I've never heard someone describe the plotter/pantser dynamic like this, or plotting like this. It's always interesting and useful to see how different people do it, so thanks for sharing.
I consider myself a planner. I have never written a story that I didn't have a pretty good idea of how it was going to end before I started writing. I have an concept for a book that I've picked up and set aside several times over the last couple years. I set it aside because I can't come up with an ending that seems to work and doesn't feel like a fizzle or a deus ex machina, but the idea is too compelling for me to abandon it completely. My question is, should I barrel through with it and hope the ending comes to me at some point during the process, or should I wait until I have my ending before I get too far in? I've actually written the first several chapters multiple times, but I get frustrated and start to loose focus without a clear destination that I'm driving the plot towards. I'd welcome anyone's thoughts.
Interesting question! I would say that you should continue to write it EVEN if you don't necessarily have an ending in mind... Now, you should have some idea of how you want the central conflict to be resolved, but the actual ending scene or sequence can always get worked out later. Do you have an idea of where you want the story to go and what "approaching the end" looks like?
@@wrestlingwithwords Thanks for your quick reply, and for catching me using incorrect terms. I know where I want the plot to end and where most of the characters will be at the conclusion, but the climax between the protagonist and the villain I can't settle on.
I try to reply to every comment, but don't worry about using any of the incorrect terminology! If you want, you can email me 10-15 pages and where you plan on taking the rest of the story and I can see if I can give you some feedback. There should be a business email on my account channel page.
Put simply, not exactly. The Hook is the first thing that catches your reader's interest and draws them into your story. The Inciting Incident is an event that sets the story in motion and puts your protagonist/characters on an irreversible path toward the story's ending/climax.
@@igoldenknight2169 feel free to shoot me an email as you get a little bit farther along in your WIP. I’d love to provide some feedback on some sample pages when you feel they are ready!
I have to say, I am confused as to what audience this is intended. I would divide writers into two groups. 1. People getting started for whom motivation is likely to be the biggest problem. I think the most important direction for them would be to write what is in their heart, to write for themselves. It is easiest to write an autobiography, in fiction form. That is what I am doing. Obviously a lot of the events have been changed (who is going to believe 5 kg of cheese saved my life?), but it shows my learning process in dealing with specific problems (character arc, if I understand that term finally, emotional and psychological growth otherwise). I think it will be of interest to people facing the same problems, but I don't really care. The most important thing is that I learn how to write a decent text that holds the reader's attention throughout. And for me, the advice today didn't make a lot of sense because it is not where I am at. 2. More 'professional' writers who are not really putting themselves into the book but rather trying to achieve a certain effect, like create a mystery or romance. They are writing for others, including agents, and this advice is for them. But I would expect them to be accomplished and so this is going to be a repeat of what they know, just perhaps in a more synoptic format. Thus, I am not sure how many are going to be interested.
Hey! I appreciate your concern, however, I will from time to time share videos that sometimes appeal to the more "advanced" writing advice and sometimes to the "beginner". Also, I'm glad to hear you've gotten a handle on understanding character arcs!
Don't worry; it's nothing personal. I just showed on another channel that the opening pages of A Wrinkle in Time were telling, not showing, which resulting in a conflict as the actions showed Meg to live in the present, her thoughts to live in the past. I'll do anything to avoid analysing the Lithuanian alphabet further. It's the spring that never dries up and I want to get onto vocabulary. @@wrestlingwithwords
I think my main problem is no so much having writer's block but decision paralysis. I usually have multiple possible directions I can take a story, so I struggle to choose one path.
I completely understand how decision paralysis can be overwhelming. It's important to remember that having multiple possible directions can be a good thing. Take your time, explore each path, and see which works and which doesn't. Sometimes when we go to sit down and write an idea, we realize it is a better idea than than an implemented concept.
@@wrestlingwithwords Thanks for the encouraging advice! I guess it's like you said. The real writing is in the revision phase. I have to come to grips that I won't get it right the first time.
For sure. Just get those initial words on the page, no matter if there are too many or too few. It can sometimes be easier to work with actual prose than ideas/outlines! Keep me posted on your progress :).
