So where does that put me? Up the creek without a paddle, so to speak. I'm totally flying by the seat of my pants this time. No beat sheet allowed. And I'm finding something about this new approach that I really like. Many of you know I'm an obsessive jigsaw player. I've given up on the real ones, but the Magic Jigsaw Puzzle app and I spend a lot of time together. I am becoming quite adept at piecing things together quickly. The same is happening with my story. I've got my damp hero and heroine walking now instead of being on board, and they come upon a fort. It happens to be a Union fort, constructed in 1862. My hero was a Union spy who used to deliver intelligence to the fort, so they're granted access without question. I've got entire scenes from when they were aboard ship that I've abandoned, but there are bits and pieces of those scenes that, with a little tweaking, work well in the new story line. Just like my jigsaw puzzles, it's becoming less and less individual pieces with sharp edges, and is morphing into a discernible picture.
I never thought I'd be one to work by the seat of my pants. I know plenty of great writers who are pantsers, but writing historicals demands that research be done to make the story accurate. But this seems to be working for me for this story, anyway.
Sage advice. And that's what I'm doing. I'm writing the damn story.
As a pantster, I can vouch that it's a wild ride filled with unexpected twists and turns. But the writing's never dull. Good luck with your WIP.
ReplyDeleteThanks, CB. I love my feisty heroine, so I'm enjoying where she's taking the story. I find myself thinking of the next scene at the oddest times.
DeleteI've never been able to plot. I come up with a very general premise and characters and see what happens. As you said, sometimes the way you write chooses you. I have to be in the heads of my characters before I know what's going to happen. A lot of people use a more hybrid model, which is what it looks like you're doing here. Oh, and I've always written historicals or paranormal with historical elements, so that has nothing to do with it. You do your basic research and then research what you need as you go along. Good luck with your book. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary, for chiming in today. I'm enjoying this more loose approach to the book. After writing so many books where I had to write the synopsis first, this method is refreshing, if a bit scary.
DeleteI've always been a pantser. The one time I tried to plot out a story, it was the hardest one to write and I vowed never to do it again. Well, my pantser method is giving me a hard time now and wouldn't you know, I'm actually considering plotting. Sigh. I think it all comes down to listening to the muse. Good luck and glad it's working for you!
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, Jennifer. My heroine in this tale is not like any of the others, and maybe that's why I have to write this book differently.
DeleteI'm a plotter. Stories typically come to me in one big wave. I outline them out then fill them in. Sometimes it really is a struggle to get from point A to point B and then to point C without changing the structure but, for me, the struggle proves no less when I fly off course. I envy pantsers and their ability to "wing it." Good luck to you, Becky.
ReplyDeleteAmity, I've always plotted my stories out, as least in rough outline form and I knew where Point B should come in, etc. But this one has me going. I hope to wing it all the way to the end. I like where it is so far, anyway.
DeleteI loved hearing about your writing journey. My first book I was a pantser. My second book a plotter, and the one I'm working on now is a bit of combo which I think I like the best. However, the interesting thing I've discovered, none of the approaches have me writing the book any faster. :)
ReplyDeleteI kind of like the hybrid approach, too. Because I started this one out with plotting, I kind of know where the story should go, but my characters keep pulling me in another direction. It's exciting, and I hope that will come thru in the final product. Thanks for visiting, Allison.
DeleteI always end up cutting a lot of scenes when I don't plot, which annoys me for wasting the time, but it also gives me little tidbits for my website or newsletter. I'm frozen until I write a plot outline and a character type and arc. When I know what happens first, then next I can dive in. I will say, that once I get started, I smudge the lines and if the plot zips off in a better direction, so be it. But I have to BEGIN with a plan.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on that, Chloe. I need to begin with a plan, but in this case, the plot fell on its face and only began to zip when I kicked h/h off the boat. Now, it's zipping along just fine, and I'm able to weave in some parts of my wasted scenes, which makes it look like I'm tearing up the word count, but really I'm just picking up 500 here and there from what I'd done before.
DeleteLoved your post, Becky. I'm a pantser and have envied those who plot out their stories. That just isn't me. I do love when the characters take over the story, and at the end you wonder where the inspiration came from. Stay healthy and get stronger every day, one driveway at a time.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Barb, for visiting. Sometimes, the words flow, sometimes they get stuck in my brain. Just like with walking. Sometimes, it's easy, sometimes it's a struggle. Hope to see you soon.
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