Do you ever write out of order?

xXFireSpiritXx · Jul 19, 2009

I have found the best way to cure writer's block sometimes is to write out of order.

The past two weeks I have had severe writer's block and decided to shake things up a bit and write different scenes. Does anyone else do this?

thethinker42 · Jul 19, 2009

JasonRobert said:
I have found the best way to cure writer's block sometimes is to write out of order.

The past two weeks I have had severe writer's block and decided to shake things up a bit and write different scenes. Does anyone else do this?

Always.

I never write in sequence. I recently wrote six chapters in a row - chapters 1-6, even! - and that was highly unusual for me. It keeps me motivated early on if I'm writing the scenes that "call" to me...then when I'm down to the scenes I really don't feel like writing, I'm usually within 5-10K of the end, so that motivates me to get through it.

Just today I have written chapters 25, 12, and I'm starting 13. And yes, I wrote them in that order.

cletus · Jul 19, 2009

order sometimes I out write of.

Sometimes I couldn't work out how to get through the next scene, but know what will happen 2 or 3 scenes later and skipped ahead. Also after researching locations and wanting to get the scene written while the location is still fresh in my mind.

Steam&Ink · Jul 19, 2009

My first ms I wrote in order. But it came out pretty facile and desperately needs a rewrite.

Now, in my new ms, I jump to whatever scene I feel passionately about. I guess if you're not feeling the love for a scene, you shouldn't write it just yet.

Having said that, I really need a strong, detailed chapter outline so I can write out of order and not get muddled or create continuity issues.

Kenzie · Jul 19, 2009

Yep. I wrote my ending first. Sometimes scenes yell at me to write them down and they're not in order. I get them down first. I also have snippets all over the place that don't even have a place yet, I guess I will find where they fit as I come to them.

xXFireSpiritXx · Jul 19, 2009

I usually always outline, but for my latest WIP I didn't. The first half went without a hitch because it is lighter and more snarky and witty. But the last half is more serious and once the one-liners were stripped away I was left staring at my MC in a daze.

For the past two weeks I have maybe written a page, screaming her to do something all the while she just gives me the finger. I finally outline the last 11 chapters briefly and things are moving again. I'll cut and paste things back together at the end in the order they shall go in.

Never again will I NOT outline. I have realized why it is needed.

Ruth2 · Jul 19, 2009

Because I had scenes written out of order, I could pick up my WIP three years after I had to stop writing (health reasons) and jump right back in again. I had all these nice scenes that needed to be connected, you see....

scarletpeaches · Jul 19, 2009

I tried this once; went back and inserted some chapters. Turns out, on editing, that they're not needed.

*sigh*

Bye bye, character...

MsGneiss · Jul 19, 2009

First book was written entirely out of order. That worked best, since it was more a collection of scenes. Current one is slightly different, and I spent a lot of time outlining, just so I could write it in order. Still, I skipped a handful of scenes that required some sort of research, as well as two subplots, which I'm going back to right now. It seems like a totally reasonable strategy when you are stuck.

chislarina · Jul 19, 2009

I tried it once or twice, but it's not particularly my style. If I have a total blank for what will happen in a scene, I will skip it and come back to it when I have finished the rest. Unfortunately, I've had to do that too often in my current novella, so I'm a bit worried about that.

If I have to write out of order for any reason, I'll always put one or two sentences in just to remind me what to put back in.

Linda Adams · Jul 19, 2009

Only when I'm in revision. I have to write in order during the first draft, but after things are settled in, then I can pick sections at random or inspiration.

ginnyweasley777 · Jul 19, 2009

Yes, I started off writing in order but now I've had to start writing the final few chapters because I hit a wall. Now I've got chapters everywhere.

TinneyH · Jul 19, 2009

I wrote more or less in order (with a few exceptions), but found I had to be in a particular frame of mind to write the action scenes. So I skipped over those, and then when I went back and filled them in, I found they worked better because I had already written the aftermath, so I could work them around the relevant details, if that makes any sense.

cwfgal · Jul 19, 2009

.gninnur em speek taht torrac eht sa enecs erutuf taht taert daetsni dna noitatpmet eht tsiser I ,tnemom eht ta no m'I tahw naht "nuf" erom tib a meed I gnihtemos etirw dna daeha piks ot detpmet m'I hguoht dna retirw ylredro na m'I .reven hcum ytterP.

hteB

imagoodgurl4 · Jul 19, 2009

Good thread!

I've tried to write out of order and it's so difficult for me. I have wicked OCD so order and alphabetizing are almost necessary for me or I feel like everything's chaotic. I'm going to try and give it another shot, as I'm really passionate about my story, but I can't figure out how to get from one scene to the next, so I'm thinking jumping out of the box a bit might be beneficial to both me and my story.

RunawayScribe · Jul 19, 2009

Never. I write in order. It helps me feel the conflict building and stay in my MC's head, since I'm experiencing things as s/he does.

maestrowork · Jul 19, 2009

Sure. I tend to write in chronological order, though, because I work better than way (since I hardly outline). But I did write the ending of my WIP already, plus I jumped around certain key scenes.

Writing out of order definitely works much better if you have a good outline already.

Emily Arsenault · Jul 19, 2009

Yes--especially when I'm starting a new project. I write the scenes that are clearest in my head. Usually they are scenes that will end up in the middle of the book. Then I go back and work towards those scenes from the beginning and revise them when I reach them.

And if the scene/chapter I'm working on isn't going well, sometimes it helps to skip ahead for a while rather than staring at the screen getting frustrated. Often working on a different section will help give me ideas/clarity for the earlier one that's giving me trouble.

JoshW · Jul 19, 2009

I always write in order for my first draft. If a certain chapter or scene feels uninspiring to me and I feel very excited about the following chapter, I'll often just write the uninspiring one very poorly. I can go back and revise the heck out of it later. It's amazing how many times the "uninspiring" chapter becomes far superior to the "exciting" one after a little revision.

AuburnAssassin · Jul 19, 2009

No because I get bored going sequentially and then lose momentum. It's easier for me to write the more pivotal scenes and then write the transitional prose than to just jog along chronologically. Plus I often discover some interesting new detours when going from point C to point B in the story.

GirlwiththeBraids · Jul 19, 2009

I usually write the beginning scene first and then the ending second. I find it works best to know what you are going to be with the story. But usually, when I actually reach the end, there are more characters, a new twist, or something of the sort.

But then again, it works!

deserata · Jul 19, 2009

I do it all the time.

I learned the hard way that if I wait to write that scene idea, it loses its clarity and vividness when I do get around to writing it...

dnic · Jul 19, 2009

Nope. Serial. If I have to get a scene down, I will scribble some random notes on wordpad to remind myself of the scene (this usually involves a few characters and a music track in particular). But other than that, always in order.

AnonymousWriter · Jul 19, 2009

No, I always write in order. Helps me keep everything straight and "in-check". It's just what works for me.

Loads of people don't write in order though. Whatever works for you.

K. Taylor · Jul 19, 2009

No. Always in order.

Do you ever write out of order?

Killing my darlings...

Abnormal Romance Author

I'm a king bee

sekrit superhero

Killing my darlings...

Tam, na Koncu Drevoreda

Soldier, Storyteller

On the rocks

Attack!

It is what it is.

Fear the Death Ray

Darkly Romantic Curmudgeon

Chillax! It's just me.

writerly painter

Resident Lurker

Bah Humbug