Thursday, November 20, 2014

When a Plotter Tries to Pants It

I just finished the fourth of ten short stories for a Christmas collection I want to release next year. Three scenes. Forty-eight hundred words. It took me six weeks. 

Yes, you read that right. Six Weeks. How is that possible? 

It's because I tried something new. I got impatient with myself and my tried-and-true process of detailed pre-writing that includes a plot outline. After all, I told myself, it's only three scenes. I should be able to start with a couple of characters and a general premise and bang something cute out in no time. Everyone else seems to be able to do it, or at least they say they do.

For several years I've suffered from "pantser envy". So many writers talk about letting the story flow, letting the characters take over, being surprised by where their story takes them. It sounds so seductive, so creative. A few will admit this method slows them down or causes extra work during editing and re-writes, but most pantsers seem satisfied with their process.

I tried, and it paralyzed me. I found every imaginable excuse not to work. I knew the beginning and the end, but had no idea how to get there. Without an outline, the story refused to reveal itself. I hadn't done enough pre-writing. I didn't know my characters well enough to know what they wanted and needed.

Some writers say even the idea of an outline stifles their creativity. For me, it's always been the most creative part of writing. It's when I get to make the story up, visualize the whole thing, then write it down without having to worry about craft issues. It's formalized brainstorming, fast forward from beginning to end. When I've finished my outline, I know what happens next. For me that banishes writer's block. Small surprises pop up along the way, but they delight rather than paralyze me.

I thought I wouldn't need an outline for a short story, but apparently I do. I'd like to finish this short story collection and one complete novel by the end of next year. If I don't try to reinvent the wheel and apply a reasonable amount of self-discipline, I think I can do it. 

The moral of this story: Honor your own process; it won't let you down.


14 comments:

  1. My process may not let me down (in the long run!), but I still have "plotter envy." It would be such a treat to get to the middle of a book and have some teeny weeny little idea of where I'm going! :-)

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    1. Your books are lovely, Liz, without a sagging middle in sight. I'd say your method is right for you.

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    2. Liz, I know that scary 'middle madness' too. But the mere thought of plotting scared me more.

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    3. Amen. I'm a little over a 1/3 ways into a book and have no idea what's going to happen. Which means this one isn't going to be done when I'd hoped at all. So, I have "plotter envy" too.

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  2. Oh my gosh, Alison. I swear, I could have written this post (well, not because I've been brave enough to try to 'pants' it, but because that is exactly how I feel. I am very jealous of pantsers whose stories and characters just take off and flow. I WISH my characters would write my darned stories for me. :) Love, love this post. You are exactly right. While I do modify my process from time to time, I have found that plotting is my tried and true method, so I will have to stick with it. Best of luck with your goals!

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    1. I'm so glad I'm not the only one! So many days I feel like a lone plotter in the wilderness. LOL

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  3. I normally start with main characters and a rough idea for novella length fiction. I seem to be able to get from point A to point B without a complete outline if the book isn't too long. For full length works, especially suspense, which adds--well--suspense elements that have to be managed, I've always used an outline. Until my last WIP, which I just finished a few days ago. I got impatient and knew my basic premise, a cross-country treasure hunt with clues. Oddly enough, it came together without the outline. I was glued to my keyboard, wondering where the next clue would take my characters. It was pretty exciting. Still, I would have never dared try this process five or six books ago. I think I needed to write all those books to nail the steps of building suspense in my head. I'm going to give it a try with book 2 in this series. We'll see what happens. So (if you haven't given up and stopped reading by now LOL) there may come a time when you feel more confident about changing up your process. Never say never!

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    1. That's encouraging, Jannine! You're much more prolific than I am. Maybe I'll risk pantsing it again when I have more experience. I'd love to be so caught up in my story that I couldn't wait to find out what happens next -- and something would actually happen!

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  4. Alison - I am a serial plotter! Even in my personal life I make plans ( plots0 and lists for everything. Whenever I've sat down with just my imagination as my impetus, I always windup stopping and going back to write the plot first. I so relate to your blog today. BTW I , too, am a victim of workforce readjustment and at 54 have started on my third career as a novelist. It is my one true love and has been with me for my entire life. I wonder how many more of us there are out there?

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    1. Peggy, I'm so glad to hear from a kindred spirit! After nearly two years, I have yet to fully adjust to retirement from the day job. I tend to diddle around wasting time instead of approaching my writing with the same discipline I used in my job. Maybe next year! (she says with a hopeful grin.)

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  5. Alison, I'm a hopeless pantser who would break out in hives if I had to plot or outline a story before I began writing. So I feel your pain! I so appreciate your thought that we need to stay true to our own nature, after all, that's what makes our stories unique. Really enjoyed your post.
    Between The Pages

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    1. Linda, I love hearing about the different roads we all take to get to the same place - a finished book!

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  6. Enjoyed this post because I am both a pantser and plotter. Most short stories I write are definitely in pantser mode because I always know the beginning and ending. However, I start out as a pantser with novels--but because of the suspense, end up going back to do a synopsis for each chapter to keep the mystery details in logical order--and end up being a plotter. You are so right, do what works best for you as the writer.

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    1. Judy, I was sure I could "pants" a short story. Ha! I wasn't happy to learn I have to plot even something that short.

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