Do you plot out your book?

[Eddy]

Okay, I know some writers who just plot out their book as detailed as possible... others who just let it happen as it happens. What kind of writer are you? And what do you find more successful?

[Daniel]

Well, I am currently reading "On Writing" by Stephen King, and he strongly discourages the use of actually plotting out your book...

I've tried it, and I have to agree with the King. It seems that it makes the story stale and overthought.

I'll do a little, but as little as I can.

[Kem Rixen]

I have a very loose idea of what I want, I've just been writing random chapters as I think of them. Surprisingly they flow together quite well. But in general, anything involving outlining or that sort of thing, I avoid.

[Daniel]

Sort of the same here. I have an idea of what I'm aiming for, but I don't plot it paragraph by paragraph in advance.

[Hylo]

I always just "wrote by the seat of my pants" much like King says in On Writing but I began to think that maybe a more structured approach would benefit my stories better.

I found a link to Randy Ingermanson's Snowflake Method (http://www.rsingermanson.com/html/the_snowflake.html) which he has developed to plot out and structure his novels.

Personally I thought it sucked all of my creativity out of me before I'd even started but a lot of people seem to swear by it. I prefer to let my imagination surprise as I keep writing, you don't get caught in as many "forced" situations then and can keep your writing fresh and fluid but that's just my take on it.

[Peter]

I'm a long way off attempting my first novel, but I generally begin with a random sentence and go from there. I've realised if I plan ahead I come up with an abundance of ideas and can never choose what to go with. I did plan out a story when I first started writing, but despite the writing itself being neat and tidy, nothing flowed organically.

But every writer is different.

With the "Method" link you've posted, personally I'd stay well clear of using that. Read it, yeah, why not. But a writer's voice shouldn't just include prose, characters, plot, mood, whatever, but also the structure of their work.

[Spherical Time]

I don't write specifics, really, when I start writing, but for my novel I found that I really, really needed to know where I was going.

I have about three single spaced pages of notes about the nine books that are part of the story. However, the actual events part of any given book are usually fairly unplanned.

[Daniel]

Nice posts Peter and Spherical.

With my little experience, I've found that too much structure in any story can turn it dull, meaningless, and rushed. I've come to the conclusion (after reading "On Writing" by Stephen King) that it's best to leave your book unplotted, except for any basic ideas you have.

[Iai]

Well, to each his own. I think it really depends on exactly what type of book you're working on.

With mine, it's pretty important to plot out all of the details in advance, because there are about three different factions affecting each other. It I didn't have it all mapped out, none of it would make sense. So in my particulat case, I do chart everything, but I leave all character dialogue and stage movement up to improvisation.

i.e. Predestined confrontation takes place here.
Write out dialogue, physical violence on the fly.

I find that it keeps you well grounded and aware of your story, while still letting your creative juices flow.

(Also, I find it good to go back and ask questions like, "Why did they do it this way?" and, "Why didn't she just do that to begin with?". It's a pain, because you have to rewrite a lot, but helps make things more realistic.)

~Iai

[cl0ud]

I just can't plot out a book. Life doesn't have a plot, why should stories? If anything it makes the story more realistic, thats why I like Stephen King as an author and I love his stories. :cool:

[Iai]

The problem with that is, unless you're Stephen King, you have little hopes of improvising with comparable skill.

To very loosely quote a line from Stephen King's "Misery":
"The world needs us writers. We take the sloppy mess that is life, and organize it, nice and neat, into chapters."

I believe that life does have a plot. It's called Fate. If I drop a penny, it will undoubtedly fall to the ground. That is fate. As a writer, I merely tell of the penny falling, before I drop it.

~Iai

[cl0ud]

No offense Iai, but a penny falling to the ground isn't fate. It's gravity.

[Iai]

No offense taken. Allow me to retort.

You're right, a penny does fall because of gravity. However, gravity is only a variable in life, just like wind direction, velocity of the fall, weight of the penny, and landing impact. But I think you're missing the point of fate.

Look at it this way -- If someone punches me in the face, fate dictates that I will defend myself. It does this, because of the variables involved. It's logic.

Variables:
The attacker.
Force of the punch
Personal mood.
Personal physical condition.
The list goes on and on and on. There are millions of variables affecting this situation, but these major ones are the most prominent, and thus will dictate my reaction. Fate is the summation of all of these variables, and the ending conclusion. This is how we try to forsee the future.

Another example. When christmas comes around this year, and you want a PS3, you will undoubtedly drop your mother hints for it, or simply ask outright. Think of the variables there.

Variables:
1.)The amount of desire you have presented to your mother for the item.
2.) Your mother's income.
3.) Your mothers judgment in whether or not you should have said item.

These three factors are the highest variables on the list in deciding whether or not you get the system for christmas. Giving value to these variables, and measuring them, you can make a good guess at the future -- thus you are guessing at fate.

This same logic translates in some story writing. In my case, I don't dictate the plot. Fate does. By setting up the right variables and following logic, the plot forms itself, and will be interesting or boring, depending in the creativity of your variables.

Thusly, the penny falls Because of the variables (i.e. gravity) but fate dictates That it falls.

~Iai

[Daniel]

Iai, I don't believe in fate. However, I do agree that as writers, we are merely telling the story. Putting something that's hidden, so to speak, into words.

[Mercury]

I've never attempted a novel, so I can't comment there - but I do tightly plot my short stories, and I think I've become so used to writing this way that I'll probably tackle my first novel in the same way.

[cl0ud]

I can't plot, because my stories always go in directions that not even I foresaw.

Iai I dont think you understand fate, fate is:something that unavoidably befalls a person; fortune*difenition taken from Dictionary.com

If you get punched in the face you would defend yourself from testosterone, adreline, and animal instincts. Fate is less exact. Such as it was your fate to win the lottery, but there is lean way in fate. Fate doesn't decide that you will be punched in the face at this exact second on this exact date. Fate dictates that you will be punched in the face more than once in life. Fate is more opaque than clear if you get me.

[Mercury]

Do you mean you don't plot your short stories, cl0ud? And isn't fate just a superstition?

[cl0ud]

I dont plot anything I write. Basically I write it down. I dont believe in fate, and so my stories and characters dont have a fate. I write, and the story turns in directions I couldn't have plotted out.

[Mercury]

That's a very brave way to write. I plot every short story before I start. Got to admit, though, I've never started a short story that stuck to the plot, it always changes as I go along and new things come to me, so I can see where you're coming from.

[Demika]

I used to plot out the whole story, but it'd kinda go 'dead' by the time I got to the middle and I'd be bored with it...so I don't anymore. Now I just plot a -very- loose summary of one chapter at a time (if I'm writing chapters) and if i'm not, I'll plot out a loose summary of a few paragraphs at a time.

[brick]

I'll plot what I want the story to be like overall, and I'll plot where I want it to end; but everything up until there is whatever pops up in my head.

[Verto]

I think I'm the same as brick, I will think about the overall story perhaps scribble down a couple of character bios. Then I am off, into the magical land of literature.

[lioness1612]

Well, I have to have at least a decent idea of what the plot is and where the story will head before writing... Tried it the 'fly by the seat of my pants' way, and I kept having to rewrite the beginning over and over to match what the story was becoming. Chapters come much easier when I have an idea of where I want the story to go.

[Iai]

I can't plot, because my stories always go in directions that not even I foresaw.

Iai I dont think you understand fate, fate is:something that unavoidably befalls a person; fortune*difenition taken from Dictionary.com

If you get punched in the face you would defend yourself from testosterone, adreline, and animal instincts. Fate is less exact. Such as it was your fate to win the lottery, but there is lean way in fate. Fate doesn't decide that you will be punched in the face at this exact second on this exact date. Fate dictates that you will be punched in the face more than once in life. Fate is more opaque than clear if you get me.

..... Might I ask where you're getting your facts from? How did you come to that conclusion? I pray to God you haven't accumulated all of your philosophical thoughts on Fate from Dictionary dot com.

On the good side, your .com definition does have some truth to it. Fate is (usually) unavoidable, as a summation of events beyond or unknown to us. I don't personally put fate in that broad of a scope, but I'll humor it, for now.

On the bad side, it's a one-line-fix-all answer to a very complicated question. I would have expected much more.

[nightscare]

I just write whatever comes into my head for fun! If its serious I will get bio's down for the main antagonist and protagonist but other then that I just see how it goes and what I feel like writing.

[Sedalia]

I am afraid I am different. I always plot out the book, then do a chapter by chapter plot. I have to do this or my writing will run out of steam or I might forget an important event. Only when I have a sound plot and chapter structure do I then start writing. This has always worked for me.

[storyplanet]

I only plot out the Major Events in the areas, the twist and turns character backgrounds and a few complications that i might just add here and there.

the rest of it is depending on what i feel like at the time. that might not be the best way to do things, but ohwell :)

[dldzioba]

I tend to not plot out things but that's not a particularly good option fo NaNoWriMo. I'm plotting out my first speculative fiction piece and it's proving hard.
I've still got the month of October to tweak everything, but I'm going to attempt using the snowflake method so I need to get my history, characters and research in order.

[Spherical Time]

I am afraid I am different. I always plot out the book, then do a chapter by chapter plot. I have to do this or my writing will run out of steam or I might forget an important event. Only when I have a sound plot and chapter structure do I then start writing. This has always worked for me.I looked at the book that you've published on Amazon, and I think that for the kind of writing that you do, tightly controlled plots are a very, very good idea.

Congratulations on your publication, incidentally.

[Sapphire]

Yes, I do plot out my book or fanfictions. The only thing I plan out, however, is the plot points. I don't go through all of this detail, because too much detail is just as bad as too little detail. You have to keep in mind on what you want to do in your plot but keep it interesting and understanding.

[Esaul]

I never plan anything in my novels. It's a spur of a moment if you will. But I may go back several times to redo it until i am satisfied.

[trailer trash]

For the uninformed, a quick perusal of the “Snow Flake Method” of plotting by Randy Ingermanson will reveal nothing new. In fact, his method has its roots as far back as the writings of Aristotle. It merely restates the most fundamental rules of plotting.

The one good think about his method is it encourages new writers to actively seek out and use a method of plotting to develop a story rather than just writing aimlessly and hoping that in the end you will turn out something that your readers will enjoy.

As I have said before in other post, you are going to plot whether you like it or not. You will do in either consciously or subconsciously, and the choice is yours. To do it subconsciously (or instinctual) I believe it is critical for you to have an understanding of the fundamentals of plot. Then if you create three-dimensional characters that you know inside out you can easily subconsciously create the conflict, rising action and resolution.

There are no real short cuts for the amateur, or professional. Only years of experience will allow the professional to produce a story that a reader will enjoy by instinctually plotting and without a single line of traditional plot having been put to paper.

[Daniel]

The one good think about his method is it encourages new writers to actively seek out and use a method of plotting to develop a story rather than just writing aimlessly and hoping that in the end you will turn out something that your readers will enjoy.

As I have said before in other post, you are going to plot whether you like it or not. You will do in either consciously or subconsciously, and the choice is yours. To do it subconsciously (or instinctual) I believe it is critical for you to have an understanding of the fundamentals of plot.

I agree with you for the most part, but I firmly believe that you don't need to plot your book firmly. As long as you have a general idea of what you want. Look at Stephen King. The vast majority of his books he just writes what happens rather than actively plotting the whole thing first.

[WhispWillow]

I plot for the main parts, but I would never plot a book from start to finish. I know the main things that are going to happen in the book, if thats what you mean.

[d00m5day]

i never did plot it out, but for me, i think i might have to, cuz i never have writer's block, and after a month or so, im stuck dead. so i start over with a new story. i tried the snowflake method, and its actually quite good. but it might jsut be cuz i never even ploted before. i got good ideas when i wasnt plotting, but i couldnt motivate myself to finish writing it. i used up all my ideas, you know what i mean?

but like willow and most of the people in this topic said, you change on the way. i just need a rough frame, not like the whole story slammed in front of me...

[trailer trash]

I agree with you for the most part, but I firmly believe that you don't need to plot your book firmly. As long as you have a general idea of what you want. Look at Stephen King. The vast majority of his books he just writes what happens rather than actively plotting the whole thing first.

I agree that you do not have to plot your story firmly, and perhaps not at all--at least consciously. The point I was trying to make is that even writers like Stephen King understand plot, and even at times use it. The idea is to have an understanding of the elements of plot so that even if you choose not to plot your story the development process may come more easily--if that makes sense.

Thanks for posting

More thoughts on plotting

http://www.writingforums.org/showpost.php?p=1038&postcount=1

Note: This is edited version of the original post.

[Laimtoe]

I have a little notebook I cary in my back pocket. Any little idea I have I put into there. I then put numbered book marks into the little notebook that reference to specific entries in a specific order and usually that constructs a plot all by itself when I ask questions on how to connect the different ideas, thoughts, conversation, actions, and stuff like that.

I've tried to just write out a plot summary, but I find myself making the story up as I go when I do it and it has no substance. The story lacks moral and purpose. It becomes a robotic process to move from one point in the story to the next. It makes is an absolute BORE to write.

I've also tried to just write it and keep little ideas in my head as bench marks, but I hit writers block when that happens... which actually happened to me recently. Please help -- I have a threat about that right here in the "plot creation" section.

[franceslynn]

My weak point is structure, but I didn't write a detailed synopsis of my first two novels. As a result, "Frantic" took me years to finish. I didn't plot out "Crushed", my teen fiction novel which I wrote in a few months only. I did find that while I was writing each book, I was developing new ideas all the time. However, my publisher has now asked me to write a detailed synopsis of my new novel, chapter by chapter. What a horrible job! I suspect that writing a detailed synopsis before starting a book, tends to stifle one's creativity. And, I know I shall deviate from my pre-ordained plot when I start writing the book. Heh heh!


Frances Lynn is a professional writer and journalist. Her two novels, "Frantic" and "Crushed" are published by Eiworth Publishing at http://yourbookstore.eiworth.se/. Her Frantic World blog can be read at http://myfranticworld.blogspot.com/. Her personal website is http://franceslynn.org

[Vivienne Crow]

when i was younger (that is when i was in high school) i tended to just write my stories, i wouldnt have any plotting out of the story done whatsoever. I'd know what i wanted my story to be about and few scenes i knew i wanted in there, but nothing else was planned....

then a few years ago i did an entire plan of my story, right down to plants grew near a waterfall that was in the story for five seconds.

and how do i write now. i mix a little of both. i do a detailed outline, with a writing program i have, that plots out what i want ot happen in each chapter that helps me keep the story on track, but then what actually goes into the chapters happens when i type, i dont actually plan out the paragraphs in advance they just come to me when i sit down to write them. i still have an idea of where i want things to go and what scenes i really think i need in the story, but most of it is just flow that happens.

i find that way of writing is the easiest for me.

xXLadyFrostXx

[HarlowsGhost]

I'm a post-it writer haha. I literally have notebooks full of post-its that I number as i write on them and then go from those as my notes when I do more structured writing. As far as plot I tend to go with the stroy as it comes to me. I've been wrking on one that I wrote the ending first and worked from there as different elements developed.

[Beowulf]

The book that im writing right now, i have no idea how it's going to end. Im not even shure how im going to end each sentence. Thats the way i do a lot of things.

The one major drawback to it that i can see is that there arn't as many amazing twists. Theres no point in the story where a read will go, oh snap, he's that guy from that place with that thing. and get that uncontrolable smile of excitement that something awsome just happened.

In my storie there arnt any of those moments.

[danHQ]

Christopher Paolini spent two years plotting his books - that, is evident, yet for him it didn't affect the 'flow' of it.

Shaun Hutson, on the other hand - and King, apparently - don't. Hutson is my favourite author so i'd have to say not planning the stories is the favoured approach.

[Brazen]

I'd love to say I can just write on a whim and that I just let the words flow, but that's just not possible for me. I'm still in the plotting stage of trying to write my first novel. You see, I had the idea floating about my head for over a year the basic ideas, and there's been plenty of times I try to write chapter one on a whim. The problem is, I just can't do it. I can't do the start because I don't know how I'm going to make it lead to the middle, because I don't know how I'm going to do the middle.

To put it simply, I had writer's block on the first chapter.

Now that I'm making an outline, I now know the direction I want my story to go, and I have I good idea of what my characters will do in the chapters to come. It also helped me to find the true identity in my characters and I can understand a tiny bit more of how they think, feel, and act.

I really need to finish the outline come to think of it...

http://www.anti-shurtugal.com/outlines.htm

I love that article.

[Fiesty Kel]

I plot vaguely, jot down some things I want to happen so I have a vague idea of what I am dong, then I write.. I think if you edit and rewrite well, then it doesn't affect flow.

[Crazy Ivan]

Whenever I do outlines, my stories fail. Whenever I just write off the top of my head, they turn out fine.

Basically what I do is I get an idea. Then I throw my idea upon some victims- er, I talk to my friends- and get some ideas about what should happen. Then I get a very hazy outline in my head, consisting only of characters, locations, and main ideas of the plot. Than I write and let all the nasty little details pour out on their own.

[Bluemouth]

The first novel I wrote I had planned it precisely for about a month. I knew where the story was going and when the main events would happen. I even had the exact events that would occur under each sub-chapter in every chapter. DON'T DO THIS! It kills any enjoyment you have as a writer because you know what will happen.

However, I found that as I wrote I tended to lean away from my focus and that's when everything started getting better. In the end I had a story that was mostly planned with a little bit of improv. - and those were the best parts.

The novel I'm writing now has absolutely no main outline and it's coming along great. :D

[LaCN]

I usually start for an overll subject of my book, then I make characters, then there's that long period where I'm just bored to death and hesitating to begin writing, and that gives me time to plan some of the plots... and I like alot of what I think up, even if it's not in order or anything.

In any case, if you're writing something serious, I think it's very important that you have a general idea what you're story is going to be like, but certainly don't plan it, that destroys all the fun of creating a story, doesn't it? Planning every, chapter by chapter. I might even go as far as explaining what happens for every chapter, but I'd never plan out the dialogue and every single plot in the story. If not, then just let your mind run free.

[scumlander]

some people plan it to the sentence (JK Rowling), others can do a novel straight off. What i am doing with my current idea is that I got the idea, got the exactly what will happen on the last line, then figured huge points in the middle then get an opening line. kinda flows out like that. Although the ending has kinda been pushed into the middle and a new ending has arisen. I just need to start it now. (as if that's ever gonna happen.)

[Mr Baatard]

I'm big on plot but only in the broader sense. I have a plot for the overall story, and then I decide what events in the story ensure plot progression. I've written scenes for my book that I really like, but edited out because they don't help the story along.

For instance, I decide that the best event for plot progression is a fight. So that's what happens in the next chapter. Maybe after that some character development is what's called for, so that goes into the chapter after next. I know what's going to happen several chapters in advance.

I also make sure that there is consistent theme in my story. I know what the book is about. I know what abstract ideas I want to portray, so I decide what plot tools will help me show them.

Any story I write or read must have direction. I keep a continuity log for my book. "This event happened back in chapter # and it's the impetus for that event in chapter ##." I can't read anything that lacks direction. In order for me to enjoy any fiction it must have conflict and direction.

[_booklovr_]

What you do - whether you write an outline beforehand or just write on a whim - just depends on your preference. In my case, I favor writing on a whim (for the most part, at least). I figure out the general plotline on a piece of notebook paper (main characters, potential names of supporting characters... basically everything that I might forget if I try to commit it to memory). But otherwise, I leave everything else to fate. I pick out a description for a character based upon his/her personality (example: glasses for someone who is very well literate), but I don't have a very good idea how they'll look beforehand. I just let everything flow as I write, let the characters sort of tell me the story (if you know what I mean).

[crazycat007]

sometimes i just start random nonsence that somehow, miraculously turns into a story. other times, i get some burning idea, and have a vague plan as to where it's going. mostly, though, i'm like beowulf, and i just write, and have NO idea whatsoever wherer anything is going. then i surprise myself whit my crazy plot twists and whatnot. i can't plan out anything other than speeches and research papers. if i plan it out, i always decide to change it, so it was a waste of my perfectly good time and energy to even try to plan.

[AeroDillo]

Know your characters. Do your research. Pick your locale. Go.

I tried planning once. Can't say it worked out too hot. I generally fare better starting with the germ of an idea, a starting point, and rough estimate of where I'm going. It tends to change around a bit through the middle, but it seems to work well enough in my case.

Of course, your mileage may vary.

[wordwizard]

It may give it way more structure, but I find that I loose interest when I outline the story. It makes it boring for you and the readers.

[Blue]

Ah yes, when ever I plot I get quite annoyed at myself.... I am the spontanious type that will work on the novel when one feels and will bring new ideas that work to the pc - a little zest!

[Drydon]

I hate planning, even thought it's a "suggested method".

I usually end up with two things, thinking up good ideas on the way but not being able to implement them, or implementing them and screwing up, both leave a sour taste in my mouth.

[Remoah]

I try to plan, i get vauge ideas of what may happen to my characthers in the immidiate future, but often it will change, even planning out a scene is hard for me, i just like to go by mind.

[Isis]

Usually when I write a short story I know kind of what's going to happen and where I'm going [but not always], to keep the story from rambling all over the place, but beyond that I don't really plan my stories. I get maybe a paragraph worth of an idea, and then think about it for a little while, probably when writing something else - how I did it during NaNo, anyway - and then just started working on it. Usually more things occur to me when I'm working with the details of actually writing the thing than when I'm looking at a plot outline.

I just get bored with planning.

[TMA-1]

I'm working on my first novel-length story, and I'm plotting it out, but not so detailed as I know every scene beforehand. I do set out general events in the order they happen, like a general structure. The problem is that it's difficult to create the alien species... I plan on having two very different ones in the story.

[zerobytes]

When you are performing improvisational comedy (think Who's line is it anyway) you have to have a strong structure in place. For example: We'll play the props game. So I give you a prop and you have to react to it in a funny way with your comedy partner. Well, you and your partner have decided beforehand that you're going to perform a western scene where he/she is the robber and you are the sheriff. Then you set up a situation - he/she is robbing the bank (audience) and you show up on the scene to save the day. The scene will end when you somehow kill him/her with the prop. Within that structure you create your scene. "Ideas" are taken from the audience but the show is run and set up (beforehand) by the one running the show. Believe me a lot more work and practice goes into Improv than they would ever lead us on to believe.

Why the long story? My recommendation is to write in the same manner. The more structured your story the easier it is to get a lot of power into your writing. Otherwise, it's very easy to meander and put down stuff that does not progress the story. Does that mean the structure is law? No. It means that you have confines to work in that will channel the ideas as they come to you about your story. SO...an outline helps, a detailed outline is even better. You don't have to have all of the specifics (in fact it's better that you don't) but you should have a direction that keeps you moving. This also helps you from getting writer's block or just setting the story aside because you are not excited with where it has gone. I don't know, that's my take on it - but some other's (like King) just have stories flowing from their fingers...I only wish I was the same. Till then, I don't mind a bit of extra work.

zb

[Orion]

I've tried plotting things out before...but then the plot takes a new twist that's too interesting to pass up. I didn't plan for so the whole outline then becomes obselate.

[The Boy Who Wrote]

I've tried plotting things out before...but then the plot takes a new twist that's too interesting to pass up. I didn't plan for so the whole outline then becomes obselate.

I usually never outline my plot when I write a book, I always start writing from a point then continue on until it seems it has to end, I have a start point but I always know when the book would end.

I usually find myself writing out a synopis for my books, but thats only if I'm keen on writing it.

Isle of the dark is one I started on a whim and its been going on for 50 odd pages, in word processor and even though I have not outline any major plot points or sub-plots it has been kept fresh with plot-twists here and there.

[Wars of Jericho]

the story actually comes to me in my head...i actually have the words and i write down the exact words but when i run out of that word buzz, i go improv and write anything good i can think of...outlining screws up a story, i tried, it sounds too planned and stupid

[Sayso]

I write from a need to get the story written down and out of my head. I find that if I plot the story first then I have done what I first set out to do, then no full story.
But if I just start writing the story then it follows it's natural path of development with a few surprises as well. The need to get it written down compels me to keep going too.

[Banzai]

When I get an idea for a story, the ideas and concepts usually stay in my head until I get the opertunity to write. Then I usually write the first chapter or page or so, before I try and plan it out. I find that once I've written a good opening (which in itself is a bit of a challenge) I can see the path of the story more clearly. Not that the plot doesn't change drastically, but I can usually see where it's heading from the off.

[Crazy Ivan]

My main project is totally un-plotted so far, and I've gotten up to 53 chapters already, which is a record for me due to my habit of procrastinating/quitting early into my stories. This one, however, has kept twisting and turning and surprising me as I write. Naturally, since it's a rough draft, it's full of achingly horrible writing and gaping plot holes, but I figure what I'm going to do is this: Once I finish my first draft, I'll go back, and then I'll plot everything out. That way, you have a much better basis to start from, you don't have to worry about giving up on your project (Because you've already run through it), and you can add in all the bits you forgot and take out all the excess crap.
So, I think for writing a novel like this, a very handy method is to make your plot after you've written through it, so you can revise it for drastic improvement.

[Alice in Wonderland]

I just write as it comes to me. Usually I've thought about it before hand so I know roughly where I want to go with the plot. It tends to change a lot though from my initial ideas. When I get half way through I tend to trawl through everything I've already written and tie up any loose ends that appear to not lean to the direction of the story.

[Lizzy]

I am new at this, but when I started writing a fellow writer friend of mine told me that a true writer plots out their story. Well, now I realize how untrue that is. We all have our way of telling our story. I tried plotting out my story and found that it's too structured a task for me. I find that I already have an inkling as to where my story is headed and writing by the seat of my pants allows me to grow with my character. I don't know what they are going to do ahead of time, therefore I can experience the journey as I write it.

[Trave_xx]

I don't necessarily plan my novel out (my first, by the way), I simply write things down, such as important events that must take place. I find a good book to have at least some foreshadowing, since a novel without any hint or clue of what will happen next will become stale easily, and give the reader absolutely no suspense.

I also plan out my main characters; things like events that happen to them, special characteristics crucial to the storyline, etc. I'm not neat at all. As long as it's legible, I keep on writing. I also have no method of organization, which I guess makes planning for me a little more fun. Call me crazy.

I think by doing this not only does it encourage me to keep on writing so I can get to the good parts, but it smoothes out my novel without making it boring.

[Corleone]

The first thing I create is characters (sometimes they're a merge of different people and usually look like actors from the 70's in my head haha) but I obiviously evolve them.
Then I loosely plan the plot and then let myself write. Sometimes when I'm lay in bed my mind goes off on one and I create new sub-stories within the story that I then jot down.

I don't plan it to a "T" but do plan some things.
Also research is very important.

[Crazy Ivan]

I was sitting in a plane today (Spring Break. Three hours next to two crying babies. Yaaaay. >.>), and this idea popped into my head: In a medieval, sorcerous setting, a very young boy's family is forced to move from his hometown due to the violent, insane tendencies of the king (Who is revered as a god by his peasants, which is very dangerous because in this world reality is subjective, and the belief of the people can alter the facts of life.). But the small, innocent boy forgets one thing: His beloved teddy bear. So the moment he reaches his new home with his neglectful mother and Alzheimer's-victim father, he leaves again, embarking on a thousand-mile quest to get back to his home. On the way he meets a cast of characters like a valkyrie on vacation; a beautiful teenage girl who believes life should be like a story (And may do anything, no matter how bloody, to make it that way); a particularly cowardly and dismal man whom everyone has met before (That is very important, but don't ask questions); and a man named Etcetera, who is the God Of Everything Else. (Y'know, pebbles, egg-beaters, door knobs, lawyers- all the stuff the other gods didn't want to touch.) It would be both humorous, adventurous, fantastical, and slightly philosophical.

All this formed in my head within about half an hour, and pretty soon I had the bare bones of a plot. A grand quest, some lively characters, a good setting- but do I know exactly how it'll work? Of course not! I start all my books like this, and it seems to work.

[Roxie]

I have mostly written anecdotes of my kids daily adventures, family outings and such. Short stories that pop into my head. I am now starting to sum up the courage to attempt my 1st novel and was wondering the same thing plot or not? I decided not so much. I have a general idea of where I want to go but who knows what the chapters will unfold...

[McBeck]

I start out with an Idea, any random idea and then by the end of the first paragraph, I try to imagine where it's going to go. I've learned that outlining is pointless for me because I never go back and look at it. I just go with the flow

[Jacki]

While I can't fly by the seat of my pants, I can't overplot either. I find that falling into either ditch kills my work. If I try to totally "wing it" I get lost and off-track, but if I try to map out every single thing, it sucks the creativity out of the work.

So I plot out major points. I know where I want to start, and where we are going, and the basic way we will get there. But I let the intermediate details and events unfold naturally. Then, once the whole mess is out on paper, I revise, revise, revise!!! :)

[WriterOfTheDead]

Iai, I don't believe in fate

I just wanted to point this out because I thought it was somewhat funny. Lpspider you don't believe in fate as you've stated but in your avatar/icon whats that spelled on your fingers? :D

On the subject of this thread I was reading and I was down right surprised. I've always thought that all great writers knew exactly what they were going to do in their stories before they wrote it. I was astonished (in a good way )when most of all I've read here, no one agrees with that theory. Even the bestselling horror writer Stephen King.
I've always struggled coming up with the plot. I just liked going with whatever's flowing. And sometimes my ideas are obnoxious and ridiculous and the pieces don't always fit in the puzzle...but it works for me.
I'm writing something right now and I did come up with the main plot but I have no idea how it will end. I'll get to that when I'm there.

Anyway hope maybe I've made a decent reply to this thread and thanks for putting it up in the first place. It's made my day. :p

[Daniel]

I just wanted to point this out because I thought it was somewhat funny. Lpspider you don't believe in fate as you've stated but in your avatar/icon whats that spelled on your fingers? :D

haha.

Funny. Really. :p

[Novel Novice]

Being a "poet" (saying very, very loosely), I find that it is easier for me to get a line down, and see where it takes me. I always sit down with the intention of the poem in my head and ready to go, but sometimes the connection between my brain and my fingers has a subliminal path that heeds me no warning.

With stories, however, I find that the approach listed above does little good. (Then again, that might be why I have zero stories, and 6 million ideas). When I try and plot them out, I feel cramped. When I try and let an idea wander, it gets lost along with my passion for the piece.

I'll keep reading through the 3 pages of responses here, because I could really use some help myself!

[Dan Rhodenizer]

I'll plot what I want the story to be like overall, and I'll plot where I want it to end; but everything up until there is whatever pops up in my head.

Same here, I find that works best.

However, I don't plot the ending.

[dushechka]

I don't think I've ever really plotted.

I mean, there will be times where I'll plot out what a character does, or how they're supposed to act, but an actual "plot" is never really plotted. (wow, bad grammar there.. lol)

I like the freedom to go where my thoughts take me, but it's always a double edged sword; partly because my thoughts are never organized, and it can be very overwhelming.

[Marc]

I'm a thoroughbred planning whore, through and through. I detail every last thing that is going to happen in any plot I conceive. If I don't I tend to end up with a load a filler material bloating out my chapters... and I really dislike filler.

[PrincessGarnet]

I think i should do more planning but i have so much buzzing around in my head I start writing probably sooner than i should but my best ideas come out when i don't know what's about to happen - if that makes sense. I wish it was different, i wish i could finish a piece.

[LionofPerth]

I try not to, it takes alot of the fun out of my writing.

Yes, I have an idea of what the stories purpose is, and what happens, but I don't like to know all of the details before I write them. Yeah this means I do a lot of editting, but I like the idea that each little addition builds to nice complete, decent whole.

[mypensmysoul]

I usually go wherever my mind takes me, but I always have a ten-scene tool sitting next to me (Any and all stories have ten basic scenes. Try it.) to help myself from overwriting or getting off track.

Ten Scene Tool:

1. Opener *duh
2. Point of No Return Complication --aka PNRC-- *where your character cannot ever go back to how things were beforehand.
3-8. Your most defining complications.
9. Climax *duh
10. Conclusion *duh

Good luck!

[LionofPerth]

Ten scenes?

Not something I would use, I find that for each type of setting, I want to show the characters being able to escape whatever 'fate' has for them.

Look at the epilogue I wrote, it shows Sheree and Leon being very human, yet they fight some very inhuman things in the story.

There is no set of rules that applies to writing, there is what works for you, and there is what does not work, that is all.

[aniolel]

I think it helps to plot for those who are learning how to write...it will give them a way to think how to write.

[InkDream]

I only plot out what I'm writing if I've hit a wall. Things tend to change once I start writing it out so it always seems like a waste of time to get to carried away with the outlining stuff.

[Lalis]

I really just let it happen. I start out with an idea and it just flows from there.

[ajbc_08]

I usually always have no idea what I am writing when I start. Once I've written up at least something, then ideas start to formulate in my mind and I draft up a very rough mental image of what might take place. That initial plan that I have is extremely tentative and changes enormously over the course of the writing, usually evolving into something that I didn't initially anticipate.

I think that going into any writing piece, blowing open the doors, guns blazing without any plan so to speak, is the best option. This way, your story evolves and changes as you write, and you can assess and evaluate it as you go, where as having a stringent plan might lead you to be constrained by said plan and not allow you to flourish as much. If that sounds cheesy, ignore it, but I have found that going in cold is definetely a good idea.

[gabs1515]

If I'm writing a long story then I like to plot it out. Nothing extensive, just some notes. I do this because I spend several days or weeks writing and I tend to forget specific details, especially if I needed something to play out later on in the story that i hinted at early on. It's more or less for the little things.

But for short stories I just let it flow out of me and make itself.

[bruce]

What kind of writer are you? And what do you find more successful?

I'm the kind that plans every single detail for every aspect of a story especially character bios and scenes. I keep the story design separate from the implementation, I mean, the writing. :D

[Blackwaltz]

I tend to plot out any key points to give the story a bit of structure but I try to not set them totally in stone. I like having certain things written down in order because I have a terrible memory so it can be almost necessary for me at times.

[LadyLazarus]

Simply put, I don't. Not until I've got the first chapter done, then I read it back. I get a feel for the characters I've crafted, then go from there. I make a rough sketch of what I want to do, but I wont force a character to do something they don't want to do. I let them take my by the hand and show me their lives.

[Tallyp `]

i found that if i did a plot then i get bored so i dont plot anymore and i find it better and more exciting to write

[Smithy]

I find that when I try and plot I actually can't write afterwards, so I tend to leave it quite vague apart from the really important events.

[TimAyro]

When I get an idea, I throw a huge summary out. Then start to write and follow the summary. Helps me keep focused, and remember my ideas.

[maya]

Personally, when I write, I usually sketch out the characteristics of each character, and draw out their relationships with each other. I'll write the main events, but if my writing doesn't head in that direction, it's nothing I should worry about too much. So you can say, I don't really plan in details. I find it to be harder than just writing and seeing where it takes you.

Happy Writing~

[NyeLew]

I do a little of both. I like to start writing without a plot in mind at all, and then when it's done I look over it and say "Well, what's good and what's bad?"

After I trawl through it and see what I actually like about the story I'll stick it all down in a rough plot. When I've got that down, I'll further refine the plot until it's something I'm pleased with. When that's done I start on the rewrite.

My current project is at the rewrite stage, but it's getting a rewrite of its own after this because I realised that I'm unhappy with the plot as it is (and it doesn't set up the sequel very well).

I have all of the important aspects of the plot written down, but I leave dialogue and characterisation to happen during the writing of it. That way I get to know exactly where I'm going but have some fun on the way, too.

[writewizard]

Okay, I know some writers who just plot out their book as detailed as possible... others who just let it happen as it happens. What kind of writer are you? And what do you find more successful?

I prewrite, but I don't plot. Or perhaps the correct term is that I predream. I think about what I want to write and the senarios. I have a very, very good visual imagry that helps me out with this (although sometimes it's not wanted :D). I can "see" what is happening in my story and start putting it down on paper.

Sometimes I plot, but I generally find plotting more distracting and less helpful than anything else.

[Cosmos]

I'm one of those obsessive outliner types. I like to have things in neat little packages. Now I'm not obsessive to the tune of making sure everything follows the outline as oftentimes when it doesn't I can something fun and fresh. But if I go on ahead without any sort of plot in mind (and on paper) I get distracted and confused very quickly and easily which quickly kills the story. I need direction to be able to function, simple as.

[Samomo]

I usually get the general idea down- the plot, the summary. From then on, I plot the book out as much as I write. For example, when I'm working on chapter one of a book, I'll open my word pad and jot down pointform notes of what I'm trying to say, or what I'm trying to do within that one specific chapter. More often than not though, I do stray away from my agenda and do something completely spur of the moment. I guess I'm not a very organized writer

[TedR]

I've done it both ways, planning out my story and just writing and seeing where it goes. I've found that when I write randomly, I often want to go back and revise major points. Not that it's a bad thing, but rewriting whole sections of a story can take up some time. I prefer to plan out the major points, the basics of what happens, so I have some direction of what to write. I like to have a set idea of where the characters end up, and then write without premeditation how they reach that point.

But I don't plan out to the point of what each character says. Might as well just write the story then, instead of outlining it.

[SteveDOOI]

My first novel, I wrote a detailed outline but then gave myself a lot of freedom in the actual writing of the book, allowing it to go up whatever side alleys and by-ways it wanted to.

My second novel, I just made up as I went along, which was fun but required a lot (and I mean a lot) of rewriting.

Since then, I've mostly banged out a quick, one page, synopsis in about half an hour, putting as little conscious thought into it as possible, then done a scene by scene breakdown on index cards, going through that three or four times, till I've got it just how I want it. And then I sit down and write the thing, only deviating from the breakdown when it's clear that something isn't going to work in practice. I've found that method works best for me. :)

[Birdi]

im rather new to this, but in all my writing i've found that using a vague outline works best for me. This doesn't mean to plan out every chapter, but i like to have a beginning and a general goal for my characters.

that being said, its important that you know your characters first. If your characters aren't fueled by a desire to meet this goal then what's the point of the story??

All in all, i think that some planning is important (i.e. history of characters, beginning and ending of plot, and some major events), but not all of the story should be scripted beforehand. Giving yourself this extra wiggle room provides space to create, and twist your plot of to add any ideas that come to you during your writing. Writing on the fly also gives you a chance to let your readers see how your characters are changing and it gives you the space to develop things/people that seem wanting.

Hope this helps,
birdi

[writewizard]

I have a very loose idea of what I want, I've just been writing random chapters as I think of them. Surprisingly they flow together quite well. But in general, anything involving outlining or that sort of thing, I avoid.

I'm the same way. :)

[JonathanMaberry]

I've changed in how I do this. When i wrote my first novel (Ghost Road Blues), I hadn't yet sold anything and I didn't know how to write fiction. I'd been writing nonfic magazine articles, how-to books and textbooks. So, I definitely plotted. I like structure.

Over the last few years I've been selling my books and writing on deadlines. The book I'm currently writing (The King of Plagues) is going to be about 160k and I started it three months ago. It's due Jan 30. And...I still plot. However I now view the plot a lot like a trellis on which I want the story to grow. The trellis supports it and gives it direction, but the story tends to grow organically and in directions I did not predict. Sometimes those organic changes are great I follow them; sometimes they're tangential and need to be pruned.

But one of the advantages of knowing the plot is that it allows you to aim the events of the story toward a very specific ending. That keeps the narrative from wandering, and allows me to foreshadow, lay clues and otherwise focus the book.

[MCWhite]

I like how so many people here have read King's "On Writing" - What a great book, esp. for aspiring writers like us.

I've always hated planning what I'm going to write- it takes all the energy and fun out of it for me. It also seems to lessen creativity. So I make no plans, just write and let the story take over, go where it wants to go. Experience has taught me that's the best approach. It's wild, to be writing and have no idea where you're going, but to get there anyway. You can really surprise yourself that way.

Sometimes I have ideas/ events that I want to incorporate, but that's about as close as I come to plotting.

[lvlr]

Okay, I know some writers who just plot out their book as detailed as possible... others who just let it happen as it happens. What kind of writer are you? And what do you find more successful?

I've never completed an unplotted story though I've tried it a lot because I find that idea more appealing. Though I've finished a lot of plotted ones. :-)

[Beyerful]

I don't know everything but I do plot it out. I know the major things, the secret, the twists but I know very little on how they figure it out etc.

I am writing a book that I planned out chapter to chapter and I love it but I find it hard to write while on the other hand I (for a personal writing test) am writing a book without plotting it and I don't even know what it is going to say on the next page as I write. I find that one easier to write, but I don't like the plot as much.

Hmm, I say, know your major things but do not know everything.

[LastTrainHome]

Nah, I dont plot out.
I start with some kind of idea, then I just write. I will then use what I have initally written (it could be a couple of pages, or a couple of chapters) to decide where the story is going, but I still dont plot out, I just scribble down some ideas. As the strory developes I tend to keep tabs on where the story is going and I'll keep scribbling down ideas. By the time I have finished the story I will have an extensive plan outline too, but it will have been developed at the same time as the story.

[vinniram]

I always used to try and plot out my ideas and write like that, but I always failed. There are only two times I've seriously attempted a novel without a plot outline - my first time I was 13 and it was a total mess.

This current time I'm up to 30 000 words and have no outline, but as I'm writing I'm coming up with backstory (it's a mystery novel) and I feel so much more fluid and comfortable this way. I just can't let my imagination fly if I write an outline.

[Merlin]

The Thing Is I come up with several Ideas and end up writing them out so I don't forget them, and this turns into whole plot ideas, unfortuantly. And by the time I've finished writing my plot idea for that, I've thought up on a new idea. :(.

[writewizard]

I tend to plot out the novel very well in my head before it ever gets down on paper. I don't use any actual plotting or outlining - at least, none at the moment. I've found that works well for me.

[BiologicalCPU]

I need to plot it out. Otherwise my characters wander off and ignore the important things they need to be doing.

Though I'll not complain if I reach a point in my writing where what I plotted out simply doesn't work. It's more knowing that I have some sort of plan. Keeps me going. Otherwise, I just give up.

[Norm]

For my current project, I have a list for my plot that also indicates how the book is going to be broken up.
At the top of the list, I wrote the three main characters and what their main motivation is. Then I started with the protagonist and wrote down (I wrote down 6) major sections for the book's plot. Then I took the two other main characters and made sure I could logically link their motivations into the plot points that I wrote. It took a little bit of reworking, but I am pretty sure I ended up with 6 bulleted points that will be a good guideline for the book.

[SamPayne]

I haven't even attempted by first story yet, but I'm hoping too and reading some of these comments has been a huge eye opener on how everyone is individual and does things differently. I suppose it really depends on what you are like and the story which you are writing. I really liked one of the early comments though:

I just can't plot out a book. Life doesn't have a plot, why should stories? If anything it makes the story more realistic...
For me I hope to just get some ideas down, and get a sort of plan of events, or else I would get really lost.