You might remember from a few months ago that I mentioned things here have been hectic. The good news is life is starting to level out again, thank goodness. My insecurity now is that it might not last. Or maybe that's more of a fear. Either way, I'm trying very hard to focus on positive things and one of those things is my writing.
Are you an outliner or a pantser? Do you work on more than one story at a time? How do you pick which project you're going to focus on?
Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh and our co-hosts for keeping IWSG going. For those who aren't familiar with Insecure Writer's Support Group, just follow the link. It's a wonderful group.
Happy Holidays!
I'm in awe of those of you who can juggle multiple projects at once. I'd confuse myself.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm a plotter. If I don't know where I'm going, I won't move.
I'm a pantsaliner. =) I used to be able to juggle multiple manuscripts, but that was long LONG before I had 4 home schooling kids. The brain can only hold onto so much at once, eh? I always go with the project that has the most pressing deadline.
ReplyDeleteI start with a basic outline. I know the end from the beginning. After that, I'm a panster all the way.
ReplyDeleteI'm not able to juggle multiple projects either. I was a staunch outliner but as I continue writing I'm becoming more of a pantser, letting the characters take me where they want to. Glad things have chilled a bit for you!
ReplyDeleteAlex, I've never been successful at outlining and it's not for lack of trying. I've tried several different ways of doing it, including colored post-it notes. I gave up.
ReplyDeleteCrystal, I know the feeling of the brain only holding so much. There have been plenty of days when the day job takes up all of mine.
Stephen, your way sounds like the best of both styles. :)
Jennifer, I think the reason outlining doesn't work for me is because even though I'll know what trouble my characters will face, their actions dictate what happens.
I'm an outliner, but I find that my story changes so much as I write it, sometimes I feel more like a pantser. And I'm usually working on two or three projects at the same time, which is probably kind of dumb since I'm such a slow writer. Whatever works, I guess.
ReplyDeleteI'm such a pantser!! It's terrible. I get started then I go back and outline. I know I should do it the other way around, but I love to get an idea and let the characters lead me first. I'm working on two books right now. One is of more interest to me than the other, so I think i'll finish that one first:)
ReplyDeleteKen, I hear great things about outlining. One day it's going to work for me. That day wasn't when I was planning these novels, though. Outlining was a disaster.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, I'm waiting for one of my stories to interest me more. It will be the one I focus on.
I've never tried anything like this, but I do like the idea of writing the scenes you know in advance. I kind of did that in NaNo this year. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Elements of Writing
I'm very happy to hear things are leveling out. Will keep prayers coming that it continues on the uptrend.
ReplyDeleteBouncing between three projects until one steals your focus seems like a much better idea than trying to force one if you're not feeling it. I'm not great at working at more than one project at a time. I consider myself to be a lazy plotter - very loose outline with plenty of wiggle room to have fun with along the way.
I also work on multiple projects at a time, and generally, I pick based on which one I feel most connected to at a specific time.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your writing!
Emaginette, several of my novels started that way.
ReplyDeleteNicki and Misha, I figure one of these ideas will take off and be the one I end up focusing on.
I'm a one project girl, but I do have ongoing color-coded journals full of notes for stories waiting in the wings. Love the Calvin and Hobbs cartoon.
ReplyDeleteI tend to bounce between projects. This weekend the MG received most my attention, which surprised me. It was the one I was the most lost on.
ReplyDelete