Wednesday, 12 August 2009

#4 Writing : Plotting

Some people don't plot. I don't, but I try to keep track of what's going to happen next.

My ideas always begin as summaries of a story, usually 500-1000 words, and then I keep notes below my writing that list key events coming up.

I don't know if anyone else does it like that, but if you like to plot out your novel, there's a lot of different methods instead of just a straightforward plot/outline, so find what works for you...

Snowflake

The Three Act Structure

Speed Outlining - Ten Point Outline

...yes, I am too tired to rant lately ;)
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6 comments:

  1. It seems impossible for me to sit down, and outline for 30 chapters what is going to happen in each one. Also I have little idea where the story is going until I actually start writing. I guess I prefer to just let the ideas flow. Often things will work themselves.

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  2. Also thanks for the link. Will definitely give them a read through.

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  3. Yeah just the idea of outlining 30 chapters is scary as hell. But then I look at some books and how complex they are, with all the surprising twists, and I start to envy the people with the patience for it.

    Good luck :)

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  4. I tend to eschew outlining, but I find that it prevents rambling and tangents that may ultimately change or destroy a work. In non-fiction it is practically essential, but I wish could find an effective way to develop an outline for my fiction projects to give them some direction.

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  5. I tried plotting once. The idea being to have enough scenes thought out to make it all the way through NaNoWriMo.

    Unfortunately my characters looked at the plot, laughed at it, and went off to do their own thing. When the FMC who is supposed to fall in love with the MMC (it says so, quite clearly, under the header for chapter 13) yanks the MMC off the horse, flings him to the ground, and gallops off hoping he's dead...that says something.

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