tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post5784802850376077966..comments2023-12-09T00:33:24.572-08:00Comments on Novel Matters: The Plotting Process: No "Right" Way; No "Wrong" WayBonnie Grovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-86198133365950055752009-05-05T06:44:00.000-07:002009-05-05T06:44:00.000-07:00Hi. You're absolutely right - there is no "wrong" ...Hi. You're absolutely right - there is no "wrong" or "right" in plotting (or any aspect of writing a novel).<br /><br />Personally, I like to plan in a <B>lot</B> of detail. In fact, turning the plan into prose is almost one of the last jobs!Harvey Chapmanhttp://www.novel-writing-help.com/writing-a-plot.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-68387610297991236282009-05-04T09:59:00.000-07:002009-05-04T09:59:00.000-07:00Thank you all for your comments. I love discoverin...Thank you all for your comments. I love discovering how other writers approach novel writing. I've gleaned tidbits from all of you. It's awesome the way we all interact and share here, iron sharpening iron. Love it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-13654337519097454342009-05-04T01:40:00.000-07:002009-05-04T01:40:00.000-07:00I've been a great fan of Donald Maass' book, Writi...I've been a great fan of Donald Maass' book, Writing the Breakout Novel, and it's accompanying workbook. I've found it works wonders for me.<br /><br />And in reference to adding Christian elements to secular novels, I cringed because I've actually read a couple of those in the past. It was very clear the writer wasn't familiar with what goes into writing a Christian novel. It was much like watching bad actors in a play. Eek!<br /><br />Love this blog, by the way!Kendall Evansnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-41591171642725568172009-05-03T16:08:00.000-07:002009-05-03T16:08:00.000-07:00I'm an intuitive writer. During the plotting proc...I'm an intuitive writer. During the plotting process I begin with a story concept and brainstorm, writing down things as they come to mind and saving them for incorporating into the story later. Once I begin writing the story just takes off and I ask my characters many questions, why would they do or say something, what motivates them and what do I hope them to learn as an outcome. I kind of stay in listening mode, and let the story tell me what's going to happen next. It is about as satisfying as reading a book, only I just told it to myself. Since I have learned a lot about writing scenes, do find my rythym, which I never had earlier on in my writing days. The hard part is editing the work. The initial phase of plotting is my favorite.Carla Gadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01793809172905144101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-9254121179949069742009-05-01T18:06:00.000-07:002009-05-01T18:06:00.000-07:00Well, the secret's out -- with my absence of a plo...Well, the secret's out -- with my absence of a plotting gene, I'm going to write a book about an historical character next. Now, that's safe plotting...<br /><br />Latayne C Scott<br />www.latayne.coLatayne C Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04308600868561805601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-77951471918729436392009-05-01T15:31:00.000-07:002009-05-01T15:31:00.000-07:00Although I plot extensively, the plotting process ...Although I plot extensively, the plotting process is quite random. I have a thought for a scene because I know my characters and what they want, so I write the idea down on an index card. No lie, a white, lined index card. I know, I'm hopelessly 20th century. But...I can shuffle the scenes around until the story gels and see where gaps need to be filled. I come up with scene ideas in the stangest places, so yes, I keep cards everywhere. I'm too embarrassed to tell you what I do with them next. We'll have to get to know each other better. Just know that it has to do with tape and foam core board.Patti Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07575415697841348226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-90448575117484484202009-05-01T12:43:00.000-07:002009-05-01T12:43:00.000-07:00jeff gerke: awesome. LOVE his plot tool...really ...jeff gerke: awesome. LOVE his plot tool...really well explained and makes plotting almost *gasp* easy!Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-24022537159602930922009-05-01T08:48:00.000-07:002009-05-01T08:48:00.000-07:00I appreciate your description of plotting- that's ...I appreciate your description of plotting- that's the method I've used, letting the story unfold 'naturally'. The intermediate plot points seem better than when I try to lay them out rigidly beforehand. I'll look forward to Jeff Gerke's posts, though. I'm always open to new tips and strategies.Paula Wisemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16927085053128120386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-81507176801762783762009-05-01T08:30:00.000-07:002009-05-01T08:30:00.000-07:00I'm so new to publishing I squeak when I walk, but...I'm so new to publishing I squeak when I walk, but I have a hunch, and educated guess, that the book itself dictates how it will be plotted and decided. Sometimes the genre dictates it (you can't write an excellent thriller without having plotted it out exactly, for example), other times it is the ebb and flow of the characters and situation.<br />Writing involves skills (learnable and teachable), but it also takes the intuitive creative (art/talent) to write a novel.<br /><br />Because I write upmarket contemporary (fun for thinking women), I have freedom in how my books can be plotted (which may very well be why I write what I do - I gotta be me! I gotta be me!) I'm finding that the novel I'm working on now is coming together in a very different way than Talking to the Dead came together - and it's working beautifully. The next book? I'll let you know!Bonnie Grovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.com