To Plot or not to Plot...That is the question - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T01:32:17Zhttps://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:126543?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A126779&xg_raw_resources=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI agree whole-heartedly with…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-01:537324:Comment:1276482008-03-01T18:54:18.086ZDonna Carrickhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DonnaCarrick
I agree whole-heartedly with Jim. Also, Jim, you used a word that we, as word-smiths, must never neglect: Visualise. Whatever 'method' we use as writers, we at all times need to have a VISION. Whether that vision is pre- or post-plotted is far less important in my opinion than whether the vision has strength and clarity.
I agree whole-heartedly with Jim. Also, Jim, you used a word that we, as word-smiths, must never neglect: Visualise. Whatever 'method' we use as writers, we at all times need to have a VISION. Whether that vision is pre- or post-plotted is far less important in my opinion than whether the vision has strength and clarity. Joe: It's my belief that writ…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-01:537324:Comment:1275852008-03-01T15:58:29.530ZJames R. Bennhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/jimbenn
Joe: It's my belief that writers are either pre-plotters or post-plotters, to oversimplify. Some can work before they write to chart out a plot, and see all the possibilities clearly. Others have to be engaged in the writing process, working with a basic idea and letting the story emerge. Both likely do the same amount of work. The post-plotter will have to go back and revise dead ends, plant clues, and generally work on consistency once the plot emerges. The pre-plotter has done that already.…
Joe: It's my belief that writers are either pre-plotters or post-plotters, to oversimplify. Some can work before they write to chart out a plot, and see all the possibilities clearly. Others have to be engaged in the writing process, working with a basic idea and letting the story emerge. Both likely do the same amount of work. The post-plotter will have to go back and revise dead ends, plant clues, and generally work on consistency once the plot emerges. The pre-plotter has done that already. I think it has to do with the different ways in which our brains process information and visualize the results. If you start in the pre-plotting mode and get a headache staring at a blank piece of paper, it's probably not for you. If you quickly start charting out characters and relationships, then you found your way.<br />
<br />
I happen to be a post-plotter; I know what the story is about, but not the details of plot twists. So I tend to have a lot of balls in the air plot-wise early on, and then as the desired plot path emerges, I have to go back and fine tune things. Neither method, in my opinion, is better or worse; it's just a matter of when you do the work.<br />
<br />
Good luck,<br />
<br />
Jim Hi, Joe,
I'll start by repeat…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-01:537324:Comment:1275712008-03-01T14:56:44.256ZDonna Carrickhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DonnaCarrick
Hi, Joe,<br />
I'll start by repeating what everyone else says -- do whatever works. Some people find arduous outlining becomes an excuse not to write, others find that some level of plotting helps them to stay focused and energized.<br />
<br />
As for me, I've done it both ways, (writing that is ;=) and enjoyed it both ways. My heavily researched Gold & Fishes HAD to be outlined and plotted to the end to stay 100% true to actual events and circumstances as they unfolded in the news that came out of the…
Hi, Joe,<br />
I'll start by repeating what everyone else says -- do whatever works. Some people find arduous outlining becomes an excuse not to write, others find that some level of plotting helps them to stay focused and energized.<br />
<br />
As for me, I've done it both ways, (writing that is ;=) and enjoyed it both ways. My heavily researched Gold & Fishes HAD to be outlined and plotted to the end to stay 100% true to actual events and circumstances as they unfolded in the news that came out of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. However, my novella The Noon God flowed directly from my heart, not to sound too corny, and everyone who read it gave it very high marks for smooth flow and tight plotting. So it can work either way, depending on the needs of your story and your own best work methods.<br />
<br />
My most recent manuscript was only loosley outlined, but having said that, I will confess that I completely wrote the last chapter first. I knew where I was going from the beginning, and never altered that last chapter even a little at any point. I am still in love with that last chapter. It was in front of me the whole way through my 100,000 words, like a light shining at the end of a tunnel, and it kept me fresh and motivated every day.<br />
<br />
Happy Writing, whatever method you decide on!<br />
Donna Carrick<br />
<a href="http://www.donnacarrick.com">www.donnacarrick.com</a> For all the recent short stor…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-02-27:537324:Comment:1268832008-02-27T19:53:01.564ZVincent Holland-Keenhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/fiskerton
For all the recent short stories and scripts I've done, I mapped out every scene in advance. When I went back to novel-writing, I thought I might do the same, but nope, I ended up plotting only a chapter or two ahead. That said, I don't think I'd ever start a story now without a pretty clear idea of where it was going and what the ending would be. Even if I don't know exactly how I'm going to get there, I need to know the destination, even if for no better reason than making sure that I'm…
For all the recent short stories and scripts I've done, I mapped out every scene in advance. When I went back to novel-writing, I thought I might do the same, but nope, I ended up plotting only a chapter or two ahead. That said, I don't think I'd ever start a story now without a pretty clear idea of where it was going and what the ending would be. Even if I don't know exactly how I'm going to get there, I need to know the destination, even if for no better reason than making sure that I'm setting my readers' expectations to be appropriate for the ending. If they spend the whole book expecting a stunningly dark conclusion and I give them a lamely cheerful one, I figure they'll be more hacked off than if I pointed to the lamely cheerful denouement from the start. I do a detailed outline, and…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-02-27:537324:Comment:1268292008-02-27T18:42:59.399ZNeil Whitehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/NeilWhite
I do a detailed outline, and on those occasions when the next bit isn't mapped out, I feel a bit rudderless and don't know what to write. I don't necessarily stick to the outline, but if I do deviate from it, knowing where I am going back to helps me. The best analogy I can think of is that I know my journey, and although sometimes I take a scenic detour, I still know my ultimate destination.<br />
<br />
Each to their own, I suppose. Some people like to see the story evolve, some people like to know where…
I do a detailed outline, and on those occasions when the next bit isn't mapped out, I feel a bit rudderless and don't know what to write. I don't necessarily stick to the outline, but if I do deviate from it, knowing where I am going back to helps me. The best analogy I can think of is that I know my journey, and although sometimes I take a scenic detour, I still know my ultimate destination.<br />
<br />
Each to their own, I suppose. Some people like to see the story evolve, some people like to know where they are going. For me, not having an outline slows me down. so true! Ideas just come to m…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-02-27:537324:Comment:1267792008-02-27T14:09:48.991Zcarole gillhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PhyllisDietrichson
so true! Ideas just come to me without an outline! I agree.
so true! Ideas just come to me without an outline! I agree. The one novel I wrote with a…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-02-27:537324:Comment:1266802008-02-27T00:57:37.368ZJohnny Ostentatioushttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JohnnyOstentatious
The one novel I wrote with a detailed outline turned out to be a real piece of shite -- very stilted. I now always write with just an idea and go from there. Some novels go no more 50 pages before I trash it, if it ain't going anywhere. On the plus side, when writing freestyle, ideas come up that never would have hit me in an outline.
The one novel I wrote with a detailed outline turned out to be a real piece of shite -- very stilted. I now always write with just an idea and go from there. Some novels go no more 50 pages before I trash it, if it ain't going anywhere. On the plus side, when writing freestyle, ideas come up that never would have hit me in an outline. Start without plotting first…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-02-26:537324:Comment:1266512008-02-26T22:04:28.389ZJohn Dishonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/whiteskwirl
Start without plotting first since that will get you writing faster, and if it doesn't work for you, stop and plot it out. Might be a good way to find which way you like best.
Start without plotting first since that will get you writing faster, and if it doesn't work for you, stop and plot it out. Might be a good way to find which way you like best. Everyone is different. I have…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-02-26:537324:Comment:1266162008-02-26T17:20:16.631ZDana Kinghttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DanaKing
Everyone is different. I have a hard time writing anything without a pretty good idea of where it's going, so i tend to plot thoroughly.<br />
<br />
If you're not sure which you prefer, Patricia Highsmith came up with a good compromise. Outline several chapter ahead of where you are. it provides structure, but there's still the spontaneity of not knowing exactly what's going to happen too far in advance.
Everyone is different. I have a hard time writing anything without a pretty good idea of where it's going, so i tend to plot thoroughly.<br />
<br />
If you're not sure which you prefer, Patricia Highsmith came up with a good compromise. Outline several chapter ahead of where you are. it provides structure, but there's still the spontaneity of not knowing exactly what's going to happen too far in advance. oops I realize now that I've…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-02-26:537324:Comment:1265702008-02-26T12:35:44.080Zcarole gillhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PhyllisDietrichson
oops I realize now that I've been up for a few hours that I didn't answer your question!<br />
I suppose for plotting, as Helen said--you should make a detailed plot with character bios.<br />
I suppose if I were plotting I might cut the book into thirds: first third you're setting up your beginning action. Middle--it's no going back and end==you're setting in motion events for the climax.<br />
write your idea out, and then break it down bit by bit. see if that's any help.
oops I realize now that I've been up for a few hours that I didn't answer your question!<br />
I suppose for plotting, as Helen said--you should make a detailed plot with character bios.<br />
I suppose if I were plotting I might cut the book into thirds: first third you're setting up your beginning action. Middle--it's no going back and end==you're setting in motion events for the climax.<br />
write your idea out, and then break it down bit by bit. see if that's any help.