Thursday, September 2, 2010

Confession: I've Become A Plotter (The Horror!)

First up, I'd like to give a HUGE THANKS to everyone who entered Operation Awesome's One-Line Pitch Contest!! We never thought entries would be filled in one day, ya'll! You rock. And best of luck to everyone who entered!

Okay. Now for the heavy stuff. 

Ladies and gentlemen, I am no longer a pantser.

I am a plotter.

The one thing I never thought I'd be, and here I am. Plotting before I sit down to actually write. *sigh*

Here's what happened: an idea for a new WIP came to mind a few months ago, but I put it aside because it was for a genre I've never written in. Months went by and I wrote another WIP while thinking about The One I Was Ignoring. After finishing Another WIP's first draft, I was burned out on the genre. I literally could not envision myself tackling rewrites because I thought my brain would melt. 

Fast forward to a week ago. I go back to The One I Was Ignoring and think about the premise. Then the characters. Then the voice. Then the genre. Cue my heart attack. 

After recovering from my heart attack, I realized this was a story I REALLY WANTED to write. But the fear of swimming in uncharted waters scared the bejeezus out of me. And that, my dear blogging buddies, is why I'm outlining. 

I refuse to believe I can't do this. So I need a plan of attack, one that's carefully constructed, to help me get through it. 

I'll tell you all about my outlining strategy later on, but for now, tell me: have you done anything you swore you'd never do lately??

11 comments:

  1. How could you? Totally kidding, I have really tried to be a plotter. Would love to be one actually, I just can't do it so good for you!

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  2. Buwahahaha!! I knew you'd come over to the dark side eventually. ;-)

    Seriously, though, I'm proud of you. Plotting is hard work. Writing is way more fun. But I know it'll be worth it for you! Can't wait to read your newest!

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  3. The baby is so scary!!!

    But anyway - WELL DONE you!! I think if it works for you it works!! And this book will be all the better for it cos what I'm getting is a fired up enthusiasm from you! Yay!!!

    I swore I'd never buy a pair of shoes again this summer but hey!! :-)

    Take care
    x

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  4. Good for you! Hope the book comes out just like you want it to. :)

    And thanks for Operation Awesome's pitch contest. Great opportunity!

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  5. Yeah, I plotted my last book. It's the best one yet. I guess I should have succumbed and done it sooner. =)

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  6. I actually think that baby is a cutie pie, despite the crazy face it's making. Or maybe because of it. I'm not sure.

    One of the many wonderful things about writing is that we can approach it however we so choose. I'm still a pantser who can't imagine plotting, but I admire your bravery for tackling your story from a new angle. I bet it will work out for the best!

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  7. I love it when a story idea pulls you into it like a twister. What genre is your new baby?

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  8. Oh noes, call the cops!

    :D

    Sometimes it's the things that we refuse to do at first that prove to be the best for us. We're just stubborn creatures who hate to realize we're wrong.

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  9. I attempted to outline.

    Attempt being the key word here! Lol

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  10. Yay! So glad to know I'm not alone in the freakout department.

    Angela M.- The genre is YA contemporary. I've been a fan for quite a while, but I never thought I'd get an idea of my own. Guess time will tell if I'm good at it or not, huh?

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  11. The ms I have planned for NaNo is something I'm extremely excited about but I'm also really freaked out. It's something that's going to be a challenge but I'm making that the fun part! I'm going to write the hell out of this one and enjoy every complicated minute.

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