by Elizabeth Craig, @elizabethscraig
I loved the organic, ‘pantster’ approach to writing. I followed the genre-determined general structure (meet victim, meet suspects, question suspects…) and then happily made up each story as I went along.
This worked really well until I started writing three books a year…a book each for several different series. Then, apparently, I was juggling too many balls at once and I had to give myself more of a plan to follow.
I’ve got a post up on Writer Unboxed, which is a great resource for writers if you’re not familiar with it. My post covers how and why I changed to outlines and what I learned from the experience, analyzing my results. Hope you’ll pop over.
Hi Elizabeth – you’ve experienced many of the gambits of a writer’s life and we can always learn things from you … so popping over now .. cheers Hilary
I’m attempting to be more of a plotter! Off to check your post :)
On my way to check out your post!
Hey, awesome exposure to be on Writer Unboxed! I will head over and see you there!
Terrific post, Elizabeth! Very informative, as were all the comments.
I’m trying to be more organized and outline but I’m really a pantser by nature so it’s difficult! Going to check out your post now :)
YOU are my inspiration! I think the panster in you is your secret hippy personality. I feel like a free spirit, but if I’m not organized in some way, I will fall apart. Happy Thanksgiving!
Teresa–Yes! Secret hippie, for sure! I have to impose some structure or else nothing will get done in the chaos. :)
It wasn’t until I found my own way to plot that I could panster with controlled abandon. I would start out Phoenix and end up on Pluto with no clue where I missed my turn. I finally threw out the how-to’s and “helpful” software and drew a mind map on paper – yes they still make that stuff and it works wonderfully.
Robin–I’ve used mind maps, too. Glad it worked for you!