Pacing for Pantsers

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Before we begin: I'm guest posting on Elizabeth Craig's blog today on making paranormal believable, so please stop by and say hello!


Julie Musil asked "You're a pantser, so how do you know when you've got the pacing right, and where you need to insert plot points?

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Great question, Julie! First let me qualify that my process, like everyone, is probably slightly unique. When I started I simply started with a file filled with random notes/thoughts/names/etc. and jumped right in. Lately I've been using more of a format like the Beat Sheet from SAVE THE CAT. Either way, the outcome is the same. When I have the idea, I quickly realize that certain big "events" have to take place in order to tell the story. I also typically have a good idea how it's going to turn out. There are still plenty of opportunities for surprises on the way, trust me! 


These major turning points, whether named correctly or not, represent the major turning points in the story. If I have the right characters, and the right inciting incident, it works out. 


It's funny how the subconscious works as well. I recall one time where things seemed to be going too fast. But I couldn't exactly stop everything, or force non-essential material in. What happened? My character did the opposite of what I expected, which delayed the inevitable for just the right amount of time and built far more tension and depth than I'd anticipated. Voila! That's what's so great about really letting the characters fully develop. 


Hope that answered the question! I guess the point is that it falls into place one way or another. And when it doesn't? You can make it work. 

The Poetry In Writing Books

First I've been receiving some wonderful awards from so many of you I want to pause and thank you. Please go visit these wonderful people: Wub2Write, Nutschell, Margo Kelly, Misty Provencher, and the ever lovely Susan Kaye Quinn who celebrated my niceittude on her blog with several others. *Blushes*

Now! On to the meat of the post. Let's talk about poetry today. Why is poetry important? First check out the amazing C. Lee McKenzie's post on the subject that inspired me.

I won't restate Lee's post. What I will do, is apply it in my own way. I've always loved writing poetry. At times in my life when I've been besieged with emotion, I've put pen to paper and let the words flow.

How does this effect my prose? Of course I do my best to follow rules, and pay attention to things like plot and character arcs, etc. But truth be told in that first draft (remember I'm traditionally a pantser people) I write mostly by feel.* I just let it all bleed out. Then I can revise. But honestly, I believe the heart of my work comes when I am in this state.

What does this have to do with you? Especially if you're a plotter and write differently than I do? Easy. It's a gentle reminder not to forget the art in what we do. I keep hammering in the point on this blog that this is both art and business. But it is so important not to lose that drive - that LOVE - that makes us do this in the first place.

So do me a favor in honor of national poetry month. Go write something from your heart. Let the words fall onto the page without any internal or external editor standing guard. Allow them to spring from that fountain inside of you that made you start on this journey in the first place. It can be a poem, or a short story, or an entire novel. I don't care. Then cherish those words that came from your soul. Give them a hug. And remember your creative spirit.

*I hope you understand that I am not intimating that poets don't revise. That's not my intention. But to me, poetry is closer to that part of us because there is more freedom in terms of format and style.

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