SPA Girls Podcast – EP287 – Plotting for Pantsers
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Are you one or the other, or something in between?
While Trudi is an outright plotter, Cheryl considers herself a hybrid and Wendy is a confirmed pantser. Shar isn’t with us today but we know she’s tried it all!
But is this a hard and fast thing?
You’ll find out when and how we plot and the struggles involved with pantsing. The differences intrigue us and we think you’ll agree there is a wide scope to fit in either camp or somewhere in between.
If you’re starting out, plotting is a great way to begin your journey. In the time it takes you to write one book you might get another couple out if you plot.
That said, if you’re like Wendy, no amount of plotting is going to work as you’ll end up somewhere else anyway, making the plotting a waste of time.
What about research? Is that part of plotting?
As we often say, writing is a journey, and your experience will never be exactly the same as anothers. Don’t let anyone tell you there is only one way or that theirs is the best way.
Whatever type of writer you are, remember that no one writes like you and how you write affects your voice and your process. Before you decide what that is is, try all the ways we’ve suggested – you may be surprised!
Mentioned in the podcast:
Story Grid – https://storygrid.com
Michael Hauge – https://www.storymastery.com
Lisa Cron – https://www.selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/spa-girls-podcast-ep-249-interview-with-story-coach-lisa-cron/
Romancing the Beat – http://gwenhayes.com/free-stuff/
Snowflake Method – https://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/articles/snowflake-method/
April 20, 2021
You must be mind-readers. As always you are on target. I’m beginning my 3rd book, and I use the Story Grid. It can’t be beaten for a simple one-legal page-size outline of my book. I shouldn’t say outline because it’s more to do with getting the core or soul of the story. You have to decide is it a novel? Fiction? Genre? Scenes? reality?Style? Structure?Content?
Plot (tropes)?, Values?. Desires?. Stakes?. Conventions?, POV? Theme? Then you briefly in one sentence describe the plot and subplot. Story Grid is a great book. It makes you examine the structure of your book so you don’t go wandering around.He has an example in the book Silence of the Lambs. However, if that is too gruesome he also has examples on his website from Harry Potter and Pride & Prejudice, and probably a few more since my well-worn copy is from 2016.
April 27, 2021
Really great comment Martha, thank you – Trudi is a HUGE fan of Story Grid too!