January 22, 2010
Plotting for the Pantser
As I’ve been reading through Blood and Bone, I realized that I wasn’t entirely honest when I said I didn’t plot. I guess I do in a way, but rather than list plot points before sitting down to write, I do it after.
Once the story is complete, and as I begin reading through the manuscript, I create a spreadsheet with the following headers: Chapter, Scene, POV, Mystery Plot, Romance Plot, Pace, To Do. (I should also state that I didn’t come up with this method on my own. This spreadsheet is hybrid of similar spreadsheets other writers have used set up to suit my needs. I’d provide links, but honestly, it’s been so long I can’t remember where I read about them.) As the headers would indicate, as I read through, I note the chapter, scene, whose POV the scene is in, and the plot point for the mystery and/or romance as well as whether the scene is slow, medium or fast paced, and what I need to do to fix the scene (i.e. delete, tighten, double check research, etc.)
This set up not only appeals to the Virgo side of my brain, but allows me to see at a glance if the scene moves the story forward, if I spend too much time on particular plot line or in particular character’s POV and need to add a little variety. Same thing for the pacing. Do I have to many slow paced scene’s in a row? Too many fast paced? The spreadsheet shows me where I may need to juggle some scenes around, or cut them entirely. A very effective tool when it comes to putting together the final draft.
Mood: Tired.
Music: What is This Love, Blue Rodeo
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Sounds like a great way to keep momentum, Dawn. I like that you shared it.
January 22nd, 2010 at 5:36 pmThe thought of plotting gives me hives, but I may be able to do this post-rough-draft like you do. Thanks for the tips.
January 22nd, 2010 at 9:30 pmI’ve never been one to sit down and list out the story and the way it goes either. It bores me and, honestly, I’ve never had the patience for it because my ideas are always so focused on writing, I only forget them if the story lies dormant for so long, I completely forget its even there.
January 26th, 2010 at 12:18 amJennifer, I find using the spread sheet while I clean up scene really does help keep me moving forward.
Roni, I believe we suffer from the same plotting alergy.
Danielle, I’ll forget things if a story lies dormant too. Actually, I’ll forget from one moment to the next which is why my desk is usually littered with Post-its.
January 26th, 2010 at 1:34 pmOops, that would of course be allergy.
January 26th, 2010 at 1:36 pm