In writing book 3 of my Her Inheritance trilogy, I learned how NOT to write a book…at least for me. Hat’s off to pantsers because I think my recent experience comes pretty close to writing by the seat of my pants.
How NOT to Write a Book
- DO NOT change your plot after you’ve already written 20,000 to 30,000 words.
I had every intention of publishing Embracing Her Inheritance last year. But the words and ideas just weren’t there. During NaNoWriMo, I took a deep dive on my plot and realized it was all wrong. Hey, the plot will talk back to you just like your characters do. Once I determined the plot that wanted to be told, I had to go back and rework or delete what I’d already written.
- DO NOT make romance the primary genre of your book when you really don’t like writing romance.
Yes, I admit it, I like to watch those Hallmark romance movies and I even read a book with romance as a secondary plot line. But after awhile it all seems too cheesy and unrealistic. Writing romance is very formulaic, and I don’t like writing to a formula. The first line on my website for readers is “Tired of Predictable Mundane Stories?” For me, romance is as predictable as it gets. But my fans wanted to know what was going to happen between Sally and Chase, and I wanted to give them an answer.
- DO NOT forget important plot points that need resolved before the end of the book.
Often, you discover these holes during one of your first edits. I’m a writer who edits what I wrote the day prior, before I start writing anything new. When I’m done with the whole story, I print out my manuscript and then read it for plot holes, character development, showing versus telling, and more. It gets more than one read during this stage of editing. However, as I wrote this story, I found myself constantly having to go back and work in points I’d forgotten that were critical to later in the story.
Writing Process
I normally outline the major scenes of my story before I start writing. I didn’t do that with this book, and for me, that was a huge mistake. That’s one of the differences between plotters and pantsers. Plotters put it down on paper, butI honestly believe that pantsers have plot and character development in their heads that guide them as they write (pantsers, feel free to comment below on the truth of that).
Overall, this book was the most difficult book I’ve written. And as I write this post I’m making my first plot point revisions. Another read-through awaits me. Look for it to release later this year.
We all have a process that works for us individually. I encourage you to find it, if you haven’t already, and then stick with it as you write each subsequent book. Otherwise, you might be setting yourself up for trouble like I did.
Are you a plotter or a pantser? Put your answer in the comments below.
Debra, would you please send today’s Progress Pod link to the new email address, given below. My comcast.net address is not working. Thanks.
My Reverend G trilogy was pantster writing, but I did know the very last section of the very last book. I just had to find my way there. However, every novel I’ve written since Rev G – has been plotted out – with gaps to allow for creative changes.
RJ, I never would have suspected that was they way you wrote the Rev G series! Gaps to allow for creative changes. I like that. I probably don’t allow gaps, but when a new idea presents itself, I analyze it and work it in if it fits the story or character in some way.
The first three novels I have already published were well plotted, but as for my fourth book manuscript, the ideas came in in a scattered manner. For instance, I wrote the final chapter before even writing the first and second chapters. Then something wonderful happened. More sceenes appeared in my brain which I jotted down fast. In the end, what I did was the sequences. And that was marvelous. That be the case, I would like to know how many writers write like I do.
Kpesse, that’s cool how your latest book came together! I often write scenes out of order versus from beginning to end. The writing process is different for everybody. It all comes down to what works for the individual writer.
Haha. But you got it done, so good for you. Looking forward to reading it. Yes, I am a pantser and I agree with you that I have a general plot-outline always present in my head. But there is one thing that I have experienced with virtually all my books and that beats plotting for me every time and that is the element of surprise for me as a writer. While I have a basic idea, most every time, somewhere halfway the book a plot-turn shows up, an idea, which is so inspiring that it makes me sings and laugh for joy. To me, writing is like the making of a puzzle and suddenly a puzzle piece shows up through which the whole story makes sense, becomes much deeper, and is so much fun to write. That’s why I can’t be a plotter in the strict sense of the word. Outlining the whole thing before I undertake the journey is like having to make a long voyage tied up in a straight-jacket. But that’s just me, and I must admit, there have been times when I was clueless as to how to get myself out of the corner I got myself into. But, honestly, I never got stuck for ever. There always came that magical moment of joy when the curtain opened and the road became clear again. In any case, I always enjoy your good posts and your advice is like yet another building block to streengthen my writer’s house. Thanks and cheers.
JK, you gave such a great analogy with the puzzle. I’m not a strict plotter either. I consider myself halfway between pantser and plotter. I love that the plot-turn or puzzle piece shows up for you every time. I’ve had moments like that. I’m looking forward to reading your next book!