with Karen M. Davis
Probably stating the obvious here but, to be clear, the definition of "flying by the seat of your pants" is deciding a course of action as you go along, using your own initiative and perceptions rather than a pre-determined plan or mechanical aids. Being a "plotter" is devising the sequence of events in (a play, novel, movie, or similar work).
While visiting rural towns and talking to book lovers around NSW on the Australian Voices in Print tour with fellow authors Jenn J McLeod and Tricia Stinger earlier this year, we were asked numerous questions. Of course that was why we were there - to share our stories and love of reading and writing - and I would say the most common question was about our writing process. Do you write so many words a day? Do you set a routine? Do you plot or fly by the seat of our pants? Interestingly, our three individual answers were different.
Jenn explained that she starts with a title, a leading character's name, an idea and then writes by the seat of her pants, goes where the words take her. She calls herself a pantser. Tricia has a vague idea of what the story is about but often doesn't know what will happen until she writes it. She sometimes changes her characters' names when she gets a feel for their personalities and admits to taking pleasure in picking unpleasant names - in her opinion - for unpleasant characters.
I consider myself a combination of a plotter and a pantser. I need a rough outline of what's going to happen because in writing Crime Fiction there is always a crime that needs solving. There are hints to be dropped, investigation details to explain, leads and breakthroughs to demonstrate, and then all loose ends have to be tied up, so some plotting is necessary. However, I don't start with a title, I begin with an idea - usually one I pull from my personal catalogue of experiences, and I build on it from there. I decide early on who my POV characters will be so the story can be told from different perspectives. I start off with a definite on who my bad guy/girl is and that usually changes along the way. While writing my second book,
Deadly Obsession, I began to like the bad guy so I switched that role to a character I didn't like. So as much as I do like to plot, I like the story to develop on its own also. Scenes constantly change as the story progresses and often, when I read over what I have written, I wonder where it came from. I'm guessing most writers can relate...
So what are you: a plotter, a pantser, or a bit of both?
I love to love to relax with a good book (when I can)
I love to laugh at funny cat video's
I love to learn about animals doing interesting things
I love the way people work differently, Karen. I seem to recall the great Emma Darcy outlining her new novel at an RWA conference one year, and people asked how it ended. She said, 'I don't know yet!' I love the fact there's no right or wrong way to write. And isn't it interesting that even when you do plot, sometimes your characters have w thing or two to say about themselves that you didn't expect.
ReplyDeleteHi Malvina, it is interesting the different way we all do things itsn't it? I think we can learn so much from each other that can improve our writing process. A writer friend told me recently that she collects pictures in a scrap book before she starts writing a new book to give her idea's and inspiration. I thought; how creative. I had never thought of that...
DeleteI've been using a Pinterest page to put together my characters and scenery for my next book. It helps when I'm stuck for a description.
DeleteI'm a bit of both. Cassandra Samuels calls it being an 'outliner'. (Please correct that if it's wrong Cassanra!)
ReplyDeleteI am definitely an outliner Dee. I need to have a vague idea of the main plot and some turning points but then I let them fly from there. I do usually have a fair idea of at least one of the main characters before I start. The character the book is going to be about and weave in the story from there. Probably not the most productive or fastest way of writing. I have tried plotting but then felt like I had already written the book and didn't get excited about writing it.
DeleteHi Dee and Cassandra, I like that and have not heard that term before; outliner. I can relate. It is sometimes a tricky balance getting organised in your head yet remaining creative and spontaneous, letting the story take you where it wants to go... And of course you have to be excited and enjoy writing it or there is no fun in the process.
DeleteI'm neither plotter nor pantser. I'm what is known as a 'scener'. I'll see a character doing something and wonder who he/she is and why they're doing what they're doing and the story builds from there in new scenes which appear out of order and which I then have to put together to make the book. The process usually involves an outline rather than direct plotting.
ReplyDeleteHi Enisa, wow that is interesting. I had never heard of a 'scener,' either. I'm learning a lot here... The way you describe seeing a character and wondering what they are doing sounds almost psychic. Amazing. Sounds like you are a scener and a bit of an outliner...
DeleteYes, I am a mix of both. And definitely character-driven rather than plot-driven. My characters follow the path they need to take rather than me directing them.
DeleteHi Karen. It is always interesting to see what readers will ask a writer. I know myself I am always interested in how others write.
ReplyDeleteHi Cassandra, I think if we weren't interested in how others write that would be almost unnatural. The more we know about different writing processes can only serve to assist our own I think.
DeleteHi Karen, I'm a plotter. I try to get to know my characters first, work out their GMC, then the setting, followed by major turning points. I guess it's obvious I spend a lot of time planning before I actually begin writing, which is why it takes me so long to finish a book. But it works for me.
ReplyDeleteHi Marilyn, that does sound like a lot of planning but you obviously have a good understanding of the characters, setting and direction of the story before you start. Interesting. It very clearly works for you...
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