tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542417548623715196.post6628188519584715075..comments2023-11-03T08:03:15.599-05:00Comments on Killer Fiction: I Have a Plot!Kathy Bacushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549844839816876766noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542417548623715196.post-75574185602281433832007-10-29T21:30:00.000-05:002007-10-29T21:30:00.000-05:00I never think while I read a book that there is so...I never think while I read a book that there is so much organizing and I think the plot comes super easily. How mistaken I was!Lilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16245892606482774038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542417548623715196.post-14228029123315915982007-10-29T21:23:00.000-05:002007-10-29T21:23:00.000-05:00Very interesting to read... I can't even write a s...Very interesting to read... I can't even write a schedule without having a head-ache afterwards!Nathaliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14127290110025040083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542417548623715196.post-72286060707749864102007-10-28T22:01:00.000-05:002007-10-28T22:01:00.000-05:00Great topic, Bethany! I usually have a general id...Great topic, Bethany! I usually have a general idea about a basic plot when I begin the pre-writing process but since I'm a character-intensive writer I have to know a lot about each character in my book unless they perform only a walk-on role. I do a number of character worksheets first (GMC) and those help me define my plot. I use a huge dry erase board to create a storyboard that I can easily erase or move things around on.<BR/><BR/>Doing a lot of pre-writing work up front has made it possible for me to write each book in less time--and with fewer roadblocks or plot glitches.<BR/><BR/>Speaking of which, back to the ol' storyboard!<BR/><BR/>~Bullet Hole~Kathy Bacushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07549844839816876766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542417548623715196.post-33375170871719380252007-10-28T15:46:00.000-05:002007-10-28T15:46:00.000-05:00I used to be a pantster, but my last novel, after ...I used to be a pantster, but my last novel, after about 90 pages, I decided I didn't have a clue (no pun intended) as to what my plot twists or points were, or where to put them when I figured it out. I decided to do a modified storyboard, in a notebook (loose leaf so I can add pages), with a separate page for each PP or PT, and filled in scenes as they came to me. As I write I get scene ideas, and then I just fill in the scenes between the major twists. So far it's made for my best story yet.<BR/>I'm using this structure to plot my NANOWRIMO novel.<BR/><BR/>Allie Hollister<BR/>www.alliehollister.comAllie Hollisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01490793484003118388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542417548623715196.post-81327261782376310852007-10-28T12:48:00.000-05:002007-10-28T12:48:00.000-05:00PS - I don't think that my hubby would appreciate ...PS - I don't think that my hubby would appreciate a visible story board and now that my daughter can read I don't think I would put one out even if he said it was okay!Jenyfer Matthewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10769550148821002722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542417548623715196.post-33309409063427593542007-10-28T12:47:00.000-05:002007-10-28T12:47:00.000-05:00My notebook isn't the most organized of items - I ...My notebook isn't the most organized of items - I open it up until I find a clean page and then go for it. Kind of funny to look back at the notes I've taken for books I've already finished - and see where they veered off course, LOL. <BR/><BR/>Most of my plot I just keep in my head and make up the details as I go along. But then I'm not killing people in my stories so I can be a bit more flexible with things than you guys!Jenyfer Matthewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10769550148821002722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542417548623715196.post-19149496142298022472007-10-28T12:13:00.000-05:002007-10-28T12:13:00.000-05:00I suck at plotting. I usually have a vague idea wh...I suck at plotting. I usually have a vague idea what I want to do, but the execution is always elusive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542417548623715196.post-61388100804164376972007-10-28T10:28:00.000-05:002007-10-28T10:28:00.000-05:00I think what I'm doing now is someplace between pa...I think what I'm doing now is someplace between pantsing and planning. <BR/><BR/>It helps to know a little about my heroine and where the plot is going but as I look at my outline I have three or four potential love interests for her. I think that keeps the writing fresh, as Christie describes without me finding myself in the middle of a book not knowing which direction to go. <BR/><BR/>I used to use a notebook Jenyfer. Storyboarding makes everything so visual to me. I even have iTunes playlists with tracks that remind me of my characters. It really helps me get inside the story.Bethany Truehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08339194282802531094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542417548623715196.post-45450623679765323312007-10-28T07:30:00.000-05:002007-10-28T07:30:00.000-05:00Bethany,I'm a "plot by the seat of my pants." I k...Bethany,<BR/><BR/>I'm a "plot by the seat of my pants." I know where it's going, but if I write too much down I feel as if I've already written it and it begins to feel old.<BR/><BR/>I think the thing that keeps me honest with my plots is the rule of cause and effect. If whatever happens next is due to what happened before, then it's a little of a safety net that I'm not just ping ponging around. But seriously, I think plotting is like sex. There really isn’t just one way to do it. What matters is that it keeps your interest and if there’s payoff when it’s all said and done. <BR/><BR/>Crime Scene ChristieChristie Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13838947086349600665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542417548623715196.post-57160269547107615752007-10-28T01:42:00.000-05:002007-10-28T01:42:00.000-05:00Funny you should mention plotting because I just s...Funny you should mention plotting because I just sat down this morning and wrote up the time line for the next part of my own WIP - only I used a notebook.<BR/><BR/>Good luck with your story!Jenyfer Matthewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10769550148821002722noreply@blogger.com