Ninja Captain Alex J Cavanaugh (author of
the Amazon Bestsellers: CassaStar, CassaStorm, CassaFire and Dragon of the
Stars), got the amazing idea to start this awesome group. Super A (as I have
secretly nicknamed him) trots around the globe on the world wide web, like a
blogging Santa Claus, helping other writers by giving them shoutouts on his blog,
hosting them during their book releases and sharing their book covers.(If I
praise Super A anymore, he will start blushing.)
This year I hope to write something different, by that I mean I want to move away from my comfort zone of Middle
Grade and work on an adult novel. I have two ideas. I started writing a few
pages of the first one, but then life interrupted me big time.
As the adult novel is a thriller, I am
plagued by anxieties about doing a good job plotting the story. Thrillers need
to be fast and furious, with action happening on every page, and twists and
turns that make readers gasp. To be honest, I am a bundle of anxiety.
I do have a basic storyline in mind. I
need to sit and plot it well, with twists and turns and revelations the
story will make. Maybe take a few weeks to write a detailed outline. But, I am
the kind of a writer who loves to start writing the moment an idea pops into my
mind. I usually write a basic outline, and then start writing because If I’m not
writing, then I drive myself nuts. I realized that as it’s the first time I am
working on an adult novel I may lose my nerve if I spend several weeks in
writing a detailed outline.
Do any of my blog buddies know a way I can
circumvent this problem? I do want to try my hand writing something different.
But unless and until I give it a try I won’t know. And I also need to outline
in detail. Any tips?
I don't outline either except for the major plot points. Maybe just get the major plot points set and just outline a few chapters at a time and write them since you're anxious to write and not outline. Good luck with your new project.
ReplyDeleteToo late! Already blushing.
ReplyDeleteGet the basics and just start writing. Also talk to others who write thrillers. Some plot heavy and others just dive in. Either way, I know you can do it.
Alex as a Blogging Santa - so accurate! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of Lisa Gardner, who writes suspense, and she's got lot of info for writers on her website, and I believe one of those article is about outlining. Might be worth a look, give you some guidance? Good luck!
I usually have the basic idea in mind--how the story will begin and how it will end--then I start writing. See how it plays out. I find that for me writing a detailed outline kills the book. I've already told the story. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI love you describing Alex as Blogging Santa! :) I'm a pantser. My muse will never follow any outline, no matter how general, I write. So as a pantser, I say just start writing! Everything can be fixed in the revisions stage. :)
ReplyDeleteDon't be shy. Dive in and do it. Then test your skills with some beta readers. They'll let you know what you need to fix.
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Sometimes it's good to branch into a new genre. If you're familiar with it, then just plunge in and start writing as soon as you have a solid idea.
ReplyDeleteI do better when I create a simple narrative chapter outline that sets a pattern for the high tension scenes so nothing sags along the way. Because I like the freedom to change the plan as I go, a detailed outline is a waste of time.
ReplyDeleteMoving away from your comfort zone is a great thing to do. Writing other genres can help us grow our skills and show us that we have more talent than we thought. :) If I were you, I'd just start writing. An outline can always come later.
ReplyDeleteMy humble suggestion is to just wing it:) Write it, enjoy it, and worry about fleshing out the details as you go. Sometimes it's fun to fly blind:)
ReplyDeleteI'm currently writing something different too - I've moved from YA to adult, and it's my first fantasy novel. The way I got up the courage to write it is to think about how I was writing it for me, no one else. That way, I could write anything I wanted and if it all went wrong, no one would know ;). This is also my first project I'm attempting without an outline, and I'm enjoying it so far! Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteRachel Pattinson
February IWSG Co-host
rachelpattinson.com
I write from a general outline like you but I see why you need the detail for a thriller. Not sure I would be able to do it either.
ReplyDeleteI'm a pantster; I outline very minimally just to keep a few important details on track. The plot for a thriller might be fast and furiously paced, but the actual writing need not be. Perhaps just keep notes on important things that might need filled in later? Look forward to the second draft to really flesh it out and consider the first draft the "detailed" outline? That's my only advice.
ReplyDeleteYou'll do great Rachna if you don't stress yourself out so much you give up. Trying something new can be fun work.
With short stories, outlining happens in my mind. Should try outlining on paper too - I might get a better plot!
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
Only thing I can say is revisions. Get your skeleton(first draft) down and then work on the issues.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes tell the story and then go over that creating an outline, but I am more a panster, so this works so so for me. I have made one sentence perscene plot outlines before too.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite books is "Take Off Your Pants!: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing" by Libbie Hawker This is a great short read that I have really enjoyed and learned a lot. Available on Amazon.
Happy Belated IWSG Day,
Juneta Writer's Gambit
Look forward to reading your thriller, Rachna ! Best wishes
ReplyDeleteI write multiple genres, so the best advice I can give you is this: Regardless of the genre, you still write it the same way.
ReplyDeleteWhich is to say: There's no reason to expect yourself to write a perfect book now just because it's in a different genre. (On the contrary.)
Just take your idea and run with it. Although having some major plot points in mind for a thriller would be a good thing, I don't really see why you'd HAVE to have a full blown plan for a first draft.
Play it the idea. Have fun. THEN get a plan.
*with the idea
ReplyDeleteHi Rachna! Good luck with your new endeavor, I have no doubt you will succeed! I usually just start writing, and as ideas pop into my head I will scribble them down, and try to form an outline... it often gets thrown to the wind though!
ReplyDeleteI've just returned to blogging after a 4 year hiatus! I'm not sure if you remember me, it's been a long time! I'm doing the rounds and visiting all of my favorites from the past. I'm so glad to see you're still blogging :)
Hi, Rachna, I think it's great that you are stretching yourself to try something different. I think in the case of a thriller, you probably do need to plot a little more; at least have the ending in mind. (Although that can change later.) But fi you know what your story is ABOUT, then I think you can let that be the set of headlights that guides you along through your first draft. I usually do my main plotting after the first draft is written, looking for weaknesses in the plot I've written, and reminding myself that I want to get from "here" to "there", so what makes sense along the way?
ReplyDeleteRachna, good for you stretching your skills and moving outside of your comfort zone. That's a great attitude!
ReplyDeleteIf you don't try, then you'll never know.
If you don't want a detailed outline, then work with a loose outline, so you have an idea of where your story is going to.
The suspense/thriller genre is my favorite.
Writer In Transit
Kudos to you for branching out and trying something new.
ReplyDeleteJuneta @ Writer's Gambit