Am I the only weirdo out there that does this?

Aubie · Apr 6, 2010

I'm relatively new to all of this (not to writing, just to the world of being able to talk to other writers), and I was wondering if anybody sits down and does their story telling like I do. It seems that I write the "skeleton" of the story first, meaning the beginning, climax, end, etc, then I go back and add the "meat" (backstory and such). Is this nuts? Or am I semi-normal? :0)

Thanks!

CaroGirl · Apr 6, 2010

Sounds like you have an outline there and, yes, plenty of people outline (write the skeleton) before they add the meat. Pretty normal, I'd say.

Etola · Apr 6, 2010

Hello there, and welcome! *waves*

I personally tend not to do much outlining, so I know I don't write the way you do. But it is a writing method I have seen described before, so I think you can safely assume you're not the only one

There are many different writing methods, so don't worry about being "weird." It is all about the many and colorful ways we create method from madness!

stormie · Apr 6, 2010

The way each writer approaches writing is different. There is no normal. If there were, we couldn't be creative.

The Scip · Apr 6, 2010

There has been lots of outline vs. 'just write' discussion arond here. It sounds like you have a kind of semi-formal outline.

Phaeal · Apr 6, 2010

RookieRy said:
Is this nuts? Or am I semi-normal? :0)

The modus operandi may be interesting, but it's ultimately unimportant*. If the finished work is good, that's game, set, match.

Besides, why would you want to be normal?

* Unless your modus operandi slows you down when you have a deadline in two weeks. But even then, it may be the only one that really works for you.

JayG · Apr 6, 2010

What you're saying is that you like to have the road-map before you go on the trip. Lots of people do. Some like to have the story come to them "out of the mist," so to speak, though.

Do you make a list of the various character's characteristics? Lots of writers do that (or build it as they write, to keep track of how the character will react in a given situation).

In fact, when asked, most of the successful multi-pubs said they plotted first. So you're in good company.

Lydia Sharp · Apr 6, 2010

I recently started using a screenwriters' beat sheet. It's like an outline, but not quite as detailed. It highlights the main plot and major turning points, and leaves you quite a bit of wiggle room. I'm in between a pantser and a plotter, as far as the writing process goes, so it's been an effective tool for me when starting new projects.

Aubie · Apr 6, 2010

Thanks guys! I feel a little better about it now. :0)

Shadow_Ferret · Apr 6, 2010

That's how I write, but I refuse to call it an outline. It's a skeleton. A 60,000 word skeleton.

Etola · Apr 6, 2010

Lydia Sharp said:
I'm in between a pantser and a plotter

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "pantser," but it conjures up one heck of an image of the writing 'process'

Cathy C · Apr 6, 2010

I do it in my head, but not on paper. I fill in the blanks in my mind by staring at the wall for hours and then write it all down. But yeah, it's a skeleton in my mind first.

My co-author does exactly what you do. Her first draft is, like, 50K and then fleshes out over several edits to become 100K. I can't even read it at the 50K stage. Makes me crazy because there's so much missing.

So, no. You're not alone!

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "pantser," but it conjures up one heck of an image of the writing 'process'

A "pantser" is also called an "organic writer". It's an abbreviation of "seat of your pants." It means to sit down to write without a single clue WHAT you're going to write until the words start to flow. The creation process happens while you type (or write longhand). Some writers can do nothing else. To plot would be to kill the story.

CaroGirl · Apr 6, 2010

Etola said:
I'm not quite sure what you mean by "pantser," but it conjures up one heck of an image of the writing 'process'

Cathy said it! It's a thing. I know because I'm a pantser myself.

Aubie · Apr 6, 2010

Okay, I do that too. I didn't know there was a name for it!

You learn all kinds of neat stuff at this place. Me likes it :0)

Etola · Apr 6, 2010

Ah, okay! That makes sense

I am a bit of a pantser myself; I only start plotting if I get lost halfway through and need to figure out where I'm going.

Margarita Skies · Apr 6, 2010

I used to write my stories that way 4 years ago, now I just write it as each scene comes to my mind. Not sure if anyone understood me, though. Everyone has their own way to write their novel and I don't think there's an incorrect way to write a novel, so do what's easier and feels better to you.

ebennet68 · Apr 6, 2010

I usually have a mental outline or skeleton, not on paper. Sometimes when I do that I lose the story and sometimes I don't. In the end it all turns out well. How? I don't know, it's a mystery. (Think Shakespeare in Love)

Ms Hollands · Apr 7, 2010

How on earth does that make you a weirdo?

Caitlin Black · Apr 7, 2010

Sssh, we're supposed to WANT to be weirdos...

Wait, this ISN'T a hazing? WTF? I was lied to!

*stomps off, misunderstood again*

shaldna · Apr 7, 2010

As the only normal person on this board I can tell you that by standards here you are on the more normal side of the line.

seun · Apr 7, 2010

shaldna said:
As the only normal person on this board

You lie. I'm the only normal person here woops kerplunk pffft hey nonny no where's my emu?

As for the OP, there's nowt wrong with doing it that way at all.

elissa · Apr 7, 2010

I keep intending to write a skeleton and go back later and make it an actual draft, and sometimes I even outline all the scenes in the book--only to have it all change as soon as I start writing the scene. Write whatever way it works. And sometimes different things work for different stories, at least for me.

LynnKHollander · Apr 7, 2010

"I'm relatively new to all of this (not to writing, just to the world of being able to talk to other writers), and I was wondering if anybody sits down and does their story telling like I do. It seems that I write the "skeleton" of the story first, meaning the beginning, climax, end, etc, then I go back and add the "meat" (backstory and such). Is this nuts? Or am I semi-normal?" ~~Sounds reasonable to me. In fact,you're more organized than I am. I rewrite as I go, so some parts are smoother than other parts. Getting everything even may take me longer than the rough draft/final draft process because I'm doing everything at once.

JayG · Apr 7, 2010

• I'm not quite sure what you mean by "pantser," but it conjures up one heck of an image of the writing 'process'

Comes from the expression to drive by the seat of your pants.

But I like the title Misty better, because misties tend to just write, and let the story come at them “from out of the mist.” Heinlein claimed to do that—just put interesting characters with conflicting goals together, and let them take care of the story.

Actually, I suspect that those who practice that approach fall into the category of people who can hold the entire story in their heads, at once, and so can analyze each new development in terms of everything that went before, or is expected in the future. Such people can, without thought, know where to jump back to in order to add or change foreshadowing, as needed. So, they don’t hard-plot simply because they don’t have to.

One disadvantage of being a misty is that it’s easy to write yourself into a corner. The advantage is that if there’s a way out of a dilemma, your character will suggest it to you, making the twists and turns more spontaneous, and interesting.

Aubie · Apr 7, 2010

shaldna said:
As the only normal person on this board I can tell you that by standards here you are on the more normal side of the line.

I don't know about that...sometimes I really wonder about myself, LOL

Am I the only weirdo out there that does this?

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