Hello everyone! We apologize for our semi-absence! Talynn and I have been very busy with life the last few weeks, but we’re back now and ready to go.
On today’s WIP Wednesday, I’m curious to know how you all go about starting a new project. Since finishing the first round of revisions on GYRE and now playing the waiting game on a few different levels, I’ve found myself at a standstill. Do I really want to start GYRE’s sequel, or should I start a new project?
I let my ideas run wild, and now have a first chapter to three new stories written with no idea on how to proceed on any of them. When I start a new idea, I either write until I can’t write anymore and then take a step back; or I write a query blurb for it and take notes. Sometimes I’ll make a Pinterest board for it, too. I’ve done all those things, and now I’m stuck!
So, you beautiful readers, how do you proceed after that nugget of an idea is born? How do you keep yourself from getting stuck? Are you a plotter, a pantser, or a hybrid? Share all of your secrets :)
I mull it over in my head for a very long time, expanding on the idea, and letting it play out like a movie. When I think I have a solid story, I make an outline and continue adjusting. When I'm to the point my outline is starting to look like a manuscript, I start writing.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm an over-planner.
Like Alex, the first stages are all in my head, but with random things jotted down so I don't forget them. I'll keeping those thoughts at the forefront and every few days a new thought will be added to them. When I have too many thoughts, I'll start writing.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tackled a manuscript but even with my short writing pieces, I mull it over a lot in my head and get a feel for what I want to say and how I want it to sound before I every start typing.
ReplyDeleteI'm a pantser. I do ensure to make notes so I don't lose the idea though.
ReplyDeleteThe beginning stages are all in my head as well. I ask myself questions and brainstorm while I'm running or walking the dogs and when I have enough to start with I write a semi-outline & beat sheet. I pretty much just figure out my main characters, the hook, plot points, pinch points and mid point and begin writing with Scrivener. When I get stuck i write out all of my scenes on index cards and tape them to butcher paper on my dining room table, but since this doesn't go over well with my family, I've been looking for a better way to be able to visualize my scenes. I recently read a blog post (sorry but I can't remember where so I can't give the author credit), but she had an idea that I am going to try. This writer/blogger writes her scenes on index cards and then she strings them along a clothes line in her hallway with clothes pins. I think this is a really good way to visualize your scenes and still be able to move them around. I'm excited about trying it.
ReplyDeleteI'm a plotter/panster hybrid.
I tend to use NaNoWriMo for my new projects. I write like mad for a month, then I go back and edit, and edit, and edit...
ReplyDelete