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Bonekhan
Do you plot or not?
I'm wondering how many people make plans before starting a story, and why or why not?
Posted at 2007-01-16 18:52:36
Rous Plan? There ain't no plan.

(Bonus points if you can give the movie this quote comes from.)
Posted at 2007-01-16 20:13:13
Gabi_Texi Sometimes I do. Whatever works the best for me. By the way, Rous, where does that quote come from? Can't seem to remember...
Posted at 2007-01-17 17:31:46
HRT For longer stories, I always plot because it's difficult to stay on top of what you're doing in a multichapter work. For short ones, occasionally. The more work you do beforehand the better, because even if you don't use most of what you plot, it still helps clarify your thoughts, and you may end up with useful ideas for another story.
Posted at 2007-01-17 17:49:11
Rous I do agree that plotting may keep you focused. I do not do outlines or actual plotting, and my major fanfic is hovering around 210,000 words. My originals sit at a little over 50,000 and just under the 50,000 I needed for NaNoWriMo this year. So, yeah, I probably would have trimmed them more with plotting. Lesson learned, probably not. LOL

As for the quote, the idea was for you to tell me.
Posted at 2007-01-18 04:01:44
HRT Reels at the thought of doing a 210,000 word story without an outline or a plot

I don't know how you manage.
Posted at 2007-01-18 09:14:15
Rous By the time I get to the end, it will be a VERRRRRYYYYY long story? Seriously, I have never been good with outlines, ask any of my teachers or professors. I write by the seat of my pants. The muses have dragged me down some pretty dark alleys, let me tell you (or not as it is not pretty). I start with a premise, make my characters and run with it. I really do not recommend this method of writing as it tends to get in the way of actually finishing the story. However, to each his own (said the old woman as she kissed the cow).
Posted at 2007-01-18 14:45:00
Neptune I usually make some sort of plan thing... Character bios, a summary of what I think the setup of the story will be, maybe enough of the middle and ending to give me a goal. But after that, I just go for it and see what happens. XD
Posted at 2007-01-19 08:13:18
Bonekhan An answer to my own question (I had to post it in a very short amount of time, hah):

I only plan characters and a general direction of MAJOR plot points (example: a new character is introduced; someone dies; et cetera). Other than that, I don't normally plan much except when I'm writing some longer Originals.

210,000 words? None of my stories usually ever break 1/10 (21,000) words. o_O
Posted at 2007-01-20 12:28:21
Rous "210,000 words? None of my stories usually ever break 1/10 (21,000) words. o_O"

Yeah, if I could actually publish it, it would make the LOTR trilogy look like Cliff Notes. LOL

And that is just one story. I have two more originals at 50,000 and 45,000 and another at 28,000 and I am still working on all four. That does not include the shorter works, drabbles and poetry I find time for. It does keep one busy.
Posted at 2007-02-05 06:06:26

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