Comments on: The Pantser’s Guide to Story Planning – Part One

By: The Pantser’s Guide to Story Planning – Part Two

The Pantser’s Guide to Story Planning – Part Two — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:02:50 +0000

[...] (Read Part One of this series here.) [...]

By: Clint Daniel

Clint Daniel — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:41:18 +0000

Thank you, thank you, thank you…(infinite thank you’s). I’ve been working on a story for a month now, pantsing it the entire way. On the second draft, I realized the ending I wanted, and I had to start the drafting process over again.

I droll over the thought of planning, in all forms whether writing or life, mainly because I don’t know the true elements of a story, hoping they will reveal themselves. Kind of like a man feeling around in a dark cave with no light, and I believe I took a wrong turn. This post has really helped me realize my faults, and I anxiously await your next post.

Thank you once again.

By: Larry

Larry — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:24:09 +0000

@Leah — “my characters lead me” — I usually have to bite my tongue when I hear that one. Yeah, that’s definately a form of pantsing. In fact, it’s the quintessential chaotic one, in my opinion, the one that only works after a bunch of rewrites. Unfortunately, those writers too often don’t do those because they trust those leading characters to understand what the WRITER must know. It’s like asking a child to lead you on tour of Los Angeles… good luck with that.

Staying the the analogy of that for a moment — it’s just as I suggested and you affirmed: if the writer understands the principles, then go ahead, follow them. If they are just wandering around (if the writer truly doesn’t understand the four parts and the five key milestones), then somebody’s gonna get lost, big time.

Thanks for contributing, and for the value-add.

By: Leah

Leah — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:33:09 +0000

I learned about your blog through your guest piece at Problogger. I’m very glad I did.

I have participated in writing circles where (dare I call it) “pantsing” is encouraged. It may be useful to do 10 minutes of un-self-edited writing to access your creativity. But to approach an entire work that way doesn’t work for me, although, as Tommie Lyn points out, it does for some. My experience has been as you have suggested: successful pansters have a great grasp of what a story needs. And sometimes they are able to fly because they have allowed story and character ideas time to float around in their heads.

Would you call the “my-characters-lead-me” writers just one type of pantser?

By: Luisa Perkins

Luisa Perkins — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:13:39 +0000

I’m no longer a pantser, but I still find this so very valuable. I can’t wait for your next post.

By: Tommie Lyn

Tommie Lyn — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:22:59 +0000

When I wrote my first novel, four years ago, I sorta, kinda planned it. I knew several events I wanted to be included in the story, and, on advice I read, I tried to construct the ending in advance. And I’m still editing that novel, trying to make something of it.

In the meantime, I learned to write on the fly, from writing prompts. And now, I start with a title, a character, an event or a setting, I begin typing, and a story starts flowing. I get out of the way and let it pour out onto my computer keyboard. I don’t know what the story is about when I start, and I have no idea where it will end. But it is as much a joy and a process of discovery to write as it is to read someone else’s story.

Those novels I’ve written in that manner require much, much less editing than that first one I tried to plan (which is STILL in the edit process).

So…I suppose when it comes to writing, I’m an odd-ball. But, come to think about it, I’m an odd-ball when it comes to a lot of things. So, what else is new?

By: janice |Sharing the Journey

janice |Sharing the Journey — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:18:25 +0000

I love novels, films, songs and TV shows that are structured so beautifully, you feel like they gave their creators room to breathe somewhere between the boringly formulaic and the breathtaking. A great structure’s like the music, space and physical limitations a choreographer works with. I think the art lies in how we acknowledge then transcend our structures and limitations.

By: Rebecca @ Diary of a Virgin Novelist

Rebecca @ Diary of a Virgin Novelist — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:12:35 +0000

I totally agree and I think I am both. Even if it is just a few notes in your head, that is planning. Even if you claim your gut is telling you the rhythm of the story, odds are you have internalized the three act structure and are following it.

I started my current novel with no plan (which really means no ending) and I ran into a wall. After stopping, thinking, and yes, some planning, I cut half the manuscript and got back to work. Even though I have a plan now, I find that it keeps changing, so I am learning how to roll with it.

By: nancy

nancy — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:51:25 +0000

I wish I could be more efficient. I start with a scene and a character concept. I write many drafts of that one scene until it’s fully developed. Then I write the next scene. Once I perceive the logic flow, I outline. The problem with pantsing is evident in my current project: my original scene began as chapter 1, then 2, and now–after 8 months–it is chapter 5. Oh! the drudgery of pantsing. I start by the seat of my pants and eventually have to turn them inside-out to get an effective story arc.

By: Robert

Robert — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 02:52:02 +0000

I wrote about my past issues with story structure today. SS is the only way to fly.

How do I register on this site so I can post a avatar of myself in the pic box?