tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post6291527686235709617..comments2024-02-14T07:03:03.048-06:00Comments on Cynthia Reese: How I bang my head against my fist and a book comes outCynthia Reesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128418037470085123noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-81006560849310314752010-05-03T18:26:01.963-05:002010-05-03T18:26:01.963-05:00Woahhh! You really plan out everything! You look r...Woahhh! You really plan out everything! You look really organized and from what you've been telling, it's worked wonders for you! I can't, though..I have a hard time planifying anything in my life..!Mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11749102710759250044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-73694418388571407342010-05-02T23:51:12.546-05:002010-05-02T23:51:12.546-05:00Thanks for the advice on my blog. Hopefuly time an...Thanks for the advice on my blog. Hopefuly time and some space should help but your right i do need friendship and writing in my life xoxAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16984046340776072124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-39502361986549560192010-05-02T20:46:24.050-05:002010-05-02T20:46:24.050-05:00My process is pretty much Claire's process. In...My process is pretty much Claire's process. In fact, the ONLY difference is that I use a bunch asterisks on either side of a word needing research. ***car***<br /><br /><br />Which explains why I love first drafts and slog around revision hell.<br /><br />I want to be a plotter like you. I really do. <br /><br />Great post.<br />~LolaLola Sharphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14394765053485642935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-56772657989037406172010-05-02T17:06:14.348-05:002010-05-02T17:06:14.348-05:00That was really interesting - thanks for sharing! ...That was really interesting - thanks for sharing! I'm a total planner too, but you put in some extra steps I haven't tried before.Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-28993514794785529242010-05-01T17:41:05.903-05:002010-05-01T17:41:05.903-05:00Ricks, I ALWAYS need your comments! Glad you enjoy...Ricks, I ALWAYS need your comments! Glad you enjoyed it!<br /><br />Crystal, the pleasure is ours!Cynthia Reesehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128418037470085123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-34888069074008684632010-05-01T14:02:39.910-05:002010-05-01T14:02:39.910-05:00Am loving all these posts! Thanks for sharing.Am loving all these posts! Thanks for sharing.Crystal Poseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09939745305440912406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-30214258877914021582010-05-01T00:35:10.891-05:002010-05-01T00:35:10.891-05:00With 32 comments, you don't need mine. I enjoy...With 32 comments, you don't need mine. I enjoyed reading your post and all 32.BillRicksofSopertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02741731321240926171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-31156076541793878472010-04-30T20:23:20.391-05:002010-04-30T20:23:20.391-05:00Angie, the whole point of this blog chain is for w...Angie, the whole point of this blog chain is for writers to embrace who they ARE ... and to know that it's okay to write any way that works. Plotter, pantser, we're ALL writers!<br /><br />Al, I'm thinking you and I would NOT make good vacation partners, huh? But on the too-little-time-too-many-ideas thinking, you are so right! I'm only now half-way (two-thirds?) through with a WIP with a germinating idea somewhere around 2003. Yeah. 2003.<br /><br />Terresa, what an intriguing idea ... I do know that I tweak the plot based on feedback from Tawna's longing for more romance and Nelsa's, "WHY ARE YOUR CHARACTERS ACTING LIKE THIS?" Can you imagine? A romance author who has to go back and edit more romance in?? *hangs head in shame*<br /><br />Karen, The Husband would say lots of folks neglect to claim me. I figure it's Freudian repression, but he contends it's more deliberate. Thanks for claiming me in the end, though, and celebrating my "mutant" status! :-)Cynthia Reesehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128418037470085123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-26537681304037013632010-04-30T20:02:24.839-05:002010-04-30T20:02:24.839-05:00I'm such a liar. I read T's post and said ...I'm such a liar. I read T's post and said I didn't know you, but yes I do. :)<br /><br />I had no idea you two were CPs but what a great pair. <br /><br />And I love that you're a mutant. ;)kahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10789825860272178765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-47247082372845098312010-04-30T19:39:45.687-05:002010-04-30T19:39:45.687-05:00I just came away from a fab writing conference las...I just came away from a fab writing conference last weekend. Someone suggested to outline 1/3 of your novel, then write it out, then go back & outline the next 1/3, write it out, and then finish it off with outlining the last 1/3 and writing it out.<br /><br />So far, it's working (after trying many other techniques).<br /><br />Glad to have found your blog. Happy weekend & happy writing!!*https://www.blogger.com/profile/06484208765656281917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-35543069857948956232010-04-30T18:00:59.654-05:002010-04-30T18:00:59.654-05:00I am not a planner. I only write a plan so I can i...I am not a planner. I only write a plan so I can ignore it.<br /><br />One thing we do have in common is a word document for saving future ideas. The trouble is there are too many ideas and not enough years.Alhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625543235578144620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-63358334955610634872010-04-30T15:53:10.562-05:002010-04-30T15:53:10.562-05:00Wow, now that is a process! I'm impressed I&#...Wow, now that is a process! I'm impressed I'm not really sure what I do even deserves to be called a process. I'm pretty much a total pantser.Angie Paxtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16858564760009040975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-27152084158909408992010-04-30T12:32:23.309-05:002010-04-30T12:32:23.309-05:00*swoon* Matthew, I likes you LOTS! We're like-...*swoon* Matthew, I likes you LOTS! We're like-minded souls. I LOVE how you detail the goals and motivations and conflicts in each scene. GOTTA do that! <br /><br />*swatting Tawna over the head because she's laughing hysterically at me*<br /><br />I DO use this during revisions (with, ahem, an Excel spreadsheet. Weird, I know), but I've never done that much detail work in the planning. <br /><br />Jayne, the chocolate, oh, yeah, chocolate improves ANYTHING. <br /><br />Susan, you never know. I THOUGHT I was a pantser until I plotted out my first successful novel. After that, I never looked back.<br /><br />LOL, Misty, love the analogy of the amateur football player!<br /><br />Elisabeth, I've learned that sometimes, even when it's plotted, you have to go with your gut. The thing about plotting it out ahead is that at least you know that most things will SORT OF work, and then when you get to the one thing that doesn't, you can depart from it. <br /><br />Plotting it helps me highlight problems I have with conflict and motivation (yes, Nelsa, I do SOMETIMES think about motivation before you nag me! :-) )Cynthia Reesehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128418037470085123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-61129126855371465792010-04-30T12:20:12.404-05:002010-04-30T12:20:12.404-05:00Wow, finally someone else who plots beforehand. Al...Wow, finally someone else who plots beforehand. Although I never stick to mine. <br /><br />Thanks for sharing!Elisabeth Blackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962421339750272755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-51245335242092078542010-04-30T11:47:04.349-05:002010-04-30T11:47:04.349-05:00Cynthia,
Shit! I love this! I'm gonna try it...Cynthia,<br />Shit! I love this! I'm gonna try it out your way and see if it works for me too. My way is just to tackle the story like a amateur football player~ all sloppy with arms and legs shooting everywhere. I've had some novels that are like a massacre at the end instead of a touch down and some pre-strategizing would have fixed it all. I'm all for organization. Love that. Gonna do it. Thanks for the great post!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14650387191688832944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-19532072665573231272010-04-30T11:36:55.813-05:002010-04-30T11:36:55.813-05:00I wish I could be a plotter like you. Seriously. I...I <i>wish</i> I could be a plotter like you. Seriously. It's rather annoying to have write a whole bunch of stuff before knowing where the story is going. <br /><br />Next writing challenge: pretend I'm a plotter for a while, and give it a go. See what happens. Oh, wait, that's doing it by the seat of my pants again. Crap! :)Susan Kaye Quinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07348197999397141067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-43045804877984490002010-04-30T11:33:35.227-05:002010-04-30T11:33:35.227-05:00Hello! I came by via Nicole's lovely blog '...Hello! I came by via Nicole's lovely blog 'One Significant Moment at a Time', and really enjoyed reading about your writing process. The 'rolling it around in your head' stage is very familiar! I also rather enjoy the 'plot it to within an inch of its life' stage. I find that stage usually works well with a little bit of chocolate and a large glass of wine (or the other way around!)Jaynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11309191526500602452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-16355796738256729392010-04-30T11:16:35.148-05:002010-04-30T11:16:35.148-05:00This sounds a lot like the changes I've implem...This sounds a lot like the changes I've implemented in my own process.<br /><br />I just added a Scene Development doc to my repertoire, where I detail motivations/goals/obstacles/turning points/etc for each scene in each chapter. It also helps because I can compartmentalize the scenes in my head (1.1, 1.2, 3.5, etc) and know precisely where in the book they're supposed to fall. It also helps when finding which portion of the book I'm stuck on. ("Uh, what happened while they were at the docks? Oh, that's scene 16.2").<br /><br />I also put together capsules of each character's main motivations, their roles in the story, and their relationships to each other. For my MC and villain, I have detailed character arc sketches for where they start out and where they end up in terms of their characterization. <br /><br />Other than that, I just write the story as it comes to me. <br /><br />Pantser + plotter = moi!Matthew Delmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11452378192874048547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-31582907744772685482010-04-30T10:59:58.641-05:002010-04-30T10:59:58.641-05:00Nelsa, *grin*, you scare me with how you have char...Nelsa, *grin*, you scare me with how you have character motivation firmly in your brain! ;-)<br /><br />Harley May, I never thought about it, but, yeah, I guess I AM calculating -- at least when it comes to writing. It's my analytical brain that I can't shut off!<br /><br />LOL, Toby, ingestro sounds ... serious! Pantsering comes from the phrase "by the seat of your pants" and is a tried and honored method of writing by people who don't, ahem, have to plug in their grocery stores into their GPS system.<br /><br />OK, so I AM a little OCD. <br /><br />Heather and Claire, that's why I'm not in charge of making all people write like me ... because of those twitchy reflexes my process creates in Pantsers the World Over. But I'm convinced that Pantsers can learn from Plotters and Plotters can learn from Pantsers and not kill each other. See? Tawna and I have not killed each other. Yet.<br /><br />And LR, you have hit the nail on the head. I wasted way too much time painting myself in a corner and sinking effort and sweat into novels that imploded, all because I had a secret, lurking plothole.Cynthia Reesehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128418037470085123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-91696811973522462212010-04-30T10:28:49.331-05:002010-04-30T10:28:49.331-05:00Great post. I'm a pantser by nature but have j...Great post. I'm a pantser by nature but have just recently learned that it might be a really good idea to write at least a general synopsis before starting.<br /><br />Can save you a lot of time in the long run, rather than toiling for a year and then realizing "Uh oh, this isn't going to work."LRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16839870925431989156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-69832202141717372452010-04-30T10:14:37.534-05:002010-04-30T10:14:37.534-05:00You're right. Your process would scare the hel...You're right. Your process would scare the hell outta me. In fact, it already does. <br /><br />I'm a pantser. Not as bad as Tawna though, there is actually a plot. Somewhere. Maybe. <br /><br />My process is most like Linda's. I also tried outlining once. I was writing a fantasy and I figured I should keep track of the names of the plants and their properties and all the other strange stuff in the world. Lasted two seconds before I got distracted. <br /><br />I keep the momentum going once I'm in a rhythm. No looking back. If I need to look up something, I CAPSLOCK it. For example, the first draft of one MS has this winning line, "Chevelle sat in her purple CARCARCAR." I wanted a cool car, but just couldn't think which one off the top of my head. It'll get fixed in edits. <br /><br />So my process? <br />1. Mull it over til I feel like exploding. <br />2. Hit the ground writing (running)<br />3. Never look back<br />4. Churn out novel in 17 days or do and leave it alone for 5 months. (not on purpose, but this is what happens. Every time. <br />5. Reread. Laugh at gaping plot holes and characters so thin they could be kites for Easter. <br />6. Edit. Cry. Repeat. <br /><br />Thanks for this. You just became more awesome. (If that's possible.)Claire Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14354840714847021685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-13812067151807867312010-04-30T10:13:08.348-05:002010-04-30T10:13:08.348-05:00Oh, I am so NOT a plotter. This description of yo...Oh, I am so NOT a plotter. This description of your process made me twitch a bit. :) It's very cool that you know the plot points before writing. What happens when you veer? Do you change the outline, or do you try to get back to the original track?<br /><br />Thanks for a look at the other side!!Heather Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06699360166269376285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-63541573684959198362010-04-30T09:43:42.914-05:002010-04-30T09:43:42.914-05:00Wow. You are really calculated. Interesting stuff ...Wow. You are really calculated. Interesting stuff and I'm thoroughly impressed at all your different stages. Thanks.Harley Mayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04241863993211420573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-52288852229341835672010-04-30T09:43:18.107-05:002010-04-30T09:43:18.107-05:00Cynthia scares me with how focussed and organized ...Cynthia scares me with how focussed and organized she is.<br /><br />I've been trying to post a comment on Tawna's blog but some wacky error code keeps coming up. Will keep trying!<br />NelsaNelsahttp://www.out-of-the-wordwork.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292343.post-54145406362871936212010-04-30T09:25:49.397-05:002010-04-30T09:25:49.397-05:00India, so do I ... and regardless of how different...India, so do I ... and regardless of how different the approach, I ALWAYS learn something!<br /><br />Nicole, I swear, pantsering was the reason so many of my first tries ended in a bitter defeat at Chapter Three! Good luck ... there's something so empowering about being able to type THE END for the first time!<br /><br />Patty, I've decided we're not mutants! We're just aliens from Planet Plotter, and on that planet, we're rockstars! ;-)<br /><br />Jingle, I'll pay you 10 virtual bucks if you'll tell that to The Husband. He swears I have no sense of humor. Of course, his sense of humor runs parallel with The Three Stooges, so who am I to judge?<br /><br />Ooooh, Kathi, it's the DESK that's the key, and not my fist! Gotta try this!<br /><br />Awwww, Tawna, me? A real author? Me? Organized? Awwww. You are a TRUE pal.Cynthia Reesehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128418037470085123noreply@blogger.com