tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554125151787997248.post9063159693756306574..comments2024-02-02T23:22:33.356-08:00Comments on From Sarah, With Joy: NaNoWriMo: And the next plot point is...Sarah Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185278849400551014noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554125151787997248.post-68532736638939248892011-11-02T14:38:00.935-07:002011-11-02T14:38:00.935-07:00I am a firm believer in trying different approache...I am a firm believer in trying different approaches until you find what works best for you. <br /><br />I used to try to plot an outline with a main plot and sub-plots, but I got so confused. Then when I started to write everything went to pieces. <br /><br />I've tried the panster thing and that novel still has so many holes and missteps its ridiculous. <br /><br />I've tried SAVE THE CAT and I still think it is a great book to have and try. I've since moved on to a different method, but I still really like the book. It's great! At least check it out from your local library, hopefully they have it. <br /><br />My latest help came from a critique partner who uses "First Draft in 30 Days" by Karen Wiesner. I can't say that it actually works in 30 days, but some of the plotting information is great. <br /><br />I have finally I decided to pick and chose from all of the above and it seems to work great now. <br /><br />Try as many different methods as you can and see what works for you. Good luck!Heather Helenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08800781359655373969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554125151787997248.post-15617235382725658082011-11-01T17:35:27.632-07:002011-11-01T17:35:27.632-07:00Oh man, you've got to pick up SAVE THE CAT. It...Oh man, you've got to pick up SAVE THE CAT. It's a screenwriting book, but it's a tremendous help for plotting and pacing and even for revising your characters, even for a novel-length book. It's a bit formulaic, but it can really help you see how to lay out your plot and give you some pointers for getting started.Carolina M. Valdez Schneiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589934533051907801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554125151787997248.post-28872634292005465072011-11-01T15:30:37.300-07:002011-11-01T15:30:37.300-07:00I say go with the flow. You may start out writing...I say go with the flow. You may start out writing a plot that goes from A to D, but the journey of discovery that is novel-writing redefines that plot at B to G. Let it flow.Dr. Mohamedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13673867214475179890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554125151787997248.post-38755863444764276882011-11-01T14:52:25.719-07:002011-11-01T14:52:25.719-07:00Plot is my weakness! I don't outline so revisi...Plot is my weakness! I don't outline so revisions are a nightmare for me. My plot usually doesn't come together until the 5th or 6th draft (and sometimes not even then).Jennifer Hillierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15783975547643539868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554125151787997248.post-34650033082647703102011-11-01T10:04:52.516-07:002011-11-01T10:04:52.516-07:00I outline like crazy. But I have started to learn...I outline like crazy. But I have started to learn that the outline is like a funnel. At the start (top) you have the most room to let the story wander/wiggle. When I get near the second half of the book, I have to look back and see if I am still on course or not. If I am then I am good. If not, then I have to point my characters in the direction I need them to go.<br /><br />Looking through my rough draft for my second book. One character who originally should have died in book 1 is forced to do things they don't want to or agree with. It's been quite interesting because I think in a small way, this character steals the show. A character that originally did not exist for this book.SBJoneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10457239074744509487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554125151787997248.post-79768080823561977802011-11-01T09:49:00.186-07:002011-11-01T09:49:00.186-07:00I'm such a panster and use dialogue to help de...I'm such a panster and use dialogue to help develop my plot. Handwriting my chapters first helps, too. Then I get all my ideas out of my head and come up with something way better when I pluck it out on the keyboard.shellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09596621767297173021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554125151787997248.post-62978960073197100572011-11-01T08:29:53.612-07:002011-11-01T08:29:53.612-07:00If I have trouble with plot, it's usually beca...If I have trouble with plot, it's usually because I'm too easy on my characters. They need more to go wrong. They need to make mistakes, have bad things happen to them, and generally do stuff that I know is a bad idea. That's how things get exciting. In other words, create conflict.<br /><br />I also agree with the comment on circular writing. If your character has a troubled past, that can also interfere with what's going on in your book. Thus, you can go back and forth between past and present, trying to explore and resolve all the issues.rebecca h jamisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17064838500590684945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554125151787997248.post-24246598457794119442011-11-01T08:27:49.272-07:002011-11-01T08:27:49.272-07:00I've never done NaNo and I don't know if I...I've never done NaNo and I don't know if I ever will. It'd be cool to do, but for now I'm a chipper. 200+ words a day is my goal.<br /><br />I couldn't help but notice your current number of followers: 666.Ryan Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11093880801598251933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554125151787997248.post-10426650297189541742011-11-01T08:09:21.153-07:002011-11-01T08:09:21.153-07:00I have a general story board outline with no speci...I have a general story board outline with no specifics. That way I have plenty of room for wiggles and sudden explosions of new ideas along the path.<br /><br />I think finding a way that works for us ... is part of the necessary process.Margo Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13474612650116392270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554125151787997248.post-81644950741176839972011-11-01T07:31:50.169-07:002011-11-01T07:31:50.169-07:00Try to write just what comes to mind as it comes t...Try to write just what comes to mind as it comes to mind, forget following ABCDEFG and so on. If plot comes to you as ACFG, follow those. At the moment of writing, write the vision in your mind, and make the plot circular rather than linear.Surazeushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03649381910384416079noreply@blogger.com