tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644036152805047632.post8198621169108125471..comments2024-03-28T05:22:09.542-07:00Comments on Record of a Baffled Spirit: Ambition is everything when you have a blank page.Mike Keytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15116528233058221536noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644036152805047632.post-91070113908798093882018-11-01T04:16:21.537-07:002018-11-01T04:16:21.537-07:00Vero, just doing and finding out what works is my...Vero, just doing and finding out what works is my boring conclusion :)<br />Mike Keytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15116528233058221536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644036152805047632.post-961987783510842332018-11-01T04:02:16.192-07:002018-11-01T04:02:16.192-07:00Damn, I've not read blog posts in toooo long. ...Damn, I've not read blog posts in toooo long. Seems I missed some good things. :)<br /><br />After swearing on plotting and detailed outlines, and actually enjoying writing them to various plot-point-structures, I also arrived at the conclusion that knowing exactly what and <i>how</i> something will happen further along actually robs me of the fun of writing, and results in rather dull or forced narration. Since I've decided to never write something again that I don't fully enjoy and stand for, I've now tentatively veered away from my super-detailed outlines and overplanned storylines, and into the terrifying and thrilling world of pantsing.<br /><br />However, given the genre I write in (SF), worldbuilding is still a must, but that's not something that could ever rob me of interest in a new story. :)Veronica Sicoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03741318844378921184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644036152805047632.post-34082805306247646802018-09-12T04:45:18.597-07:002018-09-12T04:45:18.597-07:00Maria, for all my reservations about 'plotting...Maria, for all my reservations about 'plotting' I'm never averse to other's experience if it's something easy to send<br /><br />Problem is, I admit it, I have a folder somewhere with advice from successful authors and I always forget to open it. <br /><br />I forget lots of things :)Mike Keytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15116528233058221536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644036152805047632.post-58879652216774147602018-09-12T04:43:17.588-07:002018-09-12T04:43:17.588-07:00Tia, I've never had two novels on the go at on...Tia, I've never had two novels on the go at once, but your principle holds true. I have had a script and a novel going on at the same time, and the two were so dissimilar in format I found it worked for me when I got stuck with one. The other alternative of course is the blog or critting the the work of others. I feel too guilty to read during the day, which I know is absurd, but for me that is an evening bonus for a day well spent. <br />And I tell you now, I could never do space opera. A talent I lack.Mike Keytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15116528233058221536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644036152805047632.post-73178985481523559412018-09-12T04:37:53.704-07:002018-09-12T04:37:53.704-07:00A friend of mine attended a writing conference whe...A friend of mine attended a writing conference where he learned about plotting by using the 3 Act Play as a template. He sent me his notes.<br /><br />I have never looked back. Of course, I don't write fiction anymore, but that insight helped me immensely. I was able to get down the bones of the story, then flesh it out because I already knew what each chapter needed. The process was perfect for the way I like to work.<br /><br />Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644036152805047632.post-27112786527664813462018-09-09T16:27:07.960-07:002018-09-09T16:27:07.960-07:00I liked your bonfire analogy. I am a plotting pans...I liked your bonfire analogy. I am a plotting panster--I write a barebones first draft with almost no description, and then I spend a couple of rewrites fleshing it out. I recently started a science fiction that I describe as the space epic I always wanted to write. I'm about as far along as you are with your unnamed WIP--over 10k words with a solid beginning and a direction. I think I know where it's going, but it could surprise me.<br /><br />Alongside the space epic, I have been rewriting the ending of my timetravel novel. Maybe rewriting overstates it--I basically tore it apart and put it back together, much tighter.<br /><br />I find it helpful to have 2 things going at once--when I word block on one thing, I can usually hum right along on the other.Tiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04587124932730392476noreply@blogger.com