Comments on: Thriller Thursday: The excitement of plotting

By: Stacy Green

Stacy Green — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 19:58:08 +0000

In reply to Fallon. Thank you. I've taken a long time to learn how to do this. And I don't think the holes in our process disappear until we have a lot of experience. Good luck!

By: Stacy Green

Stacy Green — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 19:57:33 +0000

In reply to Catie Rhodes. I'm glad it was encouraging. Goodness knows it's been a long time getting here. And thank you!

By: Stacy Green

Stacy Green — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 19:57:09 +0000

In reply to Lauralynn Elliott. And that is what works for you, which is a great. I actually used to be that way, but the more I wrote, the more i needed a plan ahead of time. I would say just keep doing what feels right. Keep a notebook of ideas, index cards of possible scenes, but don't feel married to them. Good luck!

By: Stacy Green

Stacy Green — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 19:56:04 +0000

In reply to Karen McFarland. THank you. I am more content now than I have been for a while. Prioritizing has been a big help, especially with this blog. Just keep an open mind and you will do great.

By: Karen McFarland

Karen McFarland — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 05:20:26 +0000

Wow Stacy, you sound so content with yourself and your progress. Good on you girl! And it seems that we evolve as authors. There’s a learning curve for each one of us. I like to know where I’m heading, so I do plot. But that’s subject to change as ideas germinate. I love that process. Although I do get overwhelmed learning so much at one time. I’m in the baby steps program. lol. I’ll eventually get there. So happy for you! 🙂

By: Lauralynn Elliott

Lauralynn Elliott — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 19:58:20 +0000

I am a TOTAL pantser. This is why. When I sit down to write out an outline for a story, my mind goes completely blank. I can’t think of a THING to write. But when I sit down and start writing a story, the ideas start flowing out of me. I’ve even tried to plot the rest of a book after starting it. Again, my mind freezes up. I don’t know why this happens. The book I’m writing now has a more complicated plot than the other books I’ve written, so I feel a need to plot some things out and at least get a rough outline. So what have I been doing? NO writing. Since plotting has worked for you, I’m hoping it will for me at some point.

By: Catie Rhodes

Catie Rhodes — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 13:39:22 +0000

I am so glad you posted this. It’s informative and encouraging. (Even to me, your critique partner.) I am glad my advice has been a great help to you. I’ve learned a lot from you too–from perseverance to writing better characters. 🙂

By: Fallon

Fallon — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 12:55:48 +0000

I love that – “let the book tell you how it needs to be written.” I think I’m still trying to find the best way of outlining/plotting for me. I have my process, but there always seems to be holes in it still. And sometimes I still need to learn to be flexible.