing, but for when you get stuck. I used that technique for my current WP with great results.
In the post, you mention "save the cat". For a pantser looking for a tool to help them sculpt their creative outflow and/or shift toward "guided pantsing", I suspect "save the cat" is a recipe for frustration. It's too detailed and too prescriptive. As an alternative, I've found Dean Koontz's classic story structure (just four parts) helpful.
But what do I know? I'm not a pantser trying to learn a bit of the plotter's sense of structure; I'm a plotter learn to trust his inspirational pants. (And that's probably as far as the pants metaphor should be stretched.)
That's a good point, Lance!
I use it after the fact. Even though I love pantsing (and can't plan...), the story needs to fit into some sort of structure -- the "beats" -- before it's finished.
I'll explore this idea more once I get through this novel. But in the meantime, I experimented with some pantsing stuff at the writing retreat this weekend, which I'll talk more about in the next post.
Thanks for the tip on Kootnz's book -- I haven't heard of that one before! I'll add it to my list -- any help I can get... lol
This LinkedIn post gives a a very succinct explanation of Koontz's structure.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/plot-your-novel-like-dean-koontz-russel-brownlee/
So much to discuss in this article I don't know where to start! For now I just wanted to say thank you for an honest and fascinating exploration of a central question in writing fiction. More like this please!
Glad you like it! I endeavour to keep 'em coming... lol
I used to be a total pantser but after getting lost in the maze and battling the saggy middle a few too many times I've become a hybrid. I don't outline but I tell myself the story in a rough couple of pages. That serves as a guide rail... that I then proceed to ignore when the writing builds the story as I go. Never ending exactly where I thought I would and discovering new characters on the way. That's definitely the fun part of this gig!
Wow, yeah -- that sounds something like "guided pantsing" where you at least start with a map and a direction, but you're not afraid to wander and smell the daisies as you go! I love that idea!
But then, I like any idea that keeps us writing. And keeps us having fun!
Thanks for the insight -- I'll put that one on the pantsing/planning spectrum!
"Guided pantsing" is the way of the future! My publisher is a good friend of the master storyteller Philip Pullman, and he once told me that Philip does use a 'beat sheet' - except it's in his head. That is to say, he sets off knowing the dramatic highpoints of his story, but the narrative as a whole is fluid and free to follow its own trajectory. That way it stays fresh and alive and exciting to writer and reader alike. Another way to put it, and one of the best pieces of advice my publisher ever gave me, was that the writer should endeavour to stay "one step ahead of the reader, and one step behind the story". Thanks again for the great article
It mostly works, lol. And the guide rail is a good start on a synopsis... that horrible thing agents and publishers ask for!
I actually have a post in the works about using the synopsis as a way to discover what your story "is". Not in the beginning, like you're describing, but for when you get stuck. I used that technique for my current WP with great results.
Good idea!
This seemed very heartfelt Graham, good luck in your retreat.
Thanks Tom! I'm looking forward to the retreat!