A Guide to Novel Writing for Intuitive Plotters 

It seems most writing advice is written by writers who are plotters. This video is so helpful for those of us who are not plotters. I also always appreciate your video’s being from an editorial point of view as you give more consideration to varying styles or ways of reaching one’s writing goals. You are GOLD!

Ellen's videos are not a five minute, how-to-get-rich as an author style video. Ellen's videos are gold-mines of information, experience, and assistance for writers or potential writers to cross the next goal. Ellen's videos are an absolute delight, and super helpful. I was happy to confirm that I fell into this type, which wasn't a certainty. But so much of what Ellen said spoke to me, my mannerisms, and my potential strategies for success. Thank you for all that you do, Ellen!

Yup. I imagined myself telling you a problem with my novel, and as soon as I articulated the problem, there the solution was, staring me in the face. It’s remarkable how easy it is to forget: identify and articulate the problem.

“Write down what you intuit” really hit hard, personally. Thanks so much for bringing it to light.

I had a feeling I was this type, and I turned out to be right. This video was so validating; sometimes I feel too disorganized as a plotter, or even bogged down by it (someone else wrote that writing ideas down can make them feel like law, and that is so true for me as well) but I can't just jump into a story like a pantser; I need some direction. Hearing the first tip be "plot with summaries" made me smile, because I am doing that right now. It helps me get into the story until it's almost a zero draft, where the characters give me dialogue and the whole thing starts to flow. Its like freewriting, almost, but with purpose. That said, I'll be adding your suggestion of creating a plot summary as well, with story structure beats, to know I'm hitting those points and have them where they need to go. I never thought about doing both. You are a gem, Ellen!

Funny enough "Metholodical Pantser" and "Intuitive Plotter" where the two types I related to the most. ;) So as expected I found this almost as helpful as the last one. Great work! And thanks for sharing these types with us, I find it incredibly helpful to realize not all writing advice MUST work for me.

00:01 Intro 02:45 Plot in a way that sparks intuition 05:05 Four plotting methods 1. Plot using summaries, separate side plots and emotional transitions 2. Plot using keywords 3. Plot using note cards, either at the start or end of plotting process 4. Plot using visualization 14:35 Explore your idea freely 15:50 Find the amount of plotting that's right for you 16:40 Write down what you intuit 18:40 Turn vague issues into defined problems 20:35 Write in chronological order 22:10 Allow yourself to deviate from the outline 23:30 Edit the outline before editing the novel 24:35 Read the whole novel at once (or in as few sittings as possible), take notes, make multiple passes to concentrate on different issues 29:15 Polish front to back 31:30 Know when you can't intuit the answer, try a structure system

I've watched HUNDREDS of videos on writing, through the years, and this is the first time I feel like the advice given are actually perfect for my witting style. It's absolutely refreshing, and a genuine relief, to realize 'intuitive plotter' is a real thing. I've gotten myself so so stuck through the years trying to use the various plotting methods out there, most of them telling me to write down in depth outlines, down to every single scene, to the point where I convinced myself there was something wrong with me because following those advice always stifled my creativity instead of helping me. I realize now that I have a lot of unlearning to do, so that I can let my intuitive plotter self do her thing. Thank you so much for this video, and for all the others. I was so happy to find new content from you after all this time, you're by far my favorite source of help when it comes to writing. I'll definitely be checking out your Patreon in the morning. Thank you ❤️

As someone who falls somewhere in the middle, this was incredibly handy. I feel like I'm going to get something out of this whole series.

Thanks for this video ! As an intuitive plotter, something I find very useful is to associate important scenes and characters with songs, it's the same as visualisation but with music. I usually do it thematically, for instance villains have a theme song from the same band etc...

My biggest takeaway (other than your incredible insight and advice) is that there's nothing wrong with me! You revealing obstacles that I encounter gives me permission to go easier on myself. Thank you!

I've heard of reading prose or dialogue aloud, but recording yourself reading the summary and listening to it for visualisation or analysing tone or pacing is just pure GENIUS. Formal ways like spreadsheets feel really draining, while visualising and daydreaming tend to bring revelations and solve problems. When reading a draft for note taking without changing words, I find that printing out the draft on paper is a real psychological boost.

Using keywords makes SO MUCH SENSE. I can't believe I never thought of it before. Scenes really do have vibes to them.

This series and video in particular has helped explain so much and helped me understand myself so much better. I finally get why I’ve struggled so much it’s paralyzed my writing. I’ve thought of myself as a methological plotter and tried desperately to fit that square peg into a round hole for years when I’m, in fact, more of intuitive plotter. The techniques you’ve suggested resonated so much, it’s reignited my excitement to get back at it. Thank you!!!! #lifechanging

I think I am an intuitive plotter. I describe my writing process this way: the story already exists out there in the universe, and the universe randomly decides to share snippets of it with me in eureka moments of inspiration (hokey, I know, but it's how it feels lol). I channel those snippets into a plot document that I play around with, and eventually everything slots into place. When I encounter issues with the plot or pacing, if I wait a month or two another eureka moment happens and the solution is basically delivered to me by my brain/the universe. And once that picture feels whole and complete and has really taken shape, I begin writing. In that way, some times I feel less like an author creating a story and more like a conduit for a story that wants to be told Edit: I even do the notecard/sticky note thing!!! And I've used PowerPoints too. Damn I'm sold, this is my writing type I'm convinced.

It's ridiculous how closely I relate to this. This is almost the exact way I plot and I never have been able to describe it. The vagueness is so clear to me because this is how it feels for me.

Great video. One thing that's important for me, that you might also agree with, is not to write down all that you intuit *too* fast. I'm definitely identifying with the intuitive plotter type, but what I've found for myself is that the absolute first idea, while often good, can be improved by "letting it simmer" - much like the advice you get when wanting a tattoo, to not go blindly with your first idea and to let it percolate some more. Writing it down, to me, can often feel limiting because then it doesn't percolate naturally anymore. You've written it down, this is law now. Or it might just be me, that's also a distinct possibility!

Definitely agree with the daydreaming about your characters when you are not writing and imo the best day comes when doing mundane chores(ie the dishes, the lawn ect) something simple enough that you can autopilot and let your mind go

I have intensely experienced what you mentioned regarding plotting too much. I burnt out a lot of my passion for a story idea I've been carrying around for months by overplotting it over the course of a few days. I also frequently get frustrated beginning to write a story only to intuit that I should be writing something different than what I had plotted. I'm glad this it isn't just me and I should just go with my gut lol. Will definitely be trying a bunch of these strategies.

Thank you SOOOO MUCH! I wasn't sure if I was an Intuitive Pantser or an Intuitive Plotter until I watched this video. I really struggled to plot and really became blocked while working on my latest book but your insight that Intuitives need to plot in an aesthetically pleasing way was a major breakthrough for me. I now create my scene outlines using a title, a short description, a picture, a couple of keywords for tone, and a sentence describing the scene's purpose in the novel and then color-coded it all by character viewpoint. It is FABULOUS! It has really unlocked my creativity and solved my plotting issues at the same time.

These videos have been so helpful! I was never sure exactly where I fell in the plotter panster spectrum, but assumed I was more of a panster. Now I realize I relate much more to the intuitive plotter type! I love the tips and will definitely try them out in my writing process.

Happy 2022! I hope it's off to a great start! If you've watched the previous videos, new information starts at 02:47 I also forgot to mention in the video that intuitive plotters might find the technique described in my "How to Plot Your Novel Fast" video useful: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-v-I9N5LsvPM.html Thanks for watching! I'm excited for all the new videos I have planned this year!

Fantastic advice! Such a refreshing approach, too! Not your average, recycled writing tips. Thank you, Ellen! You give wonderful ideas for writers to try and great analogies to help us understand your points easily.

As an intuitive plotter, this might be the most helpful video out of the thousands I have watched over the last few years. You are so on to me that it is like you are spying on me when I am writing.😂

Probably keeps pinterest boards, 3 by 5 cards, notebooks...I feel called out. I also keep a sketch book where I draw and visualize my ideas and characters. I often have to draw it before I can write about it. What you said about plotting via summery also really resonated. It's the only type of plotting that really works for me, aside from drawing a literal pyramid with little stars and things all over it. I think I'm a 50/50 combo of intuitive plotter and methodological pantser. Dang.

I feel this type fits me fairly well. I do the "keyword" method, but using certain songs or playlists. Most major scenes in my novels have an attached song that just brings up the emotional tone and general thrust of the scene, or just the arc of certain characters. I just turn on my playlist when I'm working on that novel and that tends to get me pretty far in terms of sparking intuition.

You know how I plot in a way that sparks intuition? I turn on a playlist of your videos and wrote down what comes to me on a fresh canvas!

The first in-depth video made me doubt it because some things felt applicable but now I'm definitely sure I'm (rather deeply) in the Intuitive Plotter square of the spectrum. I felt so understood by every example you talked about 🐋

YES YES YES KEY WORD PLOTTING I’ve been using that one this whole time!!!

I really like this video because I do the same thing, the intuitive plotter as you call it. All the advice you've mentioned brought up great points. Plus, what I noticed is that whenever I struggle with the book is to do some extra freewriting. What I do is that I write a certain scene for the book and hold it until I get to that spot on the book and place it on; I always write my books in chronological order. It's the rising action I struggle with that I'm glad you gave these tips.

This has been so helpful in so many ways. It has called out my wish to be a discovery writer but truly I need more structure than that, and you were able to articulate why (e.g., can't sustain all the parts for longer prose; getting lost). I realized that what I'm actually "discovering" is my intuition about people and narratives. I also realized this is how I write for academic writing such as my dissertation or scholarly manuscripts. Thank you so much!

Completely realized outlines _feel_ good to have on the surface, but they actually make my process more difficult, not easier. Most of my ideas manifest _during_ writing and simply cannot exist outside of that flow state. It's the difference between directing a team from the stands and being on the ground with them calling the shots -- it's a completely different experience from each perspective.

Great video. Instead of recording yourself reading to visualize your plot there are some tools (e.g. the browser) where you can put your summaries etc. or even drafts to speech and think about it. Works for me. 🙂

This series is so incredibly fascinating! I think I'm somewhere between Intuitive Plotter and Intuitive Pantser.

Ellen - Girl - You need to write a book with this info!! Amazing !!!

I plotted one novel intensely ( took a year), a few others I plotted with much less details and others I developed with a one page outline and they all came out working right. The more I plotted the less I got stuck at first. What made every effort a story was understanding how story structure works. At the end of the day it has to work as a story or it's not readable. Structure doesn't stop intuition it enhances it and directs it. Feed the left brain craft and then let the right brain's creativity lose.

The minute you mentioned using a PowerPoint presentation as a form of plotting, I got sooo excited. This itched a part of my brain that I didn't realize I needed. I am so excited to start this. I think it's exactly what I needed to break everything up and also see how everything fits together and to visualize all the components of a scene or a character (sights/sounds/energy/etc). Thank you for taking the time to do this. I gained so much from this video and I really appreciate it!!!

I’ve found myself shifting and blending techniques from both intuitive plotting and methodological pantsing. Thank you so much for helping me realize I’m on the right track!

This is my type and so much of this advice was perfect for me! I also realize I've already done a lot of this myself lol

This is so helpful! I have felt “sparking intuition” by making notecards or drawing the arc of the plot but I never really had a term to make my process feel legitimized! Thank you so much for your wisdom - there was so much here to help me deal with roadblocks and spark more intuition! I would say the best other thing for me is to talk to someone when I’m stuck, but only with someone who asks good questions and doesn’t convince me out of my own intuition!

Finally! Someone really dig deeper on why some of typical techniques (like using Story Structures, and just plotting on bullet point) never work for this kind of writer. Thanks for pointing out this problem with epic solution. I am never be this open minded to write story since I'm always stuck to continue the story when just referring the bullet points I did.

Intuitive-pantser here. Editing debut novel. Love your videos.

I'm fascinated. I always daydreamed a lot about my stories. I can do this for hours, I always felt guilty for spending so much time in my head and not on paper. You saying this can be positive changes everything for me. thanks

9:30 I just recently started putting in a single quote from a character into every aspect of what I outline, from comments about set pieces to a specific bit of dialogue I want to get to in a scene, and the section right before this time code just explained why I started doing that! Neat!

OMG I DISNT KNOW AB THAT THATS LITERALLY ME THANK U FOR THIS

While I prefer to write chronologically, I can intuit character emotion easily so that explains why I can also write/plot out of order pretty easily, and often alternate between periods where I'm writing chronologically and periods where I'm writing out of order. As a very chaotic methodological-panster, I constantly move between both. :D

I was so stressed out about my novel cause I was trying to use a less intuitive plotting techniques, I struggle when I don't have an overall view of my novel so I thought plotting was the way to go but seeing you group writing techniques like that is a blessing, I've always found it easier to spark my intuition whenever scenes and emotional arcs are summarised using moodboards and I have a certain song or playlist to go with that this video made me feel so much better ty for it

I'm much more of an intuitive pantser, or at the very least a plantser, but what really helps me is character work. I've found out that almost all of my edits boil down to dealing with character issues, so if I have a solid grasp of the characters beforehand I do much less rewriting/editing. Characters still surprise me, but it's best to know as much as you can beforehand, imo. When I plot I do the story circle and I fill it out in summary as I go along. I can generally plot about 1 square ahead of where I am. Other than that I just have the vaguest idea of what's going to happen. Like the good guys win in the end, etc.

I have heard every plotting type out there, I am sure. I love them. But this one has pegged me almost painfully. I love it!

Instrumental music really helps me get inspired and gain clarity/creativity. Something about music (especially movie soundtracks) helps me “see” the emotions or plots or characters that I want to write. If you’re stuck or lacking inspiration, you might want to listen to inspiring music that has the same “vibe” as your novel

This was perfect for me!! I have been really finding my groove when I have a small summary reminder.

I never realized I was using the keyword method! I always create a playlist for my novels with each song representing the feel of a scene.

I use all these methods. Flow charts, then bulleted lists, then a summary, then I edit all of them through and through until the plot makes sense. I usually have to completely redo all of these in revision, but it saves me doing lots of rewrites.

This is single-handedly the most useful video I've ever watched on helping me write. Just to moving forward feels impossible. But everything in this video makes perfect sense!

I’m new to the serious writing game( I call it a game ‘cause, wow it’s fun, huh?!) and I’ve been watching your videos for a couple weeks. I’ve already learned so much, but the most important thing has been the confidence to keep writing. While binging through your videos I’ve discovered a high number of advice and tips that have really clicked for me. I didn’t realize other people worked this way. As a musician and creative person I understand (through talking to other musicians) that all people have a different method to channel their creativity, but I really needed the confirmation that I’m not just a crazy manthing. Lol. In this newer endeavor and passion of mine, I really needed that confidence. Thank you. I realized am an intuitive plotter, 100%. I don’t usually write a lot of things down unless I have it figured out in my head first. I think-plot all the time, I don’t mean to it just happens. Sometimes it is when I am watching your videos that makes that something click. Please keep making these videos. I appreciate them. I seriously feel like I can do this now and put all my time into it, and keep having fun with it.

Hay! You're back! Good to see you again in 2022. Keep up the good work, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of these videos.

Thanks for the video, Ellen. I will watch it again later, to try to reinforce some points about avoiding pitfalls. One thing I've found useful, when developing a story from a handful of images and themes, is making little character charts fairly early in the process. Apart from keeping track of basic details like hair color, it is useful because you can bounce back and forth between characters and plot, using one to inspire further developments in the other. My own character charts have name, appearance, personality, plot function, and things like their greatest desire, greatest fear, worst memory and thing most valued. It can also be very useful if this chart includes a list of all the chapters the character appears in (easier if you plan the novel in numbered chapters). This helps with working on their arcs during the revision process.

Your insight on this topic is so impressive! This is me to a t. I had such a difficult time figuring out how I wrote best - the plotter/pantser binary just does not work with this type, yet all planning advice is structured in this context. It's great to now be able to frame others' advice through the lens of considering what writing type they might be. So smart! I already use most of the methods you outlined, but it's amazing to know there are other people who do the same things as me, and that it's not as hodgepodged as it feels!

This is so helpful. I feel very encouraged to embrace my process. Thank you for doing this ❤️

Hi Ellen, I've been watching you on and off for a couple years now I think and I've recently jumped back into writing. You should know that you are one of the most useful writing resources on RU-vid. Keep up the great work because you truly are a unique and helpful person.

I never imagined someone would describe my writing thought process so perfectly! I was actually already using some of these peices of advice before watching, but now it turns out I have some cool new things to try out! (I like the Google slides one)

I've been so excited for this video, thank you so much!

the PowerPoint suggestion made plotting my story so much better, thank you!!

Definitely an intuitive plotter. I use all these tools. Another thing I do is sketch out scenes that I'm about to write, something clicks when I do this although I am NOT an artist, stick figures work for me, lol. I like the idea of using Power Point for the plot of the novel. Gonna try that. For character arc I have to verbally talk it out with my characters(which means I talk to myself😄) Thank so much for this channel, Ellen🙂

Your videos are really getting a lot better, in a way that I didn’t anticipate they even needed to be.

I thought this was probably me. Then I watched the video and it’s definitely me. Your advice has been very helpful.

I love this series of videos, and I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for the last two videos to come out. Thanks, Ellen. This is top tier writing advice all aspiring authors need to hear!

This would be fabulous in a book! The four types of writers... if it doesn't exist already, I'd buy it from you. GREAT explanations, thank you.

Yeah, this me. I never imagined how helpful plotting using key words would be. When I did it I thought of them as chapter titles. After a day I had a title for every chapter in the outline. It felt like I had so much forward momentum as a result.

This video hit hard & shifted my world. Just last night I finally figured out the magic of putting aside the scene cards to write the story summary with scenes that I know so far instead. Worked wonders! Thank you for this series of videos! Saved this vide and I’m going to go watch it a couple more times over to soak it in.

Your videos have been very helpful to me to finish my first novel and plotting the second one while having intuitive ideas for the third. Thank you so much

So happy (deliriously happy!) To have you back, just as I am embarking on my second novel. Love your new look, as well. The glasses and updo suit you well!

honestly best series on writing i've encountered - such a pragmatic focus and so great to get the macro and micro of each tip

As I am usually excited with learning about structure I thought I was methodological plotter, but this video makes so much sense to me!! Thank you for coming back

Thanks Ellen - my jaw dropped multiple times during this video in an (IS THAT WHY I DO THIS??!) kind of way. Super useful tips and tricks.

I‘m a hard pantser and focused on that. So I thought I‘m something between methodological and intuitive pantser. (Everything, as long as it has pantser written in its name, haha) I watched your last video about the Methodological Pantser and thought ‚well this might help me a lot‘, though some tricks didn‘t really work and just didn‘t feel natural. Now, after this video, I think I focus more on being intuitive. So maybe I am able to plot, as long as it doesn‘t cut off my intuition. What you said about the vibe of a scene just hit it. You‘re videos are a great help, because you don‘t tell us the ultimate method, the golden key to everything, but you rather give us the means to discover more about ourselves and thereby grow. I‘m very happy to give you something back for that, now that you’re on Patreon. I‘m looking forward to new videos - who knows what I can discover then ;)

YAY! This is the video I've been waiting for! I have already watched it twice. Your observations about working chronologically, keeping inspiration at the forefront, and documenting hazy thoughts about problems / potential solutions were spot on, for me. I love your suggestions and am especially excited to try plot summaries and visualization. I think I've been leaning a little too hard on structure lately, and as a result, my story has sort of drifted out of my wheelhouse.

I absolutely love this series! So glad you're posting more these days and hope all is well with you.

This is so mind-opening, thank you so much for doing this. Learning I am an intuitive plotter is so friggin' helpful. Outlining is my creative playground, and I thought that was super weird and nonconstructive before I saw this.

Thank you so much, this is exactly what I needed. Your advice is really precious, haven't heard of these continuums anywhere else. But it makes so much sense to me. It helps me understand my own writing habits and sort out what is useful for me to do and not linger on what is not. I myself also love to intuitively sense or "speak" with my characters and then write down what they wish to tell me.

This is AMAZING! I consider myself an intuitive plotter and it is downright scary how useful this video is for me. Thank you ☺️

Nice to see you posting new vids.

Oh my gosh thank you for making this!

Wow. Wow. This was so helpful. I've written 10 books now and didn't know this about myself. Just about everything you said, I knew exactly what you were talking about. I never knew what to say when writers asked if I was a plotter or a pantser and I would say both. lol. Thank you so much for all these great tips. I don't like planning but I need it, but can't pants either bc I get lost or stuck. Glad to see you back. Your videos are always extremely helpful.

Great advice as usual! And love your new glasses Ellen.

I'm more of an intuitive pantser, but the last half of the video definitely had helpful tips for my kind of writing! I'm rewriting a novella I wrote a few years ago and fleshing it out into a full novel, finally addressing plot holes etc. I've improved so much as a writer since then, I'm very excited to be able to fix all the issues I tried to ignore years ago lol. Gonna use these tips as I continue with revision to hopefully speed up my process! I'm actually really looking forward to having the whole rewritten draft done so I can read through it all at once and get a better idea of how I can make it the best version of itself.

This is exactly me. You nailed it, and many of your ideas are things I'm already doing without really reflecting on it. I tend to use summaries and sometimes visualization (though I only occasionally search for media to use as inspiration, it's mostly in my head), I write intuitively but am not afraid to change the plotting according to what I write (because the best ideas can only come once I've written parts of the story), and I definitely only write in chronological order. I have not yet tried to read the thing in one sitting, I'm definitely going to do that. Thanks for another great video.

this info is so comprehensive and amazing. I cannot believe you are offering it for free. Girl, you're adding so much to the world with your work.

This might sound weird but your videos are really helping me plan my life lol! I'm grateful for your writing insights. It's helping me to troubleshoot how I write and plan out my life. Especially realized that I tend to over plot my life then lose interest in follow through because it's not grounded by intuitive decision making within an actual context that narrows down the possibilities. You're amazing, keep it up! ❤

I love your videos so much! They have been so helpful, happy new years! ❤️

This was really helpful! I identified a lot with a lot of the things you said. In fact, before I started writing, I would daydream in order to quiet my thoughts at night and fall asleep. A lot of writing advice has felt like it drags down my process more than it helps, but these tips feel more in sync with my process. My husband is my helper when I get stuck in the "this doesn't feel right" situation. He thinks a bit differently than I do and is able to narrow in on what part of it isn't working. And he's not a writer, so I think bringing in a fresh set of eyes regardless of the person's expertise can be super helpful. I find certain activities can help spark my intuition. For me the easiest one to pull out is stretching.

I really enjoy your content. I am glad you are back

Thanks for coming back❤️

After watching the video where you introduced all the types, I was torn between whether I'm an intuitive or methodological plotter, but WOW, quite literally every single point in this video hit home! Thanks for the great advice!

Wow this is 100% me. So helpful! Something that's really worked for me in my current WIP is I have a loose outline with the overarching beats of the story, and then I do more in depth planning for the first 1/4 of the book. When I finish drafting that, I pause and plan out the next 1/4 in detail and so on. It's really helped with drafting faster and plotting as close as my brain will allow. It also allows flexibility and pivoting if I have to.

I've been looking forward to this, as someone who falls somewhere in the middle on all spectrums and therefore considers all advice good advice.

Thank you so much for this video, it’s helped me immensely! I knew I was a plotter, but I kept hitting a brick wall in terms of the Excel sheets, plot points and beat sheets I was supposed to make. I personally found them, just as you say ‘ugly and uninspiring’. I had no idea plotting could be done differently. Frustration set in as I knew I had a story to tell, but it just wouldn’t surface beyond a certain point. Little did I know story structures can be intuitive! Your advice to use multiple apps/writing tools at once was so helpful as well. I now have a set of apps I use, depending on my mood and the kind of ideas I have - based on music, pictures, words and more - and it works super well. Thanks so much, all your videos are amazing!

This is the most useful and resonant and articulate video on plotting tips I've ever seen, definitely going to be coming to this and also checking out the others. I actually wowed out loud lol, thank you!!

At first, I thought I might be a methodological pantser as the tips in that video made sense in why I've been struggling (I'm sure all the tips for the different types make some sense to everyone); however, I am certainly closer to this type. Every bit of this is just... me. I've never been a pantser, but because I often stifle myself with over-plotting, I believed I needed to stop plotting, which drove me crazy. I spend a ton of time imagining a story based on the heart and soul of it (intuition) but enjoy the structure I personally need to make it happen (plot). This type seems the right balance for me. Thank you, Ellen, truly.

Great video as always! Keep up the good work.