Tag Archives: Creative writing

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.

The motivation to write, What's slowing you down to write?

Do you have the motivation to write?

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How do you stay motivated to write? There are so many distractions especially if we stay home. You have the fridge, the TV and of course the couch and bed. From the people I know around me they tend to go to a coffee shop or a library where their access to comfort is not within reach. But then we have the lovely smart phone. We convince ourselves we will be on just one minute, I will just check one post or make one comment and before you know it an hour if not more has gone by.

So how do you stay focus to write or do any of the hundreds of things that is involved when you are a writer? I have had two people tell me this year already that I am their inspiration and motivation. To be blunt I keep writing or stick to it in comparison to them Their words.Frankly I was surprised when I heard them tell me this.

How do I do it? I normally write my stories by hand the old fashion way with a notebook and smart pen. But still if I do it in front of the TV that can take my mind off it. I know one thing that helps is the WIPs I have. I love and am excited to see how it unfolds. Perhaps your story has stalled. Perhaps writer’s block has reared its ugly head.

What do you want out of your writing? What do you want to accomplish? Maybe write down your goals and hopes for your story and list what you need to do to get to that point. I give myself deadlines that I do my best to stick to.

Finding motivation for anything is not always easy for life always finds ways to interrupt that. But aren’t your characters crying out to you? Mines do.