Kristen Gwen“The more time I spend on the outline the easier the book is to write. And if I cheat on the outline I get in trouble with the book.” –John Grisham
“Outlines are the last resource of bad fiction writers who wish to God they were writing masters’ theses.” – Stephen King
With such contrasting advice, what is a writer to do? How do we find our process when famous writers from the plotting camp and the pantsing camp (who write by the seat of their pants and discover the story as they go along) are saying completely opposite things?
Finding my writing process has sort of been like finding the right diet plan. It seems like I’ve tried them all. Elaborate character charts, processes for going from one sentence to a full synopsis with character development in between, as well as throwing all caution to the wind and typing with abandon. Nothing seemed to really work. I ended up with a mess. My characters, with all their personalities and their need for growth and change, would not play nicely with the plot details I needed to happen for the story to make sense.
From Jeff Gerke’s Plot Verse Character, I learned that I was a plot-first novelist. Characters are cardboard at first as my mind thinks of fun scenarios and crazy things that could happen to my people—or animals, as the case may be. I thought that meant that I needed to work harder on my characters. But again, all that came out was mush.
I then discovered James Scott Bell’s book, Super Structure. LIGHT BULB!!
Bell’s process for figuring out what he calls the 14 sign posts has been revolutionary for me. But, I still held onto those character sheets—everyone said I needed them to write a good story—and, once more, ended up with a word jumble.
What was wrong with me? I knew I was called to write. I knew God gave me ideas. So why couldn’t I write a cohesive story?
Well, just like Elsa, I have learned that I need to let it go. I needed to let go of the idea that I have to make character charts. Because that’s not me. I only need Bell’s sign posts, and the characters grow around my plot. I figure them out as I go. VICTORY!
What about you? What works for you? Or are you still searching for your process, slogging through craft books as you try to discover how your writing brain works? If you’re still figuring it out, don’t give up. Keep experimenting and keep writing.
There are so many resources/methods out there. This is not an exhaustive list, but these are some that I’ve tried in addition to the ones linked above. (FYI: None of these are affiliate links. Just spreading the love.)
Learn to write a novel resource library–Susan May Warren
Snowflake Method–Randy Ingermanson
Story Trumps Structure–Steven James
Leave a comment below and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a free book this month. Happy Writing!
For the month of October, the winner is Janet Wadsworth. She wins Laurie Germaine’s Tinsel in a Tangle. Congrats, Janet!
Julia N. White
Michelle Kaderly Welsh
Misha
I am a somewhat inexperienced writer. I work better when I make a plan, and your tips on characters and plot help me a lot!
I’m so glad, Jillian! Keep experimenting to see what works for you. Keep it up, Writer Girl!!
Great post and so true. We all have our own style of writing. Like you, I’ve tried all the different approaches but I am more of a pantser than a plotter. I use character charts some but not the really detailed ones. They do help me nail down my character though. When writing my romantic suspense I discovered that I had to plot more and develop an outline. I think each project is different.
That’s true. Process could change depending on the needs of the story. So much to try and discover as a writer. It’s a journey, to be sure!
Part of writing is learning when to let go. Much of Mrs. Egan s and Mr. Kurtz s questions ended up revolving around either her reading group or when and how she knows when something in her writing is worth pursuing. When she s surprised by what she s written something I can very much identify with, like I wrote this!?! she knows she s on the right track. But one has to steel one s self; there s a mourning period when she goes over her hand-written manuscripts most of what s written is very bad and going to need a lot of work. Reminds me of a former teacher who told me that writing is like composting, you keep dumping shit on top of shit, but months later you ll return to find some fertile soil to work with.