Friday, January 21, 2011

My Writing Process : Part Two


In my previous post which was a part of  the  What’s your Process Blogfest  held by Shallee,  I spoke about my writing process: The Outline. Of how from a free spirited  pantster who waded into unknown territory without any kind of clue about the direction the story would take, or even what the character wanted to do, to how I have become a  big fan of plotting, wherein I plot every little detail of my novel.

Yes, I like to plan quite a bit, but I must tell you that even for die hard plotters and outliners,  plenty of  changes in  the plot happen when we start to actually write the story down.  Its only when we get acquainted with our characters, that they start revealing their secrets and  stories. And very often these secrets and confessions lead to detours in the plot, to scenes that we originally conceived being chopped and  rewritten.

There is nothing like a 100% outline which a writer follows. Outlines are like  basic guidelines which ensure that  a writer does not stray from the story. But actually writing  down the story  may give birth to several  characters and scenes which we had not envisaged during the outlining stage.

 I would put it as  that when we get familiar with our characters they will introduce us to more people who go on to enhance our stories  and plot. This happened with my current WIP. The characters born during the outline stage brought several of their friends and foes into my story.  I personally feel each new character has only enhanced the  story.  I admit it has required several rewrites, but that’s what a writer’s life is all about. Isn’t it?!

My advice to all my plotting friends is, let the characters and situations guide you in  the direction the story has to move. If I had gone by my initial outline, I am sure my WIP would have been bereft of the colourful characters who have jumped in. What we can do is keep all the original drafts, so that when we are concerned with the radical changes we are making,  or have made, we can always compare it with the previous drafts and then decide whether to adopt the new changes or stick to the old ones.

I am not sure that what happened with me happens to only pantsers turned plotters, whereby we  still retain and cling onto writing without planning. Does it happen to all of you? I am dying of curiousity to know whether you all stick to the original outline or do you all take several plot detours and meander through deviations to reach the ultimate destination.

P.S. Due to some personal commitments   I will be unable to post for the coming week. My next post will be on 1st February. Until then, Keep Writing.



22 comments:

  1. I always tend to start with too many characters and as the wip goes along I rather cruelly send the interesting but not necessarily for that story characters on their way. And then some new ones come along!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hope you are having fun, wherever life is taking you :)

    I totally agree that everything can't always be 100% planned. You can make a plan but then your characters may rebel in surprising ways sometimes. hehe

    ReplyDelete
  3. I guess because writing is a process, a journey sometimes the original plan can be modified because as you work on a project you see better ways to achieve your goal, so yes I find being too rigid can make the story seem undynamic and false. A good mix is important. :O)

    ReplyDelete
  4. That's exactly how I work with plotting. Even after I've developed an outline, I discover so many cool things/people/ideas in the writing, that I always stray from the outline. And you're right-- the story is always better for it.

    Thanks for sharing more about your process.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've had to learn to make outlines and less and less I go by the seat of my pants. It helps!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Good post.

    This pantser had to plot when she had a rewrite.

    Basically, I have a backbone planned, and some things that have to happen for the backbone to stay in tact. The rest is all up to the characters.

    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Can't remember if I mentioned this before, but I like to write a loose outline, which just helps me from getting writers block. If I don't know where I'm going, then I get bogged down. But, as I am writing, I often come up with brand new scenes or characters, and I definitely go with it! Otherwise, writing becomes more structured than creative. To me, the best part of writing is when your story plunges off the beaten path and reveals something new to you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for sharing. Look forward to seeing you soon!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I need to become a better outliner. The few times I have outlined a chapter have definitely paid off because my thoughts are more cohesive and organized!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Interesting points, Rachna. I've found when writing according to my outline that any changes that occur are generally changes that deal with delving deeper into the characters I already have, rather than creating new characters. But it's true that anything is possible.

    Jai

    ReplyDelete
  11. Agree with you on that very much. Having an outline is incredibly helpful, but one should always stay loose and follow inspiration where it leads us. An insightful post, as usual.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've read about authors straying from their outline when they feel a nudge from their characters (or an all out rebellion). The point is, it's your story. You give it life! Have fun with it and see where it takes you. You can always scrap it and go back to the original plan.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm a new convert to plotting, I used to just write and write and then think 'where am I going?'.
    With my new WIP I am being a bit more organised, I decided how many chapter and roughly how many words, then wrote a few sentances for each chapter. It has really helped me!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I can't live without outlining. If I don’t outline I'm lost. Also I have great fun doing it, but I am flexible enough to allow for a change in plan when I actually write the chapters.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I will outline... I have been known to in the past... but I almost NEVER stick to it... But I do jot down a lot of ideas as they occur to me :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. You bring up some great points, Rachna! The novel I'm currently working on has been of the jump-in-and-then-think variety, so of course it took me (and still is) through a lot of plot revisions. I'm going to try out the outlining-to-the-last-detail on my next project and see which I like better. As for characters changing even after a well-plotted beginning, I had a friend refer to characters as "shape-shifters". I thought that basiclaly sums it all :).

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm a week late, but catching up on this blogfest now after I finally put my own entry up =)

    I totally agree. Plotting doesn't mean set rules and no deviation, not at all! It's more a guideline, really ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm a bit late, too, Rachna - but this post was very timely for me. Just yesterday I plotted out my current WIP - but I do it on a giant whiteboard so I can visually see the whole story. I color code it to include general plot points per chapter, season changes, and in this case - medical changes/symptoms, and changes in the plants of my MC's greenhouse. Along the way, some great ideas DID pop up, which I will have to use!

    To answer your question: I think plotters and pantsers get thrown off track from their outlines when characters start to speak to them. To ignore those voices is to ignore a richness that makes your stories authentic (my recent blog post). I love what you said: "If I had gone by my initial outline, I am sure my WIP would have been bereft of the colourful characters who have jumped in." Character IS the essence of a good story!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love this post.
    Also, left you an award on my blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. amen. and I like how you put that they brought their friends and foes along.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Good questions, Rachna, When I've tried to outline and then stick to it too rigidly, the story quietly tiptoes away from me. I usually just have a rough idea of that the story is about: Who's in it and why they are in the midst of something, and then I take it from there. I actually start outlining after the story takes hold and I have a better idea of its focus, because then I need to keep the characters from wandering too far away from the story. (I do give them room, too, to alter the plot if needed.)

    Hope you have an enjoyable time and look forward to your next post.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great post. And just want you to know that I've posted something for you over at my place, for when you get back!

    ReplyDelete