It may seem funny, but this is about all I need in order to write my books. At some point I may sketch out a timeline to ensure everything matches up. I'll also use some index cards in order to keep track of all the tiny characteristics for each character in the book. But, for the story, all I need to know is what character is in the next scene and what plot point is involved.
The way I write a chapter is to take the character and the one plot point and simply let them go. My mind has already evolved loads of history and detail of the 'world' and of each character, so I already know how things go in general; I just don't know the specifics of dialogue and any unusual happenings that will spontaneously show up as I am typing. All I know is that once I begin to tap out a chapter on the keyboard, I zone out and wake up later with a chapter, and never once yet have I been disappointed by what came out!
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wow! you are the DEFINITION of panster!
ReplyDeletei sorta did the same thing with my WIP... ((that's why rewrites are KILLING me!!! so much needs fixed. my brain misses details, silly-sieve-like brain!!! i need a mr. ted chess-master brain!))
so jealous... :)
I like your high-tech system. Some people over-think the whole outline thing.
ReplyDeleteThat's sort of like my original outline (though it was typed) except that the story all focuses on the MC and his experiences. Still I love how you describe allowing the scenes to play themselves out. That's such a great feeling when it works.
ReplyDeleteToday's guest blogger is Renae Mercado!
Ted-I actually start VERY similarly. Mystery needs more because you need to know where EVERYONE is (all suspects have to be unaccounted for at the time of the murder, etc), but for my suspense, I start with almost the same system (but on a big piece of paper so I can add details as they occur to me). Then I do a more detailed 'these 4-6 points covered' for the next 3-5 chapters I have to write. (so the BIG points are plotted for the whole book and the LITTLE ones just a few chapters out)
ReplyDeleteThat's basically how I do it :) I didn't have any outline for the first book, only notes, but I did an outline for book nr. 2 and it's going so much better. I know exactly where I'm heading, and if the outline doesn't work, I simply change the series of events.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean about waking up to a bunch of written text. It's amazing, isn't it?
Oh, and I type my outline in a Word sheet, not on a sticky ^.^
lol! Sounds like how I write. 'Cept, I don't use even the sticky note. It is all stuck inside my brain until I zone out and unleash it. I might have to use a sticky note, though. :D Good post, Ted!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome. Love that method!
ReplyDeleteHeh! Wish I could do that.
ReplyDeleteWhatever works. SOmtimes I use stick men and do a pisture board for action scenes. This really works for me.
ReplyDeleteStephen Tremp
You're my hero.
ReplyDeleteLol! I do the same thing! Hey those sticky pads can be taken anywhere. That way when you have a though, you can just right it down.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your process. Holy cow, could you write any smaller? ;P Writing/scribbling seems far superior to typing when you're ensconced in right brain activity like creatively plotting out a novel.
ReplyDeleteI like your style! I don't usually outline at all, but I do sometimes write a few notes about characters or plot points that I want to come in later. Whenever I try to meticulously outline I end up abandoning it after a few pages of writing because the characters won't do what I planned for them.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I couldn't write that small if someone were holding a gun to my head! I doubt I could even fit one of your lines on that sticky note. I love that you can do it so succinctly, but I would need a bigger piece of paper :)
ReplyDeletewow, that's pretty much how I work too. Except I usually write a short blurb of what i'd 'like' to see happen in a scene to resolve the plot point. Sometimes I stick to it and sometimes it transforms into something completely unexpected but I know how you feel about just waking up with a chapter.
ReplyDeleteYay! I love it when outlines can fit somewhere small. It is the epitome of freedom and direction!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dayana. I am so glad to see when people check out older posts! It happens so seldom.
ReplyDeleteI like reading how other people write their books. Your sticky page is more than I do. It's a good idea!
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