How We Decide Our Writing Strategy

How We Decide Our Writing Strategy - [apt] 14

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@vernalviolante Ай бұрын

I’m a plantser working on my first-ever fiction manuscript (a sci-Fi thriller). I have mapped my major characters and overall plot. But, I’ve allowed many things to flow and change as I moved through the story, became more familiar with the characters, and recognized character & story needs.

@AddPlaceholderText Ай бұрын

[SD] "Plantser" ... I love it!

@TroyThompson 2 ай бұрын

I learned the categories as aspects of compositional velocity, "sprinter vs. bleeder"--and was encouraged to sprint more, getting SOMETHING in writing that could be re-written, edited, or provide reference material. This mindset carried over from literature to code: building a minimal viable product focused on specific end-user stories in rapid iterations. That said: I have learned that some plotters may ruminate for a very long time in near-silence, then suddenly pour out a near-perfect solution in one marathon session. It could say more about differences in creative focus and work style rather than if either end of the Pantser v Plotter/Sprinter v Bleeder is "better". Interesting point about the genre driving which end of the spectrum is appropriate for spanning the gap between the story's world and your reader.

@AddPlaceholderText 2 ай бұрын

[SD] I certainly understand the comparison between writing fiction and writing code. Your description of plotters who ruminate for a long time in near-silence then pour out a solution feels a lot like how I would write code. "Pantsing" my way through code may have gotten a surface-level appearance of working, but it left a lot of hidden mines that would trigger hard-to-find bugs. I found most success when I would spend the time to think through the structure and organization of code across various components before implementing. As I approach writing, I'm finding myself drawn to the same approach. And I think it's for the same reason. The "bugs in the code" (e.g. "holes in the plot") feel like they'll be harder to find and discover when they're swimming in a sea of text. I'd rather fill those holes while the plot is in a simpler form. Thanks for bringing up the code comparison. You're definitely speaking my language!

@jonhummel4341 2 ай бұрын

I believe you hit the nail on the head about the spectrum since I fluctuate between the two. Part of my writing is plotted out, such as major events, key plot points, and, as you put it, the history of the world as well as intrinsic properties of the world, where other parts are more natural and on the spot, such as a series of conversations between my characters. And just because I plot something out, doesn't mean the initial plot points can't change. I've altered part of my plot and the timeline events recently that doesn't change the overall outcome, but fits better with my story. Though, I will also say, when you have some plotting already in place to direct the flow of ideas, pantsing gets easier.

@AddPlaceholderText 2 ай бұрын

[ND] It sounds like we're taking a similar strategy to yours. We will still have to see how much "pantsing" we will and up doing once we actually get around to writing, but I expect it'll be similar to how you described your writing strategy.