So I finally managed to get my current WIP back on track, which largely involved my sitting myself down and telling myself to write (and making a few pots of coffee, because really, it goes hand in hand)
It’s amazing what you can do when you force yourself to. Yay for 0 procrastination today (well mostly anyway)
Starting Total: 65807
Today’s Total: 12016
New Total: 77823
Like yay and stuff!
Which means I should definitely be able to get the 2nd Book’s first draft done by the end of Monday if not before.
And after that it’ll be time to get cracking on the outline for #3.
I’m a bit behind the schedule I made for myself, but I still think two first drafts in a couple of days over 3 months isn’t too shabby. Once I finish 3 though – watch me panic over revisions.
Anyway – Finally feel like I’m back in the saddle.
I always wonder how other people slog through their first drafts. Do you plot? Do you pants? Do you force yourself to write? I’m curious.
I tried pantsing…..it doesn’t work. I’m currently outlining, and must force myself to do so, or I get distracted by other stuff (like watching truck wrecks on YouTube. Don’t ask.) I’m going to set myself a schedule that includes my game time, write time, drive time, etc.
Yes, you need to set yourself up a schedule. Outlining is what I find easier. I have a heap of good links I can send you on skype if you like
Yes, that would great. I’ll pull Skype up, and leave it up. I have to leave to get our clothes washed, since our washer died…
I have to plot. When I pants I find I get all off track from my original idea.
Exactly! I’ve pantsed so many stories before, and I always end up off tangent. My characters tend to take over. So, now I plot.
Congratulations! It’s good to complete goals.
Every Savage Can Reproduce
Makes you feel great, doesn’t it!?
awesome!!!!! I’ve done a general outline, but as you know from my last post, I’m having a hard time stopping the inner editor. So now, I’m going to try doing a more detailed outline and force myself to just push through that first draft.
Sounds like a good idea. I find the more detailed the outline, the better. However, if your characters still come up with other ideas, don’t reign them in too much, just gently guide them back hehe.
Congrats on getting back on track! I do a rough outline before starting my first draft but then I allow the story to grow organically where it needs to. The outline is really there just to help keep me moving forward and make sure I don’t miss any plot points or character development.
Thank you 😀 Oh, I like that idea. Definitely a great idea to use a loose outline with plenty of room to grow! My outline doesn’t stop the story making it’s own detours, just helps me get it back on track!
Wow, impressive! Congrats on getting back on track.
Very rough, vague outline and then pantsing. I tried full outlines. It doesn’t work for me. Then I tried pantsing. That really didn’t work for me. 😛
Also, I am in your dystopian/post-apocalyptic group, dropping in to say hi!
Thank you. I tend to find if I have a pretty detailed outline (which of course, characters often improve on 😉 ) I can just sit and write until my brain is too tired.
Vague outline and pantsing sounds like fun! I never got around to trying that.
Hi! *waves* Dystopia/post-apocalyptic for the win!
I’m a pantser so getting to the end of a first draft isn’t that hard. I want to know what happens so I write to get it done. The only solid plotting I do is what happens in the middle and the ending, that way I can layer the story as well as keep myself happy.
Wow, I wish pantsing worked that way for me. Whenever I pants the story I start with is different from the end I end up with so revising is a NIGHTMARE.
I think the difference is – I know what I want to happen, and not getting it to happen because my characters interfere is frustrating. I’m really glad it works for you hehe.
So far this new way of plotting in detail is working for me. My characters still vere off track, which is good and makes the story richer, but I can always gently herd them back on point 😀
Hi KT! Congrats on the holy-lots-of-words day! You’re a ROCKSTAR!!
I’m a crazy mad drafter. I love to go fast fast fast. (sounds like you do too!)
I do plot, save-the-cat style, but it still equals a ton of free writing. And I almost never know my characters until I’m done the first draft. I discover them as I go. Then I work ’em out in revisions. 🙂
Congrats again!
Hi Ali 😀 I love your Ninja site btw – I’m trying to find the time to pop over and do more than just sign up!
Yeah my drafts go fast (as long as I plot). I think I’d refer to how I write as: binge writing lol. I just write and write for days and get it done hehe.
Getting to know your characters as you write sounds awesome.
Thank you!