Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) is a
really awesome meme that you should be doing along with the rest of us
writers. Unless you truly are happy with your writing and don't feel the
need to vent about your insecurities because they don't exist for you. But, really.... Don't they?
IWSG is hosted by Captain Ninja Alex at his blog, Alex J. Cavanaugh.
IWSG is hosted by Captain Ninja Alex at his blog, Alex J. Cavanaugh.
This month, my writing insecurity might be a bit unusual. I really don't know what to make of this one. My current manuscript is sort of forcing me to write it in an uncomfortable manner.
I know--how can a manuscript make you do anything? It sounds preposterous, but my current WIP just won't let me actually plan it out before I write it. My usual way of writing is to mostly plan the entire story, sometimes as I go, but I "pants" very little of my stories. But, this one. This one. Will not formulate in my head before I sit my butt down to write it. I can only say that this is terrifying!
Anyway, are there any pantsers out there who can give me some advice? I'm so freaked out that I'm going to end up staring at a blank page with absolutely nothing coming to mind. I mean, how can I write when I have no idea what to write beforehand?
How do you usually write your fiction? Have you ever tried a method opposite to your usual and learned to be comfortable with it?
I'm pretty much a pantser. Not a problem. I have a vague idea how I want it to go, but don't worry if it turns out differently. In my WIP, I was left ithout a villain after discovering that my intended villain was not so bad after all. So I had to go back and write in not get villain. And not her boy to the love triangle I never intended because I suddenly realised the heroine couldn't have the boy she wanted, he being a prince, even if long-lost, and she a peasant. But the book will be finished sooner or later. Write the ending and backfill.
ReplyDelete@Sue: Good to know.
DeleteThat is classical pantser behaviour. Don't be scared of it, embrace it. It will take you to new and exciting places in your writing and I think it often let's you write faster as well. I get the feeling this new tendency to not plot comes from a place of raw excitement in the story you're wanting to write. When you're so itching to just get it down that you can't possibly plan things. Even if you get stuck halfway you'll be so into it that some feedback from betas will help you back on track again. Go with it!
ReplyDelete@Lan: I really hope it lets me write faster! I need that, but will it let me write at all is the question. Not knowing what I'm supposed to write before I write it seems so illogical to me. I would think nothing would come of it, but people do pants their stories sometimes. I'll try to go with the flow. :)
DeleteI think that would freak me out as well. I spend as long planning the outline as I do writing and revising my manuscripts.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you will write the best story ever this way!
@Alex: Good to know other planners out there find this frightening, too! I'll just muddle through. :)
Delete@Alex: Glad to know someone else can feel my pain! It's pretty freaky....
DeleteUnfortunately, I have no advice, since I'm definitely on Team Plotter. But I wish you a lot of luck!
ReplyDelete@Cherie: I'm usually on Team Plotter as well, so I'm freaked. Thanks for the good luck wishes. Gonna need 'em!
DeleteMy creator was rather like this. When she wrote "Ahoy Gum Drop!" it actually set on the back burner (and almost caught fire, except that the burner was turned to off - and it really was, because her creative juices were off!) for a couple of years or more. She simply could NOT decide what it was that was supposed to happen in the story.
ReplyDeleteAnd, as unbelievable as it may sound now, she had no way meant to include me. ME! Leave me out? Astonishing.
So, since pantstering is not her style, she did nothing. After many moons, and sunsets, and yawns, and dawns, it hit her - not a lightning blog, but more like a lightning bug.
Ah ha - include I.B. Nosey, and everything will work out!
Heh heh. You believe that, don't you?
In any case, though it might seem maddening today, give it until tomorrow - or even tomorrow's tomorrow. But the plot WILL come. Just wait on it. :)
@I.B.: I think the term "pantstering." Very creative! Thanks for your advice. I'm glad your plotting creator let go of her set ways and let you come into existence. I might have to follow in her wild foot steps. ;)
DeleteIt's a strange process. Sometimes a story writes itself. Sometimes I'm plotting and sweating to get it right (but it's usually worth it in the long run).
ReplyDelete@Vanessa: Writing can be so odd sometimes. I guess you have to just do what the story demands, which sounds silly. Stories are not alive, so how can they demand anything? But, it is what it is, so I guess I have to succumb to it. Thanks!
DeleteI almost did a post about the same thing! I've been wondering if writers find they use the same techniques on every project or if some projects require a different approach. It seems you're discovering a new approach for yours. It's an experiment. Cool! Keep going, and I hope it works out for you! :-)
ReplyDelete@Lexa: Thank you! I guess it depends on the project. I never had this issue come up before, but it seems like I need to write this story differently from my usual way. Don't know why, but thanks for commenting. ;)
DeleteYou and I are total opposites when it comes to writing. I'm a black belt pantser and never try to figure out where the story is going to go beforehand. I may have a general idea, but that's it. And I never outline. Outlining gives me hives, lol! The only problem I have with being a pantser, is that it requires heavy edits after the ms is finished, at least for me. I think a lot of the edits could have been avoided had I plotted first... Anyway, don't fear about pantsing. You will have time to polish it up during the editing process. Just let your story flow through your fingers and onto the page. You're writing and that's awesome. Think of it as an adventure!
ReplyDelete@Elise: Then you might be the best person for advice on this issue! I need coaching on pantsing. I think because it is all about letting go of control, I just get scared. I don't want to not be in control! But, I like your attitude of thinking of it as being an adventure. I'll download that into my brain's hard drive. ;)
DeleteThanks for stopping by my blog yesterday. I appreciate it. I hope you're having an easier time with your writing. Just trust your words and let your writing lead. And if you get stuck, then try plotting some. I think the trick is finding what works for us. Good luck and enjoy your weekend! (:
DeletePart of me loves being in the state you describe. I've always felt my pre-planned plots were so flat, so utterly boring. But I find that as I write with those mile markers in sight, my story often takes unexpected turns that--if I follow--open so many exciting possibilities. Sometimes that means I get to my mile marker a little later. Sometimes I end up with completely new mile markers. Bit it's in those times that I realize, the fun is in the journey.
ReplyDelete@Jeff: Yeah, that's really a great attitude to have about it. The fun is in the journey, so you just have to let yourself enjoy it. I need to let go of my fear of not having control of the story and let it get written. Thanks so much! :)
DeleteThis sounds somewhat familiar to me :) It is kind of scary, but I find that the story just ... figures itself out as I'm going along! It's like traveling in the fog where you can only see a few steps in front of you: As you keep moving, more of the path is revealed. Sort of!
ReplyDelete@Rachel: That's great! I really hope my story figures itself out as I go along because I just worry about getting to a point where I'll have nothing coming to mind. Really scarey. Thanks for your help! :)
DeleteI tend to wait until I feel like writing before I actually go do anything.
ReplyDeletewww.modernworld4.blogspot.com
Ha! Stories and characters 'make' me do stuff all the time. LOL
ReplyDeleteDon't freak out. I'm not a true panster (I'm a hybrid), but I can assure that any manuscript can be edited. Don't be afraid to venture into uncharted territory. You might have to chop, piece, and polish a few things once you're done, but letting your muse have free reign often leads to some wonderful scenes. I say, turn it loose! :D
Great post. :)
August co-host and IWSG #110
I don't pants either, but I do have a short story, right now, that I have no idea where it's going. What I know is that I had the beginning in my head and needed to write it down before I forgot it; now, I have no idea what to do with it. I mean, is the tea pot good or bad?
ReplyDelete