#planning vs pantsing

[yvesdot]

HOW TO: PLANNING STREAM!

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023 @ 3:00 PM PDT on Twitch

Come watch me plan a story, start-to-finish, LIVE on stream! Whether you are curious about practical application of various resources, need a place to start for your own outline, or just want to hear me talk about what if cis people were trans, I hope you'll stop by. Thanks OHHOW for the monthly theme of Planning to Pantsing!

Support the author: all posted writing | book | ko-fi | Patreon

WATCH RECORDING ON YOUTUBE

#txt #important writing updates #twitch #writeblr #writeblr stream #writers on tumblr #planning vs pantsing #Recording ideally will happen (thanx to everyone who watched the Romance stream on YouTube!) & will be posted after. #Stream should be about 1.5 hours depending on questions! #Seriously if you just want to hound me about planning this is your best opportunity. I always love Qs and now I can SHOW the answer! #writing advice

[superbeans89]

#shitpost #writeblr #writing memes #lotr #Gandalf memes #you shall not pass #pantsing #vs planning

[writers-hq]

WHY IS WRITING IS SO FUCKING HARD?

Ten types of fuckery that stop you from writing the thing:

1. Imposter syndrome

You think you're not good enough or everyone else is better than you and you're just winging it AKA ye olde imposter syndrome bullshit. Yeah nah you're fine. No really, you're exactly where you need to be right now, and you'll keep getting better and better so long as you don't stop. Chances are, if you're filled with doubt about your abilities it means you've actually improved to the point where you can really start to understand what makes good writing. It means you know where you wanna end up and goshdarn it you're gonna get there.

Read this: 4 tips to kick imposter syndrome in the face and also genitals

And also this: How to silence the inner critic

2. Fear of rejection and/or failure

Yeah, us too. It fuckin sucks. BUT. Not all rejections are equal. And rejection is a necessary part of the process. Sometimes it takes a rejection to realise that a story isn't ready. Sometimes a rejection is entirely subjective and has ZERO reflection on the quality of your work. But shying away from the very idea of possibly maybe hypothetically getting rejected is only going to hold you back from even trying. And knowing why you got rejected and how to learn from it is one of the most valuable writing skills.

Read this: The different types of rejection (and how to deal with 'em)

Then read this: How to cope with rejection

And also this: Writing lessons from Groundhog Day

3. Not enough planning / too much planning

Leaping into a new story with nothing but a glimmer of an idea is exciting as heck (and can sometimes be a great way to begin) but at some point you're gonna need some sort of outline or plan to keep you on track. HOWEVER. Planning your story to within an inch of its life can also sometimes be a hindrance - leaving you stuck in the hypothetical stage of the process where your story doesn't quite exist yet (and therefore avoiding the prospect of it sucking). The sweet spot is in the middle. Having just enough of a plan to know where tf you're going, but enough freedom and flexibility to let the story lead the way...

Read this: Planning vs pantsing

Then read this: Five plotting techniques

And also this: The perils of overplanning

4. Your WIP just isn't working

Sometimes things just fall flat. Sometimes you work on the same story for yeeeeears and then it just kinda... dies. Sometimes you have the best plans (see above) and the best intentions and things still don't work out. Sometimes it's just time to move on. And sometimes it's not! Sometimes a story can be revived, fixed or changed. Sometimes you just need time. Sometimes YOU'RE the one that's changed and this isn't the story you need to be writing right now. Many variables. Muchly personal. Read the things below for more advice cos this is a big question:

Read this: What to do when your WIP isn't working

And also this: Give it space - how to grow a story in your head

Or how about this? Editing 101

5. You keep deprioritising it

Ah the irony of writing being the thing you love/want to do most of all AND YET the thing you procrastinate over and avoid and shove to the very bottom of your to-do list all the freakin' time. Maybe it's the comodification of art destroying our freedom to create without pressure. Maybe it's late capitalism sucking up all our available time and energy. Maybe it's a lack of self-belief subconsciously telling us our 'little hobby' doesn't really matter. Maybe it's maybelline. Whatever it is, you have the power to reclaim and revalue your writing. To say, "I'm a fucking writer, goddamnit!" and mean it. To ringfence your creative time so nothing and nobody gets to interrupt it. To do that thing you love.

Read this: Prioritise your writing

Read this: How to write in 30 second bursts

6. Shiny Thing Syndrome

You know that feeling when you're just getting stuck into a writing project and then — SQUIRREL! — you get distracted by another, better, more shiny writing project? Or maybe you're deep in the editing phase and your current WIP just isn't feeling very shiny at all and pretty much ANYTHING seems more exciting? Or you simply can't decide which of the many squirrelly writing ideas to actually start? You, fine writerperson, may be suffering from Shiny Thing Syndrome (STS). But fear not! There are a few ways to combat it, depending on the cause, and most of them involve embracing the squirrel-brain and injecting a bit of fun into your writing, like so:

Read this: Shiny thing syndrome - a writer's malady

Aaaand read this: Get excited about your writing again

And also this: Write like a kid

7. Perfectionism/self-sabotage

Look. Writing is scary as shit. What if someone READS it? What if they don't like it? What if they see into your soul and gain a deeper understanding of you through your words? Writing your truth, being vulnerable, smearing your heart juice all over the page? No thank you. But also, that's where the good shit is, so actually yes please. Just make sure you smear responsibly. And rest assured, even the most 'successful' and experienced writers ALSO feel like this sometimes, so you're in good company. It's just part of the art, bruh.

Read this: Why writing is scary (and why that's a good thing)

Read this: Beginning a story - what stops us starting?

And also this: Get out of your own way

8. The dreaded blank page

Oh godddd the blank page. It should be an exciting palimseset of possibility but is somehow also the most terrifying thing known to humankind. You wanna write something but where to start? HOW to start? You type that first line and immediately delete it. You watch the cursor blinking at you—taunting you—until you just give up and shut your laptop again. It's probably tied up with a bunch of things we've already covered so far: perfectionism, imposter syndrome, fear of failure, maybe a lack of planning or faith in your story or whatever. But it doesn't have to be this way. A blank page IS exciting and full of possibility. We just have to get over ourselves and learn to embrace the unknown...

Read this: Don't fear the blank page

And also this: The moaning method

9. Not enough time/energy/motivation/gnuuuughh

Dude, same x 1000. But you don't have to get up at 5am, do hot yoga, drink a kale smoothie and write a thousand words before sunrise to be a Proper Writer. You don't even have to write every day. But what you can do is hack your writing brain and figure out when, where, how, and why you write most effectively. Then tweak your schedule, your habits, and your attitude to ensure you're making the most of your time. Productivity is a big ol' lie but finding the secret to getting in your own personal writing zone is actual MAGIC.

Read this: Maximise your writing time

And also this: Get in the writing zone

And also unto this: The Writers' HQ Guide to Productivity

10. You're just fucken stuck

Got the writing morbs? In need of some literary sudafed? Stuck as a pig in a poke? Writing is a whole puzzle of a process—and to be honest that's what makes it so fun and exciting and addictive, because your writing brain is hardwired to both create AND solve the wordy puzzles within your story. Sometimes the answer is time. Sometimes it's a second opinion or a fresh eye. Sometimes a totally different approach or just a hefty kick up the bum. But whatever the problem, there IS a solution. You just gotta keep going and trust that you'll find it...

Read this: Troubleshoot your writing - why are you stuck?

And also this: Break through the writing blockage

And also also this: Write yourself into a pit (and then dig your way out again)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alright, that's it for today. Now go write, you flithy animals.

(And if we missed anything, stick a question in our ask box or check out the rest of our shit here)

#writing #writing advice #writers of tumblr #writeblr #writing community #writers community #writing life #creative writing #national novel writing month #nanowrimo #nanowrimo 2022 #imposter syndrome #perfectionism #writer's block #writers block #writer things #procrastination #productivity #writer problems #blank page #the blank page #WIP #pantser #editing #plotting

[writingquestionsanswered]

I've seen across the web multiples tips for outlining/plotting when you have ADHD, however, I feel like I kinda have the opposite problem: I'm autistic and I always feel a big need of minimum surprises, doing things methodically and planning ahead of time, but my stories don't quite flow and I may need to work a non-forced pantser mindset, so if you gave me any advice on how to embrace a less outlined writing, I'd be eternally grateful.

Middle Ground Between Planning and Pantsing

It sounds like you need a middle ground between planning and pantsing, but it may take some trial and error to find one that works for you. Here are some possibilities, though:

1 - Do a Beginning to End Summary - Most of the time when people talk about outlining a story, this is what they're talking about. Just doing an in-depth beginning to end summary. However, you can adjust the depth of your summary to suit your needs, which makes it a great tool for when you need something with just the right balance of planning and spontaneity to fit your unique set of needs. Try free writing a summary of the story as though you were explaining it to someone else. Talk about as much of what's going to happen as you know or can flesh out as you go. Just having this in hand when you write can be helpful. If you find you need more structure, you can go into more detail. If you find you need less, you can pull back.

2 - Use a Story Structure Template - I've found that 90% of the time when writers struggle with planning vs pantsing and/or outlining, it's because they don't have a good understanding of how stories work and how they're generally structured. How stories work and how they're structured does depend on the type of story you're writing, but outside of experimental or deeply literary stories, most stories do have some sort of structure. You can learn more about plot and story structure, along with suggestions for story structure templates, in my Plot & Story Structure master list of posts.

3 - Do a Scene List - I'm mostly a planner, but I have to be careful not to let myself get bogged down with too much planning and too many details. So, for me, the best middle ground between planning and pantsing has been scene lists. I love scene lists because they're such a straightforward road map to your story, while at the same time having the depth flexibility of a beginning to end summary. You can put in as much or as little detail as you want. A scene list can be a just a list of scene titles that just let you know what's going on in the scene, like: Scene 1 - Hunting with Gale. Scene 2 - The Reaping. Or, you can do a brief or in-depth summary of what happens in each scene. Or you can even do what I do, which is a fairly extensive data table containing things like when and where the scene takes place, who's in it, plot point, summary, etc.

4 - Do Chapter Summaries - If you prefer not to break your story down into scenes, you can do chapter summaries instead. Like a scene list, this can be as light or in-depth as a scene list, from a list of chapter titles or working titles that suggest what happens, to in-depth summaries of what happens in each chapter.

5 - Do a Timeline - Timelines are kind of like scene lists in that they break your story down into important events/moments, and you can choose how deep to go. There are a also a lot of different formats you can use for a timeline, but you might want to start out by doing an old-fashioned line drawn on paper, then mark in the most important events. From there, you can start filling in the next most important events, then the slightly less most important, zooming in as much as you want to.

I hope something here will work for you!

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

I’ve been writing seriously for over 30 years and love to share what I’ve learned. Have a writing question? My inbox is always open!

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[slayingfiction]

Plotters VS. Pansters

Don’t forget our Grand Opening Giveaway starts February 1st/24 on Tumblr, Instagram and slayingfiction.com! You don’t want to miss it! Happy Writing!

In the world of writing, there are two types of creators often discussed: plotters and pantsers. These terms describe a writer’s approach to crafting stories. Whether you’re an aspiring author or a seasoned novelist, understanding these styles can offer valuable insights into your writing process. Let’s dive into what makes plotters and pantsers distinct and how each approach contributes to the

art of storytelling.

Plotters: Architects of the Written World

Plotters, often referred to as ‘architects,’ are writers who plan their stories meticulously before diving into the actual writing. They are the mapmakers of the writing world, charting out each twist and turn of their narrative.

Detailed Outlining: Plotters create extensive outlines, character profiles, and world-building elements before penning their first sentence.

Controlled Storytelling: This style lends itself to a controlled narrative with fewer inconsistencies and plot holes.

Time Investment: Plotting can be time-consuming initially, but it often makes the writing process smoother.

Famous Plotters: J.K. Rowling and John Grisham are notable plotters, known for their detailed story planning.

Pantsers: The Free Spirits of Storytelling

Pantsers, or ‘gardeners,’ as George R.R. Martin likes to call them, write ‘by the seat of their pants.’ They dive into writing with a general idea or none at all, discovering the story as they go along.

Spontaneous Creation: Pantsers often begin with a basic concept or character and let the story unfold naturally.

Flexible and Dynamic: This style allows for more flexibility, often leading to surprising and dynamic plot turns.

Adaptable Process: Pantsing can be less intimidating for some writers, as it doesn’t require extensive pre-planning.

Famous Pantsers: Stephen King and Margaret Atwood are known for their pantser style, crafting intricate stories with a more spontaneous approach.

Which Approach is Better?

The truth is, there’s no ‘better’ approach. Both plotters and pantsers have their strengths and challenges. Some writers are strict plotters or pantsers, while others fall somewhere in between, employing techniques from both styles.

1. Mix and Match: Many successful authors use a combination of plotting and pantsing. They may start with a rough outline but allow room for the story to evolve.

Personal Preference: The best method depends on what works for you as a writer. Experiment with both styles to find your comfort zone.

Genre Considerations: Some genres, like mystery or high fantasy, might benefit more from plotting due to their complex plots and world-building.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a plotter, a pantser, or somewhere in between, the most important thing is to keep writing. Each approach offers unique pathways to creativity, and understanding your own method can enhance your writing experience. Embrace your style, and let it guide you in your storytelling journey.

Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to write a story. The beauty of writing lies in the diversity of its creation.

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#creative writing #fiction #novel writing #pansters #plotter #writing #Writing advice #Writing community #Writing fiction #Writing reference #Writing resources #writing tips

[thatseventiesbitch]

Eric Defending Donna

A rabbit hole I went down for... reasons. Decided to share for funsies.

Season 2 -

In Eric Gets Suspended, Donna is smoking a cigarette on school property and when a teacher catches her, Eric says it's his. He is suspended as a result.

Mentioned in a diary entry that I think is meant to take place sometime in season 2 or 3 - Eric and Donna go to a dive bar to watch the superbowl, and a big, dumb guy starts hitting on Donna. Eric comes to her defense and asks the guy to step outside - while he and Donna slip out the side door (😂).

Season 3 -

At the end of the roller disco episode, Eric comes into the basement and starts whaling on Kelso (and the guys gleefully join in). He shouts, "Donna told me what you did, you dillhole!" Eric was hitting Kelso because he'd made a pass at Donna at the roller disco.

In the ice shack episode, Eric and Donna play the Newlywed Game vs. Jackie and Kelso. Through one of the questions, it is revealed that Donna's told Eric she hates her huge feet. He insists in front of everyone that he doesn't think they're big, and then pivots to insisting that big feet are actually a good thing (😂).

Eric also defended her after he pantsed her in the driveway and Hyde was teasing Donna and calling her Granny Panties. "So what if she wears big panties?" 😂🤣😭

Season 4 -

Eric believes Casey Kelso is manipulating Donna. He tells him not to let Donna believe he cares about her if it's not true, and to let her go rather than hurt her. When Casey disregards his words, Eric threatens to kick his ass (if he makes Donna cry).

He is also very protective of her after the incident with Casey Kelso at the Le Motel. He tells her that he thinks Casey's all wrong for her and that they're moving way too fast.

Season 5 -

When Bob enrolls Donna in the Catholic school, Eric 'marches' over to talk to Bob and try to convince him to let Donna stay at school with him/her friends. He brings a crumb cake to bribe him. He even says he is "prepared to fight this with every fiber of my being" - until he sees her uniform. 🤣

Eric's Grandma Bea is rude towards Donna, seeming to imply that Eric can and should find someone better to marry. While Eric initially enjoys the fact that someone thinks Donna's the lucky one and he's the catch, he eventually tells his grandma that she has got to give Donna a chance, and that if she does she will love her. (Though unfortunately it doesn't work, *lol*)

Jackie's upset with Eric and Donna for threatening to tell Kelso about her secret relationship with Hyde, so in a snappy moment she refers to Donna as a 'big red whore'. Eric tells her to watch what she says.

Season 6 -

When they have their pregnancy scare and their parents confront them in the living room, Donna has to ask him to step in (*lol*), but he does, and says, "Look, whether we're pregnant or not, Donna and I can run our own lives." Unfortunately the next sentence out of his mouth was... utter crap.

After Mitch takes Donna to his brother's wedding and then lied and embarrassed her in front of everybody, Eric was going to fight him. When Mitch tried to weasel out of it, Eric's response was "Donna was really nice to you and you humiliated her - I can't let you treat people like that."

Season 7 -

When Donna's boss at the radio station fires her for refusing to wear a bikini to promote her show, Eric backs her up. He even 'cusses out' her boss and then storms out, taking her with him! Then he comes up with a devious plan that ultimately helps Donna win her job back.

*Note: I purposely did not include the scene where Eric confronts David Millbank in season 1, because although Eric wanted to fight him for Donna, it wasn't on Donna's behalf but because of his own insecurity. And we know for a fact that Donna didn't like it.

#Did I forget any?? #That 70s Show #That '70s Show #T7S #Eric and Donna #Eric x Donna #Donna x Eric #otp: mom and dad #Eric Forman #Donna Pinciotti #my essays

[elizmanderson]

Hi, here's my attempt at a specific question(s) for 'Remarkable Retirement"

Does Edna ever get a cat?

What was the writing process like, do you have a favorite scene?

How fantasy-esque versus modern-day esque is Remarkable Retirement?

Also also

"a dragon who hoards flowers"

more info on this one. I love this one.

I'll try to get the book whenever I'm able, it seems really interesting

<3

ahhhhhhhhh excellent. sweet sweet questions. let's talk about Remarkable Retirement!

Does Edna ever get a cat?

not in the published book! originally she adopted a stray who lived outside the nursing home and brought him partway on her adventure with him, but then he got cut because I am terrible at keeping track of characters' pets.

it is actually canonical that she's had a cat at some point, bc when she has to name something for Magical Purposes, we learn she's bad at naming things. she once adopted a stray cat and called it Kitty.

(in one draft it's stated that her son's father named their son for this reason lmao but I don't think that line survived)

What was the writing process like? Do you have a favorite scene?

part one of this question:

long and chaotic lmao. I wrote the first draft as part of a last-man-standing-style writing challenge in which I had to write at least 1000 words/week by the weekly deadline or drop out.

I made it all the way to the end for a grand total of 72 weeks. the last several weeks, the creator upped the word count each week (from 1000 to 1500 to 8,000 to 12,000 to 20,000) to pressure the last of us left standing to drop out so they could start the next round.

it was unsuccessful, as two of us not only reached but smashed right through the 20k goal of week 72 and were declared joint winners lmao. I wrote 32k that week and finished the draft at about 160,000 words.

I leaned heavily into pantsing for the first draft: I knew a few major plot points going into the first draft but otherwise figured most of the story out each week as I wrote more of it.

for subsequent drafts, which were revised over the next two years, I did considerably more planning. but still plenty of angst lol, especially since 160,000 is pretty chonky and the first draft needed some major restructuring. I think there were three major rounds of revisions total before I started querying.

(queried for two years, got lots of "love this but it's not marketable," and finally published with a small press that said "love this and we want to publish it." although I do have an agent now! but I got my agent with a different manuscript.)

part two of this question:

I do love a major plot twist and spent most of my first draft looking forward to writing it. but I think my favorite scene is probably the soft moment in the hospital between Edna and Amir. they're just *anime fist clench* so soft together.

plus it includes Amir calling Edna "Edna" instead of "Mrs. Fisher" for the first time, and I am a slut for a good name thing.

How fantasy-esque vs. modern-day-esque is Remarkable Retirement?

Remarkable Retirement leans heavily modern day, but magic exists and everyone knows about it. so the setting is modern and the characters travel to some real places, like Detroit and my hometown and California, and there are real-world things like nursing homes and cell phones.

but then you've got a part of the U.S. military that deals with dragons because there are dragons, and you've got a council of wizards that's mostly useless, and some of the nursing homes (not Edna's) are magical homes, and you can magically enhance your cell phone (but not iPhones because Apple doesn't let you do that).

so like. it's set in more-or-less the modern-day U.S. (minus the pandemic, which hadn't started yet when I wrote the book), but the fantasy elements exist openly alongside all the real-world stuff.

More info about the dragon who hoards flowers

his name is Basil and I love him very much

#answered #the remarkable retirement of edna fisher #e's writing #title game

[thequeenofthewinter]

Your answer on the pantsing/planning ask actually got me super curious :> Talk to me about your experience writing specifically a series, where you have multiple installments in the same 'verse, so to speak. Did you know you were going to be writing a multiple-volume story when you started, or did it sort of unfurl on its own? What are the main differences in your experience of writing the first installment, vs working your way through the second? Do you carefully plan all the beats in advance, or do you enjoy meandering through the milestones and seeing where the journey will take you? Bonus: is there a point, for you, where the universe of your story starts taking a life of its own, and feel like it has a logic of its own, or do you stay close to canon throughout? Relatedly, are there side stories in your specific series 'verse that you'd like to tell, but haven't gotten to yet? No rush, and thanks for indulging my curiosity ;)

Ah, well, in true pantser fashion…uh, when I first started out on this jaunty stroll into madness—I mean—writing, I had very loose beats, so to speak and an even loser concept of what was going to happen or where it was going other than:

Civil War

A romance with the most controversial and possibly most hated character in all of Skyrim. (Because I am self-indulgent and I like controversy.)

So, really great plan, right?

Anyway, if I am 100% honest if you, I wasn’t even sure I was going to finish it. The first time I opened my Word document, (I was working in Word then instead of Scrivener.) words were so hard to word and I almost gave up after the first three paragraphs. (Which are still in their untouched original state in chapter one.) 

So, I guess to answer your first question, no, I had no idea I was going to be a multi-volume story, and it very much unfurled its sail all on its own.

As for the main differences between writing the first installment to the second…it might be a weird thing to say, but I have a much laxer approach to it. When I just started writing I fussed with every word in every sentence and how it would be received, and I’m much more—free flowing? now. And I like that. I used to worry so much about trying to get things “perfect” or how people would like this or that or if this idea was stupid or too dramatic—and you know what? Fic is fun. It can be whatever I want it to be and it isn’t going to be perfect in the plot or the structure and not everyone is going to like every bit, but it’s mine and I am damn proud of it. Learning to let go and just do was the most important lesson for me.

Ideas go from brain to fingertips with more ease for me now, and I believe that I have learned a lot and have improved in the 250k words from the first fic to the second where I am about to hit another 100k.

As for the next question, I think it is a little connected to the last. When I started writing, the plan was “Civil War” and maybe try to throw in some other things. So all those beats were mostly planned for me, but the way to get there was very open. I am a rambling, meandering soul by heart. I don’t make detailed outlines or take extensive notes, and I know some would look at my writing in absolute horror because of it, but it has been working for me.

A major difference between the first installment of the series and the second is that it’s “totally” unscripted for the most part, meaning that I don’t have the game to guide me and use as a crutch. Once I got halfway through “In the Midst of Winter”, I started thinking about where I would go and where the logical conclusion would be. We could end at the Civil War, but well, we all know what would happen next: the Moot. But we never get to see that in the game. So, that’s where I wanted to go, and as you kind of already know I am currently navigating a snake pit of politics, and later, we’re going to try to take a stab at a 2nd Great War. How will it go? No idea. But will I have fun along the way? You betcha, and that’s all I am concerned about at the moment.

Bonus question? I always take the extra credit. 

I would say that I try to follow canon within reason as in we are not going to suddenly make Ulfric a giant cuddly teddy bear, but at the same time I think the universe and the characters DEFINITELY take a mind of their own. Don’t even get me started on that. They take the wheel frequently and “turn this car around” to tell me that we’re going the wrong way to pick up a Wendy’s frosty. So, perhaps I would say it’s a little of both? 

As for side stories, definitely. If you continue reading “In the Midst of Winter”, you’ll eventually meet another OC named Narile. While I do tell a bit of her story in the sense of what happens to her in the moment, she has a backstory which I haven’t had the time to tell. And well…I also started post-main quest and I could tell THAT story as well. Or even write about Dahlia’s time in the College. So many words, so little time.

Thank you very much for the questions, Para. I thoroughly enjoyed answering these questions. <3

#winter talks writing #winter answer asks #very thoughtful questions Para #you're making me use my noodle

[seeingteacupsindragons]

Brains are especially prone to bullying us in this darkest week of the year that also has the most pressure on it to be HaPPy and MaGiCAl. I'm sorry you're having a rough week!

Couple asks: do you do New Year's resolutions or set goals or anything like that? If so, any you're willing to share?

Second, we've talked a lot about pantsing vs outlining etc. This is semi-related I guess. I seem to have backed myself into a corner where I have a very specific scene I want to write, but that doesn't seem to be where the story wants to go, so everything I try to do to get there feels forced and dry. Do you think I need to drop the planned scene entirely to get my flow back? Is there some magic trick to get my brain to cooperate with me daring to plan something for once? 😅

Work has been a bear and hormones are currently out of whack, so it's not like it's surprising and honestly could be a lot worse, but I'm just so tired and grumpy and feeling underappreciated. I'm going to go take a nap soon.

One:

Yes, I do set New Year's Resolutions, sort of, but I haven't actually made most of them in a few years. They're typically writing-goal oriented, and I'm not generally very married to them. But they're goals. Things like getting back in querying (missed it again, thanks concussion), finishing drafts, starting new things. I think this year it's going to be finding a new CP, getting Tiadane's book out the door, and finishing at least one draft of Avel's.

Two:

I have a number of times had to drop plot lines I liked the idea of or scenes because they just never fit into the story or I never had time for them (in the story line). I suspect this will always happen, and it's a little sad, but sometimes it's just better for that particular story.

But there are ways around it:

Write it anyway, and if it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit. You still have that scene you love.

Plan the damn story around the things you want most to include, and therefore that scene you want to do (this can be hard because you can do that and then sometimes the story warps and it's weird anyway).

Write a new story to stick The Thing in. Very popular choice.

Sometimes also talking through the problem and articulating why the story is veering in a different direction from that scene can be helpful (even if only talking to yourself).

For example, that I'm just making up on the spot here:

The Scene: A very dramatic reunion between Protag and Love Interest set in Protag's home after a year apart, and one of them is wounded and dripping wet from the rain and there's a couple lines you really like about what they meant and why they left and why they couldn't return sooner and the other getting down on their knees to beg for forgiveness or whatever the hell.

Why would the story not want to go there? It's great, right?

Except maybe the dramatic confession words you imagined don't quite work with other ways you've described the feelings so it doesn't seem like a way to sum it up

Maybe the location is wrong, because Protag's home has become a source of too much safety and it seems wrong to have a dramatic confrontation there, or the layout you made for it doesn't match your Cinematic Daydream.

Wait, why are they going to someone they haven't seen in a year wounded they have other options and they're not actually the type of person to do that despite how cool it looked in your head.

And then once you kind of narrow down the specific sort of direction the story is building to and the specific location the Scene That Doesn't Fit is in, you can see if one or the other can shift towards the other so they can meet together, or if it's just irreconcilable, or you have to pick which elements are most important and how you can repurpose them.

I don't know if this is helpful. Maybe? Lemme know, I guess.

[goldenlaurelleaveswrites]

6, 13, 20 if possible

I meant to answer this yesterday, but I by the time I got to the end of the day and had some free time I was wiped. Sorry about the delay!

Ask me about my writing.

6. What Topic would you love to explore in your writing?

There are so many topics I would love to explore in my writing (quite a few of which I already have plans for). Even within a single topic, there are so many different facets of a topic that can be explored or twisted in different ways.

One topic I've always been fascinated with is fate vs. freewill (blame it on me being a mythology and classics nerd), and all the different directions it can be taken in and play out.

To spare you all the essay of ideas I find fascinating, I'll list a few of the board topics I'm interested in (if I got into all the ways I want to explore each one then we would all be here all day 😂)

fate vs freewill

identity

ordinary magic

retellings of fairytales with twists

That isn't even close to an exhaustive list, but I think it gives a few of the key ones.

13. What feedback did you receive for your writing that stuck with you?

I think the feedback that's stuck with me the most is people telling me that my writing made their day better, or made them feel something. I write because it brings me joy (even when I'm screaming at the characters because they aren't cooperating 😂) and I love putting the stories swirling in my head into tangible words. I share my stories because I hope they bring joy to others (even if some characters are causing the readers frustration too - sometimes we all have to scream at the page 😂). There will always be areas of growth for me in my writing, because no one is perfect. But knowing that I was able to make someone laugh or cry (sometimes we all need a good, cathartic cry), and ultimately give them a moment a joy through my stories is something that's stuck with me he most.

20. Do you have one piece of advice for your fellow writers?

You asked for one piece of advice... but I'm an overachiever 😅

Some of this advice was passed along to me from other writers, some I learned the hard way 😂

First and foremost, always write for yourself - tell the stories you want to tell the way you want to. Write because you want to.

Find what works best for you. We all have our own processes, what might work for one person won't for another (writing linear vs. crazy quilting, planning vs. pantsing, working on one story vs. multiple at once, etc)

Always be open to inspiration. It can and will come from anywhere.

Rest when you need to. Your stories will still be there when you're ready.

Sometimes you have to cut the line/scene/plot point/etc for the story to work. Never fully delete it, save it to a scrap document because it might be useful later or for a different story.

Always save your work. And save it often. Back it up too, so that you have it in multiple places.

There is an inherent level of vulnerability in sharing your work. Not everyone who interacts with your creations will acknowledge and/or appreciate that. Be careful who you listen to for advice, and you do not need to listen to unsolicited advice from a stranger.

Let yourself fall in love with the process, the good, the "bad," and the messy.

Don't compare yourself to others. We are all at different stages of the creative journey, and we all bring different experiences into our creative spaces.

We all have our insecurities about our writing, no matter how many kudos/likes, shares/reblogs/, and so on that we have. At the end of the day, we're all just people creating because we love to and sharing our creations for our own reasons.

#writer's ask game #ask game #agent-oink

[k--havok]

Rane and Korzan's Fantastical Update 4

Date: March 13th, 2023

| One | Two | Three | Four |

R&FKA Tag List: @ceph-the-ghost-writer @authoralexharvey @dogmomwrites @saintedseraph @little-mouse-gardens @lola-theshowgrl

· ─── ❖︎· · ─────── ·❖︎· ─────── · ·❖︎❖︎❖︎· · ─────── ·❖︎· ─────── · ·❖︎ ─── ·

It's been a while!

I've been super tired and busy the past few weeks. I'm working OT basically all March, which is def. odd for my career, which means it was too good to pass up. Also I've been trying to learn how to ride a bike (yes I am 25 lol) and working on my mental health. All of that together has left me with basically no will to write.

But! I did manage to finish Chapter 6 of Rane and Korzan and I hope to start on Chapter 7 this week as well. Mayhaps even finish if I can find the time to! We shall see.

Working on Rane and Korzan has really made me feel better about my first drafts. I find that it's been a lot easier to kinda let go and not worry about the things I am writing. I also think its been easier since Rane and Korzan have a pretty external conflict, while a lot of my other works tend to be more internal, which is a lot more difficult for me to write. But I am getting there.

When it comes to planning vs pantsing, I've always struggled with all of the above. When I pants, I lose steam in the middle. When I outline I ALSO lose steam in the middle, but because the story tends to start doing its own thing and going off the rails, leaving my outline in the dust.

I know there is a middle ground, but I've never really found footing on it till now. Even tho there are things popping up in the story I didn't expect, it's not making me go off the rails or even freak out. In fact, it's helped me build out some of the side plots, which help fill in the story and bring some interesting character interaction along with it!

Anyways! Excerpt from Chapter 6 under the cut! · ─── ❖︎· · ─────── ·❖︎· ─────── · ·❖︎❖︎❖︎· · ─────── ·❖︎· ─────── · ·❖︎ ─── ·

As soon as the two left the temple, Rane released her grip on Korzan’s wrist. “You know, antagonizing those who just healed me isn’t the best course of action to win the trust of these townsfolk.”

“As if they would trust me anyways,” Korzan said with a grumble. “Besides, what cleric allows local bureaucracy stop her from tending to those in need?” 

Rane pinched the bridge of her nose. “Well, it sounds like we have more people to talk to now. We should find this captain. He may know more.”

Korzan grunted. 

As the two began their return to the town, a slow and wry smile crept up upon Rane’s lips. She couldn’t quite bite down on her small, amused chortle. She eyed the tiefling from the corner of her hazel eyes, shaking her head. 

“What?” Korzan asked when her glances became too much. 

“And you said that we should leave these people to their own problems. And now you are arguing with clerics regarding their sense of duty to help others. I suppose it is a bit hypocritical, is it not?” 

“Not at all. I am no cleric and don’t live here. I have no duty to these townsfolk.”

“Of course.” Still, Rane’s amused smile refused to fall. 

#Rane and Korzan's Fantastical Adventure #writeblr #d&d #dungeons and dragons #am writing #R&KFA #writers on tumblr #snippet #lanx writes #my writing

[pixieposts]

What software do you use to write your first? How long do you aim to make each chapter? Do you plot or are you a pantser?

Ohhh hello!

I use Word usually, just because it's already on my laptop and desktop, so I can easily switch between them when I need to. But most of my ideas start in my phone notes 😅. Chapter length depends on the fic, if it's going to be a longer story I tend to hover around the 4-6k mark, but if it's shorter I just go until I find a good cut off spot.

As for plotting vs pantsing.... I wish I could say I was a plotter, but even when I do have a plot set out I usually change it so much by the end that the original plan looks like a totally different fic 🤣. My longest fic to date (TLaGM) started out with a lot of scenes planned that got cut, and I dreamed up a bunch of new ones that led to me re-writting so many others and just... Yeah 😅

#my writing habits are a mess #but thank you for asking! #this was sweet to see in the inbox! #💖

[laresearchette]

Tuesday, March 26, 2024 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES? THE TRUTH VS. ALEX JONES (HBO Canada) 9:00pm

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

AMAZON PRIME TIG NOTARO: HELLO AGAIN

CBC GEM MY PET ASSASSIN SAVING THE ANIMALS OF UKRAINE

NETFLIX CANADA DAVE ATTELL: HOT CROSS BUNS

MLB SPRING TRAINING (SN) 2:00pm: Red Sox vs. Rangers

NHL HOCKEY (SN) 7:00pm: Bruins vs. Panthers (TSN4) 7:00pm: Devils vs. Leafs (SNWest/TSN3) 8:00pm: Oilers vs. Jets (SN1) 8:30pm: Flames vs. Chicago (TSN2) 9:00pm: Habs vs. Avalanche

BIG BROTHER CANADA (Global) 7:00pm

NBA BASKETBALL (SN Now) 7:30pm: Warriors vs. Heat

THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES (CBC) 8:00pm

CANADA'S GOT TALENT (City TV) 8:00pm: You Belong Here…

MARY MAKES IT EASY (CTV Life) 8:00pm: Movie Night

SON OF A CRITCH (CBC) 8:30pm: When Mark finally gets the chance to take the stage as a stand-up comedian, he realizes he doesn't have his own distinct voice; Mark draws inspiration from those who matter the most to him.

COMFORT FOOD WITH SPENCER WATTS (CTV Life) 8:30pm: Any Day is Game Day

ONE MORE TIME (CBC) 9:00pm: When the team discovers they have a serial shoplifter, they set out to put an end to the thievery.

HUDSON & REX (City TV) 9:00pm: Charlie fears the worst after Rex goes missing while investigating the theft of a champion horse.

TREATY ROAD (APTN) 9:00pm: Erin becomes a mother and visits her homelands on Treaty 4 territory in Saskatchewan; she and Saxon walk through the remains of a residential school and learn about the push to honour the memory of children whose lives were lost at residential school.

GOLD RUSH: WHITE WATER (Discovery Canada) 9:00pm: Reeling from tragic news, Dustin and the miners fight to get a diver in the water earlier than ever before, and their determination is rewarded.

THE HAUNTED MUSEUM (DTour) 9:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE): In desperate need of money to pay for her son's medical treatment, a single mother becomes a sex worker at a legal brothel; when a murderous ghost begins stalking her, she must unravel the mystery before she becomes the entity's next victim.

RUN THE BURBS (CBC) 9:30pm: Andrew's vasectomy plan strains his friendship with Hudson, while Camille and Khia clash over buying a car.

SLEEPING WITH A KILLER (Lifetime Canada) 10:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): Where Is Kimberly? - Kimberly Greene-Medina, Colorado: The 1996 disappearance of Kimberly went unsolved until 2005, when her husband confessed to it after being arrested for the murder of his own son.

THE VALLEY (Slice) 10:15pm: Nia is angry about Jax pantsing her husband in front of the group; Jesse finds himself in hot water with Kristen and Luke over an inappropriate action; Jax's guy's night comes crashing down when he invites a surprise visitor who blindsides Luke.

ABSOLUTELY CANADIAN (CBC) 11:30pm: Reel shorts: Toronto (2023): Short films produced by students in television, film, media arts, animation and independent filmmakers from Toronto-GTA.

#cdntv #cancon #canadian tv #canadian tv listings #big brother canada #this hour has 22 minutes #canada's got talent #mary makes it easy #son of a critch #comfort food with spencer watts #one more time #hudson & rex #treaty road #run the burbs #absolutely canadian #mlb baseball #nhl hockey #nba basketball

[grendhillchron]

S3E6: Plotting vs Pantsing in Epic Fantasy with Author Todd Fahnestock

Today I talk with Epic Fantasy author Todd Fahnestock about writing with a carefully planned story, “plotting,” vs flying by the seat of one’s pants, “pantsing,” also called discovery writing. While I’m more of a plotter, Todd favors largely pantsing it. You can find his exciting books at https://toddfahnestock.com/ . By the way, he has a new book coming out next Wednesday, February 6, 2024!…

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#Youtube

[writingquestionsanswered]

How do I start a story? I find that the first page is always the hardest to write, because I just don’t know how to introduce whatever it is I’m thinking. Or what I should be introducing in the first place.

Not Sure How to Start a Story

Starting a story happens in one of three ways:

Wing it, wring it, or a little of both.

Winging It (AKA "Pantsing") - Winging or "pantsing" a story means that you sit down and start writing with only what's in your head. For some that can mean knowing everything that's going to happen from beginning to end, for others it can mean just having a vague idea or story goal. In either case, there are two non-negotiable requirements for successfully winging a story... at least a good one: 1) You need to be SUPER motivated by the idea. 2) You need to understand how stories work. The majority of writers aren't "pantsers" meaning that they can't sit down and successfully write a good story without some level of planning.

Wringing It (AKA "Planning") - Wringing (as in wringing out) or planning a story means that you start with an idea--either one that already popped into your head, or one that you searched out--and you spend a lot of time fleshing that idea out into a story. "Planning" a story means different things to different writers, but usually it requires a lot of brainstorming, planning the story's structure, world building, character design, research, and plotting out what needs to happen in the story. It can sometimes even mean spending time to learning about plot and story structure, as well as other storytelling mechanics. Planners sometimes need only beginning to end summary of their story, but many like to use scene lists, timelines, mood boards, scene cards, chapter summaries... really planning tool that works for them. Figuring out your story's events from beginning to end is called "plotting" or sometimes "outlining." Most newer writers do best as planners.

A Little of Both (AKA "Plantsing") - Most writers are "plantsers," especially once they've gotten the experience of completing a few stories. Plantsers may spend time brainstorming and fleshing things out, may even write out a summary or scene list, but since they fully understand how stories work, it's easier for them to write a story without having every detail planned out.

Why You're Struggling to Write the First Page

The reason you're struggling to write the first page is because you don't have what you need to wing it. You're not a "pantser," at least not yet. This is most likely due to not understanding how stories work, or it could be that you just aren't inspired enough by this idea for it to draw out naturally as you write. In either case, you need to take a step back and spend some time planning out this story.

Here are some posts to help:

Beginning a New Story How to Move a Story Forward Guide: How to Turn Ideas into a Story Plot Driven vs Character Driven Stories Understanding Goals and Conflict Basic Story Structure Guide: How to Outline a Plot Scene Lists

Best of luck with your story! ♥

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

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#writing tips #writing help #writing advice #wqaadvice

[ancientroyalblood]

Plotting vs. Pantsing: Striking the Balance in Your Writing Process

Every writer embarks on a unique journey when they sit down to craft their stories. One of the most fundamental decisions a writer faces is whether to meticulously outline their plot (plotting) or dive headfirst into writing without a concrete plan (pantsing). Both approaches have their merits and drawbacks, and in this blog post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of each. We’ll also discuss how to…

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#Balancing Creativity #Creative Writing #Editing #Outlining #Pantsing #Plotting #Storytelling Methods #Writer&039;s Style #Writing Process #Writing Techniques