Like most a lot of other writers out there, I’ve been writing stories since I was a kid. But until 2 years ago when I joined my first crit group, I wasn’t really serious about improving my writing skills. I just wrote for fun, thought my writing was good, figured I’d easily get published. God how wrong I was!
Starting Out
I know I’ve grown as a writer in the last couple of years, and it all started with my work on a YA fantasy. One I started writing before I really knew what I was doing. I edited that poor thing a dozen times, and while it was an interesting story (or so I’d like to think) it had some fundamental problems with characterization. (Still my downfall). I wrote the first version so long ago that I don’t actually remember it, so when I started on another WIP last year to give myself a break, I wasn’t sure how to get started.
Using Structure
I’d been using the Hero’s Journey to plot, so I decided to continue in that vein. But I also stumbled upon the 3 Act structure via some of the blogs I read, and decided to incorporate that as well. I finished writing the first draft in a couple months, and let it sit for a while before starting to revise using Holly Lisle’s revision class. And then I realized what a mess it was. Despite me plotting it out a bit before I started, I’d more or less pantstered most of if.
Outlining
So when I started writing my new WIP last month, I decided to do things a little differently. I’ve never been sure if I was a pantster or an outliner, so this time I decided to try outlining, scene by scene. And I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the results. This book has practically written itself! I’m almost halfway through without even trying!
So I wanted to share some of the resources and tricks I’ve used to organize my writing and help plot my story. And of course I realize this isn’t going to work for everyone, but I always find it interesting to see the process of other writers, so hopefully you do to!
Up next: Some of the resources I used to develop my plot outline.
photo credit: Caza_No7
I like to start with an idea. I write that down. Now, this idea can be a sentence, a word, or three pages of scenes.
Then, I ask myself, "what's the risk here?" I write that down.
I ask myself what the end will be. I write that down.
Then, I write my piece. Once the initial piece is written, I look at it and write a full outline, chapter/scene by chapter/scene, plot it all out, etc. Then I copy and paste the different scenes in the new order and beginning the editing process.
That's really interesting Krista. I always start with an idea as well, but have never really thought about the risk part.
Hmmm…outlining at the end – that's an idea. Do you actually have a framework or rough outline as you write, or do you pantser it?
Somewhere in between. Recognize that I have the small sentence/paragraph that is about where the story is going and I have the risk statement. Everything I write features back to that and is challenged against those things.
Sometimes, I sketch out several scenes that need to be included in a piece and write those. Then, I connect them.
Generally, the larger the project, the more forethought I put into knowing what the upcoming scenes will be.