So, no, I'm not running around bare-ass, though it's certainly hot enough to warrant such exhibitionist behavior. But if you're a writer, you know the terms 'pantser' and 'plotter'. While I've tried both writing techniques, I'm a total pantser. I can plot out my story to my heart's content, but the end story never even remotely resembles the plot I so painstakingly crafted. For me, it's a waste of time.
No, I write by the seat of my pants, letting the story and character take me on the ride with them. The problem with this approach, I find, is sometimes I lose my pants. Or should I say, the threads of my story. As I get deeper into the story, I forget what I've written, what people have said or done, whether certain secrets have been hinted at or revealed, and I have to search through what I've written to find some of those threads. Another waste of time.
But there is a solution to this problem. Out comes the white board!
No, I write by the seat of my pants, letting the story and character take me on the ride with them. The problem with this approach, I find, is sometimes I lose my pants. Or should I say, the threads of my story. As I get deeper into the story, I forget what I've written, what people have said or done, whether certain secrets have been hinted at or revealed, and I have to search through what I've written to find some of those threads. Another waste of time.
But there is a solution to this problem. Out comes the white board!
Instead of plotting what's to come like the ghost of Christmas future, I prefer the ghost of Christmas past, plotting out what's already happened. An easy reference for me as I continue writing to see what I've already written. I color-code different sub-plots, so all the threads can be found and then neatly tied together at the end.
Now, if I can only decipher my own hand writing ...
Now, if I can only decipher my own hand writing ...