You’re right — plotting before hand is very controversial amongst writers. Like you, many others feel plotting is the wrong way to go about attacking a new story, opting instead to let their subconscious make connections where it will.

I’ve tried this myself, and it does often bring up some really amazing things that, admittedly, I would never have thought of on my own! But I found in the long run that my connections, as wonderful as they were, wouldn’t bring me to the best and most logical conclusion that my story required.

What I was trying to get at in this post was that if you finish writing a story and look back at it, what is your impression? What is someone else’s impression? If you look at your story once it’s written and discover it’s plot lacks power, then you might have benefited from planning.

If it works better for you to forget planning and try to draw it all together at the end, then that’s what you should do. There are a lot of great writers who work like that.

Thanks!

This, especially, gave me pause: “Great plots don’t just happen along the way–they should be planned before you ever start writing”

All of my plots happen along the way. I have never sat down and planned out a plot. Once I have a first draft down, that’s when I go back and shape it.

Basically, what I’m trying to say is that your suggestions sound great for “plotters” who can think that way while writing, and as something to pay attention to in revision. I completely agree that all those things need to be done in a good book.

However, to say it has to be done for a first draft… It’s a little condescending to those of us who just cannot let the internal editor/critic in while laying down a draft. I think the guidelines are excellent- just not necessarily for everyone’s *first* draft.

*Please note, I’m not trying to say I think you’re being patronizing or anything like that on purpose, I just know a lot of people – excellent writers – who cannot write a first draft the way you described and felt I should comment that there are others who don’t plot like that initially & still do just fine.

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Cheers!

Ted…

Thanks for your comment. I agree, there are many literary masterpieces which have very little in the way of plot, and yet the mastery lies in the storytelling itself and character development. Another example might be James Joyce’s, ‘The Dubliners,’ which I love.

However, I think these kind of books are best understood through study. Those of us who studied Literature appreciate them because we spent time learning about their historical and social contexts, their themes, the beauty of their language, etc. Anyone who hasn’t had the same training may not have the necessary skills to understand them in the same way.

I’m certainly not advocating anyone go out and write something that’s purely plot-based. I don’t read those kind of books myself.

Thanks!

The problem with plot-based novels is you can say so much without saying a single thing.

Interesting that you’re writing a screenplay. Never tried it myself. Sounds daunting!

@ Justine

You’re quite welcome! Yes, too many words get in the way. I think in high school you learn to make your writing bigger (as in, more words), because you’re always trying to impress your teacher. Then, when you get out into the real world, you spend the rest of your life trying to make your writing smaller, more succinct. A constant battle.

Thanks!

Thank you for your helpful writing tips! I always have get a sick feeling in my stomach when I’m writing. Neurotic? Yes? I tend to think, I’ve used too many words, the syntax is too muddled, I’ve over planned, I’ve underplanned… etc. It’s very helpful to have posts like this, that give solid advice about how to stay focused. It’s staying away from cliches I find the most difficult; how does one avoid creative mediocrity and stagnancy at the same time as exploiting a language where everything has already been said? ;)

I’m glad you found this post useful! I also think it’s great you’ve discovered why you’re not happy with your story at only 3 pages in. What a relief you weren’t 100 pages into it, right?

@Ric

Thanks for your thoughts. Those language and grammar posts do tend to be helpful to all types of writing. A couple of health writers who commented above said they were able to draw useful info from this post, even though it’s about storytelling. It’s amazing how much overlap there can be.

@Barbara Ling

You’re so right. Sometimes you plan to go in one direction, and suddenly you find yourself heading in another. That’s always a welcome surprise. I still feel it’s better to plan where you’re going at first, but with the intention of allowing yourself to stray when inspiration offers a better option. Thanks!