A lot of times I know the story I want to tell. Often I'll write a vague outlines. But most importantly, before every chapter, I pretty much...stare. Scribble a couple of things. And then, when I know what I really want, I spill. (I have been known to suddenly shout things when driving a car/staring at my computer: YES! YES! OF COURSE THE MAGICIAN KILLED HER!!!! etc.)
But they are talking back. Mrrrrrrrrrrp has to be translated as 'I really like your use of metaphor in the last paragraph, keep up the good work' otherwise why do the kitties hang around?
I "explore" the characters/world/story until a structure forms, then I explore the structure until a story forms. Then I explore the story until it feels full and complete. THEN, I polish scenes and make sure they're focused and pretty n stuff. :) *weird* *explores a lot* (exploring to me means lots of freewriting and writing scenes and snippets and ideas--all in the shape of chapters an scenes--until I know where I'm going.)
I've been doing combinations of lots of things--some where I have a general sense of plot and just let it flow, some where I've written up a loose structure (not chap. by chap., but highlighting the big plot points), and some where it's totally organic.
Most of the reason why I don't try for total structure is because by the time I get to chap. 3, it all goes out the window, anyway. :-D But some general idea helps keep my eye on the end results so I have a reason for forward momentum.
My something else is atmosphere. I always have in mind a particular feeling I want to recreate and that's what I begin with. Plot generally happens by chapter 5 and if not then it can be faked :P
Which is why I get a little annoyed when people see me compulsively plotting and declare "You MUST write without any idea of knowing what you're going to do!"
Yeah. Only with me I get annoyed when people see me flailing along and declare "Flailing is bad! You should know every scene before you start."
I make Sims models of my characters and their houses. It's important to know these things.
I wrote Mysterious Paris totally structured, but mostly because it was the only way I thought I could write the first draft in 30 day. (Yes, nanowrimo (http://www.nanowrimo.org)) I so much had to stick with the structure to finish, that when 40-50% through I realized I would have to change the whole beginning and give a much bigger role to a minor character, I didn't make the changes, because I wouldn't finish the first draft on time. So for the second draft, I chucked the first 25% of the book and did major rewriting stitchery with the next segment.
For my previous attempt (Science Fiction Fantasy), I had moderate structure, and ended up with major surprises. I'm a lot happier with that work, but maybe because I'm getting sick of Mysterious Paris?
Your question is definitely one I've been pondering. My thoughts for revisiting Science Fiction Fantasy are to do a bunch of planning (mostly character worksheets and working out themes) and then deciding if I want to totally structure the book.
It's hard for me to answer the poll because every book I've written is different--but usually they fall in the range of "An idea where I'm going but off the cuff" to "Mostly structured but with room to breathe".
Some idea of where I'm going, mostly off the cuff, but before I start cuffing it, I take time to get to know my characters and setting really well. Then I can make the plot up as I go along and don't tend to get as panicky along the way.
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stillsostrange) wrote2005-07-06 08:01 am
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If only I'd known! IF ONLY I'D KNOWN!
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Why are we always the last to know, Jodi?!
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Most of the reason why I don't try for total structure is because by the time I get to chap. 3, it all goes out the window, anyway. :-D But some general idea helps keep my eye on the end results so I have a reason for forward momentum.
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Yeah. Only with me I get annoyed when people see me flailing along and declare "Flailing is bad! You should know every scene before you start."
I make Sims models of my characters and their houses. It's important to know these things.
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In other words, I have no idea. Where's the box for "Screaming, flailing and without grace"?
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For my previous attempt (Science Fiction Fantasy), I had moderate structure, and ended up with major surprises. I'm a lot happier with that work, but maybe because I'm getting sick of Mysterious Paris?
Your question is definitely one I've been pondering. My thoughts for revisiting Science Fiction Fantasy are to do a bunch of planning (mostly character worksheets and working out themes) and then deciding if I want to totally structure the book.
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