P-P-Plotting!
Plotting vs. Pantsing --
Wait a minute. Isn't pantsing what you did in junior high when you pulled down someone's pants in a public area so they were embarrassed?
I'm not talking about that kind of pantsing -- I mean the kind that's not plotting. You know...the kind where you just sort of start writing and hope it all turns out all right.
Yeah.
That's pretty much how I write.
Today I didn't, though. Today, I plotted. I intended to write, but it's a new book (though not new in my thoughts, I've been turning it about for easily half a year) and what with the holiday and all, I kept thinking "why bother starting now when you'll just have to stop in a few days?" So today, instead of forcing myself to write through the block, I plotted.
I scribbled. I scratched. I drank coffee. I smelled the ink on the paper (more than once!) And slowly the characters in this novel began to appear. Scenes started forming. I took notes, even though I know from past experience I probably won't look at them again.
It was just enough to get my thoughts down, free-stylin', as it were, just letting them flow out and doing a stream of consciousness sort of thing where I did a lot of "What If" and "So, Then."
It was exciting, getting into it. Finding my way. It wasn't exactly plotting -- I didn't do more than a few scenes, but it was enough to give the story a more cohesive feeling in my head. I came up with a few A-HA moments, too, which is always a pleasure!
Now I just have to sit down and start writing. Really writing. But you know...the holiday and all...
Maybe I'll do some more plotting, instead.
M
PS -- because I was late with this blog today, I must make it up to all of you. Want to win a signed copy of STRANGER (when I get my copies?) Comment here with your best procrastination story. I'll pick one winner at random by Monday, Dec. 1!
I used to pants
Then I started plotting.
But then that stopped working. I devised a middle ground I call "plotzing", where I plan out the general direction (Hero calls, heroine runs to get ready for his impending visit, but he's already at the door and she still can't find her bra...) then I do the pantsing for the actual scene, making sure I fit in those goals.
Then that stopped working.
So I'm back to pantsing.
Though, really, I should probably join you and start sniffing the ink, lol. :) Maybe that'll help.
Hee hee!
Dee
LOL, another ink sniffer! I
LOL, another ink sniffer! I can't help it, it smells sooooo good!
:)
M
Procrastination
I am probably one of the best procrastinators around. If there's a way to put things off until the last minute I'll do it. Buying Christmas gifts, birthday gifts, etc. I wait until the last possible minute. If I have to pack for a trip I'll wait until the morning I leave to pack.
LOL! See...I normally don't.
LOL!
See...I normally don't. I'm a do-aheader...
I do both
For a category book, the synopsis always comes first -- it has to, to sell, but then the book may be largely pants according to the large moves of the synopsis. Still, in the actual writing, things will change, so execution may vary. ;) I also do a lot of mystery/suspense, even in my romance, and that takes plotting.
Other times, I sit down and pants an entire novel -- often, when something is new to me, I pants it. I have to have enough in my head to get going and get somewhere, a shape, the main ideas, characters, so I've been thinking about it, but then I sit and write and "learn" it as I go. I guess I can't even imagine writing the synopsis for something I haven't had any experience with (like writing a mystery instead of a romance, or a different kind of romance, etc).
My first three romances were completely pantsed. My first mystery was pantsed, and my first longer romantic suspense probably will be, too, but that only means they will need much more going over -- I'll get through the drafts, but they will need more revision than one of the books that is thought out in synopsis form first... And as I get a sense of how those stories work, I can work more ahead of time with synopses, ,etc.
Sam
I just like saying
I just like saying pantsed!
:)
Pantsed
I'm so glad I never got pantsed in school. I don't think I could have lived with that kind of embarrassment. I was a plotter when I was writing papers in school. Good luck with the writing. Happy Thanksgiving.
I'm not a procrastinator. If
I'm not a procrastinator. If something needs doing, I do it.
I wish...
I had a good procrastination story, but I don't. I am a terrible planner, compulsive, almost. I double and triple check tickets, schedules, departure times, etc, etc. I was five minutes late to a doctor's appt today and apologized to everyone and his/her dog for my rudeness. How many times has a doctor been late to see me? Dozens. Sometimes I get an apology.... ;)
Margaret
Procrastination
Procrastination is my middle name.
Well, not really. I'm subjective about the things I'll procrastinate about.
I'm punctual. I'll pack (and repack) days before a trip.
But cleaning up my office at work? Going through that one stack that says Needs to Be Filed (and has been sitting on one corner of my desk) for three years now (I kid you not). Oh yeah, easily able to procrastinate on those things.
I'll procrastinate on getting my hair cut although I love how swingy it is when first cut. In fact, my hairdresser keeps tabs on things like that. The last time I went in for a trim (4-5 months ago) she reported it had been 62 weeks since I'd last been in.
Yeah, procrastination is my middle name!
ani
I kept putting off going to
I kept putting off going to the dentist to fix the teeth of my own that I had left. Also, I needed a new top plate. Well, after many years and dh deciding to retire which meant the benefits would be gone I knew that I had to do something about it so I made an appointment. Also, I had my top denture fixed 3 times after it broke 3 times just so I wouldn't have to go through the process of getting fitted for a new one.
Procrastination
I don't know why but I have procrastinated since I was young. I am good at buying supplies to do a project and then putting it off when the project actually has to be done. Currently, I have everything I need to start learning to quilt and it is sitting all together in a room but I ignore it and clean around it. I'm thinking this winter will be the time to sit down and do it.
oh, quilting!
Any time you want to talk quilting, Maureen, drop me a note. :)
I missed the procrastination theme. ;) I am not a procrastinator on most things. One thing I am bad about in that way is drs appts. I will put those off endlessly. Most other stuff, I am a "doer" and like to get things done as soon as possible and finished.
My one downfall with quilting and sewing particularly at this time of year, is planning too many projects, and they all have to be done in a small space of time. But they will be. ;) I always tell myself I won't do it, and yet I do... But I already know what I want to make for gifts next year, and now that I have my new machine, I hope I can get an earlier start...
Sam
I'm a bit like Ani...
I'm quite familiar with procrastination--we're overly well acquainted ;p Just earlier this year, I delayed in making plans for my middle one's birthday party until we were practically past it. Fortunately I jumped onto the coattails of a friend whose child had a birthday coming a few weeks later and "we" had a combined party. Sometimes I'm not saved in such a pleasant way :) (Sadly this started way back when I was in school, and although I'm trying to help my kids develop better habits, my son did just throw together his diorama last night although he'd had two weeks before that to do the project... yikes...)
Happy Thanksgiving, Megan!
Overall, I'm NOT a
Overall, I'm NOT a procrastinator! And my daughter isn't either. My son, though...OY.
M
Hah! :P
You want a procrastinating story? I'll tell you one... tomorrow. Well, obviously/actually I'm already late on this post... :) But please exempt me because I was lucky (and stupid?) enough to get a copy through your other blog. Erm... my biggest procrastinating story of late is so embarrassing I probably shouldn't even share it. I was supposed to write/get started on my GWR/thesis/law review article in the summer of 07. Yup - we're fast approaching 09. Luckily/at least I have my topic? I can't graduate without completing it... So yeah. That's bad. Looking at a year and a half already gone here.
Thinking of thesis/theses (plural?) I've... got a worse one. I've yet to formally turn in either of my undergraduate papers. I wrote an honors thesis for both my majors - completed them, defended them, and got my "graduation with distinction." But erm, never bothered converting them to PDF and sending them to whoever it was who takes them and publishes them. Oops. Maybe I'll do that this summer. If I'm still allowed to. I definitely dodged an email from my former adviser last year when she asked about one.
... *cringe* Color me mortified. I'm contemplating deleting all of that but... yeah. In terms of procrastinating? I could probably win some sort of award if it were a competition.
I can add to that...
You just reminded me, my last degree program was my Masters program in Geography/Public Admin, a dual MA, but I only have one of them because they made a mistake in processing my paperwork. It took me close to a year to finally dig out the paperwork that I need to get them, which has sat on my desk for at least another six months since I found it, and I tore part of it yesterday getting it out from underneath a lamp. It drives Mike crazy, he wants me to file it and get the degree and I will sooner or later, but you know, I guess in some way I'm thinking, you know, so what, a third MA, LOL. I'm a writer, who cares? But I did the work, and I should file the paperwork to get it, so I will. . .eventually.
You, however, get to work! *G*
Sam
LOL
But Sam - at least you're done, right? Kinda?
:P My sister hasn't gotten her Masters yet (and has been working for... 2? 3? years now?) Because she can't be bothered to email her adviser. He was in Europe the summer she left and ... well.
Yeah... apparently procrastination even runs in my family. Oops.
Oh, I'm done. LOL
Stick a fork in me, I am so done. These degrees were finished 5 years ago, but I just need to file the paperwork on one of them. The problem is that I did it once, and so it's hard for me to have to push myself to go through the effort to do it again, when THEY made the paperwork error, but I guess I'll do it at some point... But, no, I am a finisher of things. I rarely start anything that I don't finish. Degrees, especially, because they require so much time and effort.
Sam
LOL! That IS bad!!! M
LOL! That IS bad!!!
M
i am not really but i have
i am not really
but i have been late for work lol
hope not too late
any winner
any winner
aaa
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