Panser vs Plotter, Writing ways

Are you a panser or a plotter?

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According to Goggle: Panser: This  is someone who writes the story as it unfolds before them, with no real plan or direction Plotter: This is  someone  who is very organized and plans out every step of the book they was to write from being to end.

At a conference a few years ago this was a question from the key-note speaker. It was a term I had never heard before. A writer friend behind me said later when she first heard him say that she thought of me, I was sitting near her, and said panser as far as I was concern. At a conference this year the keynote speaker, the same man, said even if you do a little bit of planning that you were a plotter.

I know that I don’t plan every step of my book out. I have a general idea in my head but as far as writing it down that isn’t my style. I know how I want to do it but I let the characters run a muck so to speak and help me with the direction of the story line.

I only bother to work on an outline when I get stuck or I need to do a character bio that will help me with my story line. I tell people I can’t be bothered to write down an outline when all I want to do is write. But I need to remember that it is okay to plot if it helps advanced the story in the end.

But until then, I will be a panser to my heart content until the need to plot arrives.

 

Hanging out with other writers, The shop talking of writing

Hanging out with fellow writers: Do you?

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Do you ever hang out with people and talk about the craft of writing? I started a new writing group in town and it will be kept it small so we can really dive into writing or talking about writing. I met with member Carl last Thursday to write. However his daycare couldn’t take his daughter in so he brought her along. So instead of writing we talked about it. It was marvelous.

Talking about the craft to my family will only get me so far before they lost interest. I get that. So when the chance arrives to talk about it with someone who is as passionate bout it as me good times ensures. It’s not about our writings or books, it is about plots, cCharacter development, pacing, dialogue, target audience, structure, writer’s block and so much more. This can happen in a one on one interaction, a group setting or conference. Where else can you get this electric vibe being a writer?

If you are not part of a group, form one. Since I started writing I have formed three different groups. The need to be with like-minded people is the driving force. If you can’t start one for whatever reason go online to a writer’s forum.There are enough out there. The exchange of ideas, the excitement of learning something new or finding a way to fix what you are working on is so worth it.

So even if it just one on one to a room full of writers the situation remains the same, talking about writing with another writer is amazing for they get what you are doing, they get what is so exciting about it and they won’t pish posh you.

Branding yourself through business cards, Business cards for writers

Do you have business cards?

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Do you have a business card? If not, why? After all if you are a writer that is a business When you start making connections and going to conferences it is a heck of a lot easier to whip out a card then to place your contact information on a scrap of paper to give to someone. Not to mention it is more professional.

There are many places one can get a card whether that is locally or online. My place is Vistaprint since they are forever running sales on their products. When I received my fist box it felt like a confirmation in what I did. Over the years I have added additional designs to my business cards collection, each one changing as I have grown.

But that is all well and good but what do you place on a card? What do you have that others might want or need? I would start with what can you do, offer or basically what do you bring to the table? Even if you are still new you have a lot to offer. You are a writer and if you are part of a writer’s group you can be a critquer or do book reviews. Anything that can help you brand yourself is a good place to start.

The next time someone asks for you card you will be ready instead of searching for a scrap of paper or pen to write your contact information down which has a good chance of being tossed out by accident.

 

 

The Musings of A New Englander