From Pantser to Plotter by Dora Hiers

Happy New Year!

I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions. If there's something in my personal life that needs to change, why wait? Why should my writing life be any different?

In September 2012, I resolved to evolve from pantser to plotter. For those of you unfamiliar with the terms: 

A pantser sits down in front of their laptop and starts typing, with only a few rough ideas for either characters or story floating around in their head. 

A plotter uses an outline and finds their rhythm by organizing their thoughts prior to any actual writing. 

Usually, a writer falls naturally into one category. Trying to do the opposite of what comes natural is like writing left-handed when you normally use your right. Early on, I tried both methods, but plotting frustrated me so much that I considered inflicting serious damage to my laptop.

But as I celebrated with writer friends over their multi-book contracts, I knew that I'd never be able to accomplish this if I couldn't learn to plot. A key component of the proposal is the synopsis. No synopsis=No proposal.

I started my transition by writing two proposals encompassing five books total, which meant writing books from a synopsis instead of the reverse. I’m thrilled to report that my first book is complete, and the second, roughly thirty percent. Woo-hoo!

Want to know how I transitioned from pantser to plotter? I'll share my secrets. :-)

Pray. 

Characters. I'm a visual person. I need pictures, so I started by finding my hero/heroine online and getting to know them. Then, I asked my character (whichever one you connect with first) these questions.

What do you want? (Goal)

Why do you want it? (Motivation)

Why can't you have it? (Conflict) 

Develop the story idea/premise. What terrible thing happened in my character's past to make them how they are today? Keep asking "what if?" until you come up with a story idea.

Write a few pages. Writing backstory helped me flesh out the characters more, so that I could go back and fill in some of the blanks. Just write a bit and let words flow. It's OK. You’ll delete them. The goal is for the story to reveal itself. You may need to tweak the premise after doing this.

Picture the story sequence in your head. Do what it takes to find your zone. Close your eyes. Throw in a CD. Let your dog walk you around the park. Record the chapter number, the date, point-of-view, and what you expect to happen in that chapter/scene. If you know how you want the book to end, you can skip down and work backward.

Implement a schedule. You must map out a timeline for the completion of your books. I’ll share more on this next week.

It’s your turn.

If you're a pantser, how do you write proposals?

Do you ever see yourself evolving into a plotter? Why or why not?

To God Alone Be the Glory

 

 

Happy Wednesday, my writing friends, 

 

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory. Psalm 115:1

 

I know I've been talking about it a lot, but will you indulge me one more post about my new book release, Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska? My co-author, Tricia Goyer, along with our AMAZING launch team have been gearing up for it for about a month now. Our baby finally released yesterday. Woo hoo! 

 

I was so nervous. After Tricia and I finished edits, I honestly didn't know if this manifestation of hours and hours of work was any good. I worried whether anyone would like it. I'd read, thought about, and studied page after page (sentence after sentence!) so much, I couldn't tell anymore. To be honest, I was seeing all the flaws and not as many strengths. I finally gave up and left it in the Lord's hands. 

 

Well, Lord, whether this book shines or stinks is all up to you. I have no idea. 

 

With the launch came a flood of reviews, and even before that, folks on the launch team commented that they loved the book, couldn't put it down, "balled like a baby" (authors love to hear that). So I decided to take a peak. Were they all crazy, or was it really good?

 

I read it again. And guess what? I cried and laughed and couldn't put it down, along with all the others. I liked it. What a relief! 

 

And because of my doubts, it's so obvious that all the glory goes to God! I truly didn't know if it was good. Plus, even as I wrote it, I doubted whether I knew what I was doing. In an act of almost blind faith, I simply poured my heart out, hoping and praying God would use it. 

 

Isn't that the way with the writing life? I struggle, strive to master the craft, throw my heart and soul into the story, and then...have no clue whether it's good. But, sort of like the old "Footprints in the Sand," just when I think my efforts are bunk, I spot those second set of footprints. He was with me all along. Of course He was. 

 

Funny, the characters in the book had to learn the same thing ... 

All the lovely reviews bless, encourage, and make me feel loved, not just because they compliment my book, but they seem like a gift from my heavenly Father.

It's for His glory in the first place. 

How has writing revealed God's love to you? I'd love to hear. 

God bless and happy writing! 

Ocieanna

Your Attitude is Showing by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFA

Drama Masks

It's 2013! Want to have a great year? Are you ready for a brand new start? It's all about attitude. Here's some great advice about how to keep a positive attitude from MaryAnn Diorio. Happy New Year! ~ Angie

Have you ever wondered why some writers can face rejection with a smile while others cannot? Have you ever noticed that some writers deal with criticism graciously while others get all bent out of shape? Have you ever been amazed that some writers share their expertise freely while others are reluctant to help aspiring writers?

In each of these three instances, one common denominator stands out. Have you figured it out yet? It’s attitude. A writer’s attitude determines his responses toward other writers and toward editors, agents, and publishers.

Attitude is the way one looks at himself and at his world. For the writer, attitude is the way she looks at herself as a writer and the way she looks at her writing world.

Contrary to popular opinion, attitude is not determined by what happens to us. Attitude is determined by our response to what happens to us.

When you get a rejection letter, do you mope or do you hope? Moping will get you nowhere; hoping will get you sending that query or article out one more time. That one more time may be the acceptance time.

When your critique group points out something that needs addressing in your story, do you take it to heart or do you tear them apart? That critique may be what gets your story published.

When a newbie writer asks you for help or advice, do you pour it forth or do you horde it? That newbie may be on the verge of quitting and needs a little boost to go on.

Your attitude is usually quite obvious to those around you. When your attitude is upbeat, you make life easier for everyone, including yourself. But when your attitude is negative, you make life miserable for everyone, including yourself.

The wonderful news about attitude is that we can control it. We can decide the attitude we will take in every situation.

How has your attitude helped you or hurt you in your writing career? What advice would you give us for keeping a good attitude as we face the challenges of the writing life?

MaryAnn Diorio

Dr. MaryAnn Diorio writes compelling fiction that deals with the deepest issues of the heart. Her latest story, A CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING, will be released by Harbourlight Books, a division of the Pelican Book Group, in December 2012. You may contact MaryAnn at www.maryanndiorio.com.

Pulling that Project Back Out

file cabinet

Happy New Year’s Eve, everyone! Annette here. We hope you’ve had an enjoyable holiday season. Have you found any time to write? I’ve been trying to squeeze in a few moments here and there.

This time of year, I’m drawn to work on my Christmas story. You know, the one I’ve got sitting in the proverbial drawer. The one that still needs work. Okay, a lot of work.

Do you have projects you’ve put away for now, or for good? I’m guessing we all do.

So, how do you know when to bring those back out of the “drawer,” or back up on your computer screen? 

Here are some tips, if you have a choice of when to bring it back out:

• Pray. God will show you when it’s time to work on different projects.
• Wait. Sometimes we put manuscripts or stories away because the message isn’t strong enough or we’re no longer feeling as passionately about the theme. Maybe we need more life experience before we tackle that story again. No shame in that. Just put it away and get it back out when you feel prompted to. With all the things you’ve learned, you’ll be better able to infuse that theme with fresh life. 

What if I have a deadline?

There are times we’re on contract and the book is due on a certain date, no matter what. But our inspiration may have run dry, or our muse has gone missing. What then?

• Get some outside help. Call up a writing bud and brainstorm. Sometimes just talking out the project will bring the light bulb moment.
• Take a walk. Just having a break from the computer can help us think through the trouble on our own.
• Find a good editor. If you have time, contact an editor who can help you analyze the story and give you constructive feedback.
• Google writing articles. I’ve been amazed at how God has provided just the insight or instruction I’ve needed in the moment I needed it.

And if all else fails, or you’re too pressed for time for an editor’s help, refer back to my first bullet point above.

And remember, we’re here to support you, to encourage you. Feel free to search this blog for posts that might speak to the area you’re concerned about. You are not alone in your writing journey!

Your turn:
What are some clues in your writing life that told you it was time to bring out an old project?

How have you overcome a block when you’re on deadline? 


Photo credit: Photo from freedigitalphotos.net. Photo by: John Kasawa