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Let's say I wake up at 3 AM and decide - this is it! I am going to write a book about a human raised by vampires! After basking in the glow of my brilliance (serious exaggeration), I decide to use my newfound energy and excitement to start planning.
Step one: Who is my protagonist?
- I know I've said it before, but I need someone who does NOT belong/thrive in this situation. In this case? How about a boy with hemophilia? A delicate boy, who is very scientifically oriented... Yes, I think that would do nicely. Let's call him Eugene for the purposes of this example.
Step Two: What is my plot?
- So I have a situation, but that's NOT a plot! What is going to be Eugene's problem he'll have to solve? And what will get in his way? Maybe His parents are framed for a crime by another vampire and he has to clear them. But to do that he has to come to terms with his disbelief of the supernatural and face his greatest fear - bloodletting.
- At this point I would try to write a one sentence pitch, followed by a summary, and finally the beat sheet from Save the Cat. That's all the outlining I do. And chances are a lot of it will change as I go, but at least I have a guideline to work with.
Step Three: Research!
- At this point I would research what other books are out there in this genre that might be good comp books. I might find out that *gasp* vampire books aren't selling well right now! In which case I might decide to change the whole vampire thing. But since this is just an example, we'll keep going.
- I'd also research any other real life issues associated with the book. I'd want to check out hemophilia for example to make sure I depict it accurately and without stereotypes.
Step Four: Other Notes
- I keep an extra file in Word with random notes I think of as I go. This might contain things like other character comments/ideas or world details. Maybe these vampires can go out during the day because of some of the scenes.
That's my process! What's yours? Other than more serious outlining, any big steps you'd recommend?
I do a lot of prep work too. I don't to as much research as I used to because i know much better after I write the first draft my exact needs - this way I don't waste time researching info I don't need. When I sit down I like to know exactly where my story is going - even if it changes!
ReplyDeleteI do a lot of this, sometimes over the course of a few hours, and sometimes over a matter of months. It depends on the project. I think there's also a certain amount of emotional gearing-up that happens--it takes a lot of sustained energy to write a novel, and I tend to write mine quickly, over the course of a few weeks, so I have to really be ready when I begin.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great list. The longer I write, the more I realize the value in prep work. I've been stuck with two separate MG manuscripts and I think it's because I've lacked the prep work needed to get to the meat of the story. Can you guess what I'll be doing after I finish edits on my YA ms?? :D
ReplyDeleteI'm a Pantser too! I usually start with a concept, and I have to feel out the characters, experiment with situations and dialogue until I know who the character is. I've also been trying to prepare a little more so I don't have to keep stopping to fill in research I easily could have done beforehand.
ReplyDeleteYep, I call myself a panster, but that's exactly how I do it, too! I've even gone so far as to write a "synopsis"--really just a blueprint. It makes a big difference on those stuck days. Just keep writing~ :o) <3
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! You're a fabulous Pantser, and I'm blown away each time I read your work.
ReplyDeleteOk, you're gonna laugh...each time I plot a book (yes, I'm a Plotter), I read through "Plot & Structure." Sounds lame, I know, but it reminds me of all the things I need to remember when plotting a book.
I also write scenes on index cards, and this gives me a good frame to work with in draft one.
I still call myself a "semi-pantser." I'm not sure if that's right because I've never written a story the same way. That is, some I make lists for, some I write the end first, some I write several scenes--all out of order. I can't stick with a system. This last one (hopefully to be out this year) I started by "seeing" the place the story would happened, then putting the characters into that place.
ReplyDeleteLoved reading about your starting system.
What a super process! Next time, I'm following your example. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa!
ReplyDeleteWell...I kinda went to the Dark Side and became more of a plotter than a pantser. I seriously used to fly by the seat of my pants and write, but here recently, by using the beat sheets and the like, I've become more of a plotter these days.
Now that doesn't discount the fact that even though I have *every* scene written out on index cards like Julie (then hung on an entire wall in our office - God love the hubs for letting me do that), I still tend to stray from that original plot. And that's just because it's not where the characters and/story feels it should go at that point in time. So I let it happen and enjoy my pantser while I have her. :)
As for research, I've learned to do very little of it (maybe only the absolutely-have-to-have-stuff) in the beginning, then I make notes throughout the first draft as I'm writing like: Research more on this town!, or find out the exact steps in expelling a ghost!. That way I can go back and fully research once that first draft's done and out of the way. It gives me time away from the MS while still contributing to its editing process. :)
My process is a bit like yours, actually. I get some of the big things formed in my head, jot notes on them, write a few beginning chapters experimenting with voice, try to plot the basics, and dive in. Sometimes I even figure out the ending as I go because I need to feel the characters first. They sometimes have a different idea about where the story will end up.
ReplyDeleteI don't do much in writing - but I do let my characters wander around in my head for a week or so as I get to know them. I tend to focus on 2 or 3 scenes then I go. I really like the idea of writing the pitch first - I think that's a good way to keep me on track :)
ReplyDeleteNormally I write very long, detailed summaries of my books, planning for months on end before actually writing them. I break a story down into 3 major parts, then into chapters and scenes complete with working titles and summaries. I know exactly how many chapters and words I will have when I'm through. I have written one novel with little if any planning as an experiment and it went just fine, too, though. Either way works for me.
ReplyDeleteYour post is very timely for me because I'm about to start brainstorming a new book. My current WIP is with beta readers so it seems like the right time. I'm excited because my first book took so long to write, so it's been a while since I started something new. I really should get my hands on a copy of SAVE THE CAT.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big plotter now, but it always starts with a Beat Sheet - which is a great planning tool! Save The Cat Strikes Back also has some great stuff in it. :)
ReplyDeleteVery timely post for me! Great tips! I pantsed my first two with just a premise and am about to start another but I wanted to do a little more prep using STC etc.... thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Laura. I don't do a whole lot of research until after the rough draft is done, then I know what to look into. I usually start with an outline but I've found somewhere along the way things just take over and the story happens.
ReplyDeleteI'm becoming plottier and plottier as I go. I do like a span of time where I "brain dump" with all the possibilities. Character always comes first for me, and then I like to use the Campbell hero journey as my basic structure. My last pre-planning phase is to add dimensioning to characters & plot before I let loose on the actual draft. Then all bets are off.
ReplyDeleteJeez, that's a brilliant idea, for just an example! Hemopheliac human raised by vampires? I'm tired of vamps, but I'd read that one for sure! Seriously!
ReplyDeleteI love the planning stage where anything and everything is possible. I follow your steps, but in more detail. Because I love working out the specifics. For my next project, I may even try using a bulletin board and index cards. I am a plotter who gives herself permission to be a pantser when it's time to write the first draft. For me, all the advance plotting acts like a safety net.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa - I'm so glad I read this post, because (and this might reveal a woeful ignorance of writing tools) I've never heard of Save the Cat. I Googled it and it looks interesting, so I'll need to check it out more.
ReplyDeleteI think author Roni Loren suggested somewhere on her blog to consider writing the synopsis as part of prepping. (Another reason for putting together the synopsis then is that it could be "easier" to develop in the beginning of the project vs. at the end). I'm still working on my WIP, but a few months back when I needed a break, I wrote a synopsis for my WIP's sequel. WOW! It really whetted my appetite to write AND gave me a lot of questions up front that I know I'll need to research and answer.
So that's what I'd add to the prepping pot: a first draft synopsis. :)
Thanks for your post!