or, How I’m Still Learning from My First Attempt at Novelling - A post from the past! Here are some musing from 2017 about the novel-(re)writing process.
I can relate to every single word, Graham... I used to be a total pantser. It took me 20 years to write a 4-book series, going back in, rewriting, tweaking. I enjoyed the process so much I couldn't wait to go back in there, to the point that it turned into obsession. It was preventing me from writing anything else ... so I put a final dot on it and self-published, to get it out of my head. Best decision I ever made. That was 10 years ago. I don't pure-pants anymore but I don't outline either. I write a "guiding" document, a few pages of where I think the story might go, a few character descriptions, a rough timeline, and when I start writing (I have about 2 chapters very clear in my head), that entire "guide" starts moving in different directions, and that's the fun of it!
Sounds roughly how I do it these days. Over the years, I've come to realize that no matter how you start the story (plotting or pantsing), there needs to be a solid structure when you're finished. Lately, I've been -- I wouldn't say *planning* more, but realizing that I have to hit certain milestones along the way. Kind of like "planning" a road trip with no real destination in mind -- you still need to stop for gas somewhere! Understanding and watching for those beats or milestones along the way actually helps me make better story decisions up front. (Or, that's my untested theory at least -- the readers will tell me for sure later!)
Our next Writing Craft Book Club is talking about "Save the Cat! Writes a Novel", so I've been refreshing ahead of our Sunday meeting. It's very beats-oriented, and has helped me immensely -- and without forcing me to sell out my pantsing soul!
I always tend to ramble in a first draft. Then I make it tighter - measuring beats, I guess. I look at each chapter and summarize, sort of an outline after the fact. I don't believe in constant or ramping up action, it feels artificial, but something needs to happen emotionally...
I can relate to every single word, Graham... I used to be a total pantser. It took me 20 years to write a 4-book series, going back in, rewriting, tweaking. I enjoyed the process so much I couldn't wait to go back in there, to the point that it turned into obsession. It was preventing me from writing anything else ... so I put a final dot on it and self-published, to get it out of my head. Best decision I ever made. That was 10 years ago. I don't pure-pants anymore but I don't outline either. I write a "guiding" document, a few pages of where I think the story might go, a few character descriptions, a rough timeline, and when I start writing (I have about 2 chapters very clear in my head), that entire "guide" starts moving in different directions, and that's the fun of it!
Sounds roughly how I do it these days. Over the years, I've come to realize that no matter how you start the story (plotting or pantsing), there needs to be a solid structure when you're finished. Lately, I've been -- I wouldn't say *planning* more, but realizing that I have to hit certain milestones along the way. Kind of like "planning" a road trip with no real destination in mind -- you still need to stop for gas somewhere! Understanding and watching for those beats or milestones along the way actually helps me make better story decisions up front. (Or, that's my untested theory at least -- the readers will tell me for sure later!)
Our next Writing Craft Book Club is talking about "Save the Cat! Writes a Novel", so I've been refreshing ahead of our Sunday meeting. It's very beats-oriented, and has helped me immensely -- and without forcing me to sell out my pantsing soul!
I always tend to ramble in a first draft. Then I make it tighter - measuring beats, I guess. I look at each chapter and summarize, sort of an outline after the fact. I don't believe in constant or ramping up action, it feels artificial, but something needs to happen emotionally...