Original fic: Plotting

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Yo! Original writers, how are things? Written much this month? Tell us how your latest offering/s are going, and chat away amongst yourselves too - let's strike up some conversations on anything that you're after help or advice about.





Plotting

So, some questions/thoughts to get you started:

1. Do you plot? Do you plan your fic out in detail before you begin, or are you like me (generally) and fly by the seat of your pants?
2. If you do plot in advance, what's the most important part of your process? Characters, entire story, having scenes that you know you can expand into a bigger theme, or perhaps it's something else, like being in the right mood or having the right music/silence/equipment, and then opening up a document and just beginning?
3. Do your ideas flow as you move through the plotting process? Or do you have to begin writing to know if the plot is going to work?
4. Do you actively seek information before you begin, or do you begin to write and then research as and when needed?
5. If you'd like to, show us an example of something you think you plotted extremely well, or if it's easier, tell us about the story and why you think it's good, or why it works so well for you.

Comments

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

That is wonderful to hear, and I'm sure way more effective than people like me (read: disorganised and flying completely by the seat of my pants most of the time!) That would explain why you have had work published. :D

Research on something you enjoy is definitely fun, so it's not exactly like work, is it? As I mentioned to asphaltcowgrrl, I'm a bit lazy on research, which is not helpful when you're plotting something that needs to be correct, and it's probably let me down a few times (and I am forgetful too, which doesn't help), but if something interests me a whole lot, rather than just something I'm including in passing or as an aside (but should have facts), I do find it much easier.

I have to say, I admire people who can be so disciplined as to plot and outline as you do! ;-)

[fatorangekat.livejournal.com]

I read somewhere years ago that you should write what you know and I I take that with me. My first novel is set in the Outer Banks of NC and for years I vacationed there so I knew it inside and out. I've been researching the Vietnam War for at least 12 or more years but really helped me was I managed to hook up with a military adviser for the 80s television show- Tour of Duty. He served in Vietnam and was incredibly helpful for me to get the details correct.

I find if I don't outline, don't plot it out- I can't get it finished. I just flounder. But I realize that not everyone can work with an outline- they are more comfortable with just letting the story write itself.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

And that is a good adage to live by! Wow, what a coup to have met up with someone like that, and how helpful too.

I totally get the whole outline and plan thing, but yeah, for me, if I do to much pre-work, I find I lose interest because it's like the story is already told. I need to have surprises hidden in my head, although in all honesty, having an end-point is useful, as long as I only have a vague idea of how I'm going to get there!

Thanks for sharing your methods with us; it's interesting to find out how others work, and who knows when something might rub off! ;-)