Thanks to Terry Odell for guest posting for me today for my Writing Process series on Mystery Writing is murder! Terry’s books straddle the mystery and romance genres and you can find out more about them here.
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Thanks, Elizabeth for having me as your guest on Mystery Writing is Murder. When I saw your topics, I had a head-scratch moment, since I don’t consciously separate my writing process into the 3 stages you mentioned. Then again, I’m someone who thought she was writing a mystery, but was told by my daughters that it was a romance. At that point, I’d never read a romance, so I just kept writing the story I wanted to tell. I didn’t know there were “rules” or “methods” so I just do what works for me.
I’m not a plotter or an outliner. I tried. Really tried. Went to all those workshops about storyboarding. But after a short time, all I could think was, “enough of this.” I don’t do character sheets, because that’s as much of an “enough of this” exercise as plotting.
For me, writing is a matter of moving in short bursts, and keeping track of what’s happened, or where I think I might want to go. But as Nora Roberts is famous for saying, “I can’t fix a blank page.” So I write and see what happens.
First writing of the day is looking at what I wrote the day before. It’s had time to settle, and the typos tend to rise to the top. It also gives me a running start for new material. I have an on-line critique group, and if they’ve given me feedback, I’ll decide what needs to be addressed. If they catch a plot hole, I have to fix it before going further.
Late afternoons and evenings, I write new stuff. That’s simply the way my mental rhythms work out; everyone deals with their own schedules.
My current manuscript was my first straight mystery, and I thought I might drag out the storyboard again. Still a no go. But I did find I could use it to keep track of what I’d written, and also of ideas for scenes, plot points, character moments. I used two separate boards: one for the ideas, and one for tracking the story.
First came the ideas. Plain and simple, it was brainstorming. Lots of “what if” thoughts. For previous books, I’d done it on a computer document, but having the physical sticky notes to pick up and move around gave me a better visual, and made it easy to change things. As I dealt with each ‘idea’ I’d either toss it or put it on the story board in the appropriate chapter box.
Since I’ve been “trained” in romance, I tend to focus on the big GMC: Goal, Motivation & Conflict for each character. I would figure out what my characters wanted, why they wanted it, and why they couldn’t have it. Again, a lot of trial and error. For example, in the book I just finished, the underlying motivation was for Justin to find a “secret something” (at the beginning of the book, that was enough for me) at his grandparents’ home. A big question I ask myself all through the process is “why”. So, why would Justin want something? And, the bigger why: Why doesn’t he just ask his grandparents for it? They love him; they’d probably give it to him. So figuring out what “it” was required a lot of discarded ideas.
But I don’t need to know exactly what it is right away. Heck, I didn’t even know who the villain was until at least halfway through the book. I strongly believe that our subconscious minds will know, or at least lead us in that direction.
Using colored post-its made it easy to see at a glance where the story was going. I learned what I needed to track and started adding things like where the scene took place, what secondary characters appeared, what clues were revealed, what day it was, etc. I used big sticky notes for the POV characters; a different color for each. I used smaller ones for the secondary characters, locale, etc. By the end, the story board was jam-packed, and my idea board was almost empty. If I’d looked at the empty board and tried to fill in before I started writing – well, “enough of this.”
So, I suppose if I had to summarize my writing technique, it would be plan a little, write a little, fix a little. Rinse. Repeat. When I finally get to “The End” I do tightening edits, but by then, the story should (note “should”, not “is”) be complete. After the tightening comes the polishing, where I’ll find the rest of those problem children that have risen to the top. But, again I don’t play by the rules. I can’t write scenes out of order. If I’m waiting for feedback on a critical point, rather than write ahead and take the chance everything will unravel when I find out whether the cops can actually do what I want them to, then I’ll do some polishing. Maybe I’ll plug a chapter into Wordle.net and see what words I’m overusing. Or make sure my transitions are clean, or my dialogue isn’t drivel.
If you want to see how my storyboard technique worked for me, there’s a summary on my website. http://www.terryodell.com
Hope this helped someone – I’ll be happy to answer questions. And I chat about other aspects of writing at my own blog, Terry’s Place, http://terryodell.blogspot.com
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Thanks so much, Terry! I love finding out how other authors plan and write their books. And that storyboard is very cool-looking.
I took this opportunity to do some guest blogging myself. :) You’ll find me today on Mason Canyon’s blog, Thoughts in Progress. My topic today is “Nancy, Trixie, Scooby, Miss Marple, and Me.” Hope you’ll pop by.
It’s fascinating to hear your technique. Sounds exciting not knowing too much about where you’re going. I’ve done it for about 30 pages, but that’s when I stall and really need some kinda outline. Thanks for sharing!
Elizabeth – Thanks for hosting this writing process guest blog series. Terry, I thought I was the only one who drafts, wwrites and revises a little at a time. It sounds as though you make each part of your writing stronger by doing that. Very interesting!
I’m always fascinated to see how writers compile their stories. The various techniques each person uses is interesting. Thanks Terry for explaining how you do it. Thanks Elizabeth for featuring Terry and her “plotting moi.”
Thank you for this guest post, it was just what I needed to read as I’m in the middle of writing my first mystery and no I haven’t plotted it out, either. However, you’ve provided many useful ideas of how I can proceed from here. Thank you!
Good morning all, and thanks for coming. If you’ve popped over to my blog, you’ll know that things are hectic, but I will check in to answer comments.
Suzanne – thanks to Elizabeth for inviting guests, and I’m glad you found something useful in my scattershot method of writing.
Lori – I plan, but I don’t write serious outlines. And how far I can plan will vary as the book progresses.
Margot – See – we’re not alone!
Mason – the only “right” way is the way it works for you. And it can change.
Marvin – getting started can be hard, as can writing through roadblocks, so that quote takes away the fear of getting it right the first time.
Oh, and I guess I can give you a link to my blog — might save a few clicks. It’s Terry’s Place and I hope you’ll follow me there. It’s usually writing related, but since I was doing a writing “thing” here, I decided on a ‘real life’ post.
Terry, Thanks- great information. I really like the asking -why. I will keep these tips in mind as I learn my way.
Thanks to Elizabeth too.
Great post! I don’t outline or do detailed character sketches either. Always makes me feel a little guilty, but I know it’s not my style of doing things. Glad to hear I’m not alone :)
Going by now… :0)
Thanks, Terry! This reminds me of Elizabeth’s left brain/right brain post earlier this week. Organization techniques meant for one type of person just don’t work for the other type. But it sounds like you found what does work for you! Thanks for sharing it. I think I can learn a lot from you.
Michele
SouthernCityMysteries
JW – glad you found it helpful.
Jemi – repeat after me. There is NO GUILT ALLOWED. Do what works.
Kristen – see you there!
Michelle – I agree, there’s probably a lot of basic physiology/neurology that makes us work in different ways.
Helen – I like to think of my story board as a tracking board, and it can definitely work for any project
Teresa – I think a couple of my author colleagues use the term “PLANTSER” because they don’t “plot” but they do have a “plan.”
Alex – I admire your organizational skills. My outline would read: Readers meet characters. Characters meet each other. Bad stuff happens. It all works out.
You know, I thought I was doing it all wrong, but I find that I use a lot of the same procedures as Terry! Very good Elizabeth and Terry! Thanks!
Judy – The is no WRONG, only different.
Ann – I started using my storyboard tracking with my first straight mystery, but it’s good for tracking any type of plot continuity.
Thanks again, Terry, for posting today!
I think your technique will be helpful for a lot of different writers.
Elizabeth
Great post Terri! I haven’t tried creating boards…
You’ve given me something to consider. I do plot roughly, with character sketches and chapter outlines.
Thanks ladies!
Interesting and helpful article. I love the Nora Roberts quote – so true!
Marvin D Wilson
It’s interesting that every author has their own process.
I am big on outlines and character sheets. I do those before writing any story. I’m one of those people that if I write it down, I won’t forget – so once I do all that and begin writing, it’s rare that I will refer back to the outline or character sheets. I just needed to define it all before I started.
Thanks for sharing your process, Terry. I think each of us discover what works for us. Very interesting.
Your story board idea can be used by a lot of writers. It’s not restrictive, yet helps to keep you moving forward.
Thank you.
Helen
Straight From Hel
Terri:
I used to not be a plotter or do the character sheets and plan as much as I do now. And that process does slow things down at the beginning. But I’ve discovered it does help me learn about my characters and their motivation.
I don’t plot out every move, every scrap of dialogue and ect. I’d lose interest in a project if I did that. And I don’t write an outline because once I’d done that I’d feel I’d finished the book.
I just plot loosely what might happen and then sit down and see what my characters do. So I’m not a plotter, not a pantser. We’ll have to come up with a new name for writers who strandle the line and do a little of both.
Teresa R.
I do outline, but I tend to change a lot as I write.
With my mysteries, I have to plan because I have complex coding but I’ve written a romance and that came to me like he said, ‘in spurts’. INteresting interview.
ann
Just got back from a horrendously long carmax experience. A blog post in its own right, I’d say. And these are supposed to be the ones who make everything EASY!!
I’ll be reading everyone’s comments. Thanks for stopping by, and so glad my meanderings helped validate others who float through the mist.
Tamika – the last book was the first time I used the story board, and it was done after I wrote each scene, so it wasn’t intimidating to do, and it helped keep track of vital plot points, clues, and reveals.
Galen – there’s absolutely nothing wrong with WRITING!
Jess — Hi back, kiddo
Elspeth, “other” Terry – you’re more than welcome. Happy to share. Makes me feel like maybe I’m getting something “right”!
We have a few things in common, Terry, most notably, formal or advanced plotting, or lack thereof.
I want to outline, storyboard, do character workups, all of that. In reality, what happens is I end up staring at a blank sheet of paper. So, the Nora Roberts quotation, so true. Nice post.
Best Wishes Galen.
Imagineering Fiction Blog
Just stopping by to say “hi!!”
Thank you for sharing your techniques. I like the “ask why” a lot. (the other Terry)_
*weeping with joy* I love that he doesn’t outline or make character sheets. I’m so over that too! And I can’t do anything with a blank page either, so I just write.
Thank you, thank you! I feel a bit validated today. :)
Cora –
Author Debra Dixon uses index cards. I tried it, but they required too much room (and organization). The sticky notes seemed more effective for me.
This is a great post, Terry. Thank you so much for sharing your writing/plotting process.
I find ‘plotting’ the most excrutiating part of writing. I tend toward poetry but am aware as a writer I need to do novels if I hope to get anywhere.
I’ve read more and more about the index card methods and intend to pop by your site to check out the method you linked here.
Appreciate your time here!
Corra
from the desk of a writer
Autumn, that’s why I used this method, because it doesn’t plot in advance; it just keeps track of things. I think my ‘record’ for advance plotting is about 3 chapters.
Terry, Great post. I love reading other writers processes.
I’ve tried storyboarding and plotting. Truly I have, but I just don’t have it in me. I usually write the first three chapters and then the synopsis. Of course, my characters decide to change things on me often.
AJ
2009 Golden Heart Finalist
http://www.autumnjordon.com
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