tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post4022696184147389983..comments2024-03-14T02:21:43.549-07:00Comments on Faeries, Dragons, and Spaceships: Pantser verses plotter and what’s in the middleMarie Andreashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11422636765580836358noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post-56019135749350274312011-05-14T10:09:07.883-07:002011-05-14T10:09:07.883-07:00Wow- ok blogger ATE posts! I knw it was having tr...Wow- ok blogger ATE posts! I knw it was having troubles for a bit- but at least 4 posts are gone!<br /><br />Thanks to everyone who commented even those who had their post swallowed by blogger! Not a cool move blogger....GRRRRMarie Andreashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11422636765580836358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post-67950405142665817432011-05-12T13:18:29.810-07:002011-05-12T13:18:29.810-07:00LOL!!! You're always a help Lisa :)LOL!!! You're always a help Lisa :)Marie Andreashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11422636765580836358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post-43955125312142839892011-05-12T13:18:25.455-07:002011-05-12T13:18:25.455-07:00Hey Marie! I struggled a lot with my first book, e...Hey Marie! I struggled a lot with my first book, especially after getting stuck in the middle. I am a natural pantser but I let myself me convinced I needed to plot everything out. Big mistake. For me, the story needs to develop organically from the actions of the characters. What I DO need to know from the beginning to make my story work is the goal, motivation, and conflict (GMC) of at least the protagonist and antagonist, and the stakes. I also like writing out the logline (which basically encapsulates this) and a short, very loose synopsis beforehand. I use these elements as a guide rather than strictly adhering to them. All of them - especially the synopsis - can change. So far this is working for me.<br /><br />I find I learn much more by actually writing the story than I could ever learn by plotting. So I guess that makes me an unapologetic pantser!Janet Taithttp://www.janettait.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post-525451288551212662011-05-12T13:14:04.093-07:002011-05-12T13:14:04.093-07:00I'm a pantster, but I usually sort of know the...I'm a pantster, but I usually sort of know the ending when I start out so I have a "goal" just no idea how I'll end up there... LOL<br /><br />I'm not much help... :)<br /><br />Good luck! <br /><br />Lisa :)Lisa Kesslerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06209324744019368067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post-56555612151953277982011-05-11T20:49:40.088-07:002011-05-11T20:49:40.088-07:00Thanks for the comments and ideas ladies! :)Thanks for the comments and ideas ladies! :)Marie Andreashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11422636765580836358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post-92074620406595170852011-05-11T16:26:27.702-07:002011-05-11T16:26:27.702-07:00I'm a pantser. I tried plotting. Didn't wo...I'm a pantser. I tried plotting. Didn't work. What did work was writing my pitch and blurb FIRST. At least that worked for my 3rd book. It kept me on track anyway. I need to do that for my fourth, because I can see me floundering without it.Stacy McKitrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07898731847653710759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post-80427413526549894172011-05-11T12:36:12.879-07:002011-05-11T12:36:12.879-07:00Try making a list of your protag, antag, love inte...Try making a list of your protag, antag, love interest. Put down what each person wants, what each person NEEDS (which may not be what they want - and they might not realize it), and what's stopping them from getting it.<br /><br />Once you've got all these things down, decide if it's action driven or reaction driven, i.e. does your hero do something which sets a whole slew of issues in motion? Or does he react to the villain's actions? THEN you can brainstorm scenes that show each char's wants/needs/frustrations.<br /><br />I tried starting with my villain last time and it really helped me shape the book.<br /><br />Good luck!Christine Ashworthhttp://christine-ashworth.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post-64294749826760009792011-05-11T12:17:18.566-07:002011-05-11T12:17:18.566-07:00I'm more of a pantser, but I must admit I writ...I'm more of a pantser, but I must admit I write notes about the next book or books as they come to me. Can't help that, but I've never done an outline myself. I don't like pushing it if I don't have to. Just me, I guess.<br />PS. Hope you feel better!Karen Ritternoreply@blogger.com