tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post1917635104255427656..comments2024-03-27T10:02:56.747-04:00Comments on Fiction University: What a Concept! Plotting Your Novel Conceptually Janice Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-29454104828274989482018-04-30T10:53:40.316-04:002018-04-30T10:53:40.316-04:00This is how I work -- general to specific. I write...This is how I work -- general to specific. I write romance, which is quite character-driven, so this method helps me gradually fill in the plotting part of the equation.<br /><br />And yes, I've always loved doing jigsaw puzzles!Karenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770486767357201455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-8344834622898657672013-12-03T15:55:37.216-05:002013-12-03T15:55:37.216-05:00No worries, I'm a little late on responding, s...No worries, I'm a little late on responding, so it all works out (grin). Glad it was helpful! I started this blog just for that reason--to make some of these things clearer and easier to understand. Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-64704693962063754832013-11-27T14:57:32.497-05:002013-11-27T14:57:32.497-05:00I know this post is a little over a year old, but ...I know this post is a little over a year old, but I just found it while browsing Yahoo search results for plotting tips. Just wanted to say how much I love it. I've seen a LOT of articles and posts trying to help with story plotting, but most of them just say the same thing and ultimately aren't very helpful. However, this post is the BEST I've ever seen. It's so simple, and yet looks incredibly useful, and I can already see how it would help with the stuff I'm working on. So I just wanted to say thanks for making the clearest, most concise and helpful guide for plotting a novel I've ever seen. :)Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05701963371017623787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-18577137527992860702012-10-16T08:22:23.444-04:002012-10-16T08:22:23.444-04:00Raewyn, most welcome. The mid-point reversal saved...Raewyn, most welcome. The mid-point reversal saved me from middles, so maybe it'll help you. <br /><br />Jami, whee! Glad my weird way of looking at things is helpful. Let me know how the class goes. Love to hear how you apply it.Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-79597181318794189302012-10-15T02:00:37.578-04:002012-10-15T02:00:37.578-04:00I'm late to this post, but I *LOVE* it. In fac...I'm late to this post, but I *LOVE* it. In fact, I'm using this in my "plotting for pantsers" online workshop I'm doing next week. :)<br /><br />This is exactly what I'm trying to get across about how planning in advance doesn't have to equal the kind of outline plotting that kills the muse for pantsers. Instead we can stay at the high-level concepts if we want and only work out the details when we get there. Brilliant!Jami Goldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00957122956518765455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-57793590706782033712012-10-03T20:51:45.998-04:002012-10-03T20:51:45.998-04:00I quite often get a few major plot points and a lo...I quite often get a few major plot points and a loose idea of the end before I start writing, but tend to get a bit lost in the middle. Your clearly described process has given me a concrete way forward. (Much more proactive than hoping for the best).<br /><br />Thanks again for another inspiring post!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15380202410896276712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-29897786143480739072012-09-24T10:01:26.389-04:002012-09-24T10:01:26.389-04:00Natalie, it was certainly freeing while I was plot...Natalie, it was certainly freeing while I was plotting. <br /><br />Carol, hope this helps!<br /><br />Chicory, oh cool! Be great if this clicked for you. I really liked how I was able to think about what I wanted to happen on a macro level without getting bogged down in minutia. <br /><br />Emily, very cool. I still enjoy a certain amount of spontaneity, but a little more structure and direction seems to be working better for me as well. <br /><br />Barmybex, hope it works for you! Sometimes even a little plan can make a big difference and keep you on track. <br /><br />Writer Librarian, great idea! Is it hitting all the structure key points.<br /><br />Tracy, most welcome!Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-33972258685187291882012-09-21T22:31:09.921-04:002012-09-21T22:31:09.921-04:00Another wonderful post I'm filing under "...Another wonderful post I'm filing under "exceptional writing tips". <br />Thanks, Janice. :)Tracy Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11829493307148654507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-38445640609897800112012-09-21T20:10:12.266-04:002012-09-21T20:10:12.266-04:00This can also be useful if the novel is already wr...This can also be useful if the novel is already written--a good barometer to test existing scenes to see which belong and which don't. Perfect timing, and great post, as always. Thanks, Janice!The Writer Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05532839053876490957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-61552953877368114802012-09-21T16:32:20.682-04:002012-09-21T16:32:20.682-04:00I tend to just sit and write and see what comes ou...I tend to just sit and write and see what comes out, when I get part way through and the story is starting to take shape then I sometimes make notes on where I think it's headed. But I always think it would be better is I had a plan before hand. I shall remember this and try to use it. :D Thanks for sharing. barmybexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17675796776481696322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-84823080419854157592012-09-21T16:14:27.206-04:002012-09-21T16:14:27.206-04:00My outlining process is pretty similar to this act...My outlining process is pretty similar to this actually. I headed into my first manuscript with a very strong idea of the general plot arc and where I wanted it to go, but not much detail. In fact, in reviewing my first draft, I came up with a few entirely new threads to weave in. It's not efficient, but it is resulting in a pretty rich story (at least I think so). All things considered, I'm going to be spending more time fleshing out plot prior to drafting on my next WIP.Emily Wenstromhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11648966627549065372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-76046835603293270732012-09-21T15:35:37.904-04:002012-09-21T15:35:37.904-04:00Okay, now I want to try plotting this way. I'...Okay, now I want to try plotting this way. I'm trying to do more outlining just to see if it helps (I've been trying out different writing methods to see which ones work best for me). This is definitely one to play with. And I have the perfect characters-with-no-plot to go with it, too. :)Chicoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16504144663440678542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-52068883725239515342012-09-21T15:32:50.529-04:002012-09-21T15:32:50.529-04:00Thanks for these! I need 'em right NOW. Have 2...Thanks for these! I need 'em right NOW. Have 24 pages written in my WIP and a general roadmap, but I need a more precise journey figured out. :)Carol Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14092209912983783974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-50190516916692237152012-09-21T15:16:13.244-04:002012-09-21T15:16:13.244-04:00These are the major plot points I try to plot out ...These are the major plot points I try to plot out before I start writing too. Great idea to think through what you want to reveal. I'll have to start doing that too.Natalie Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756087804171246660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-20876521791847853032012-09-21T13:11:47.169-04:002012-09-21T13:11:47.169-04:00Shallee, that's great! I tell ya, if you want ...Shallee, that's great! I tell ya, if you want to figure out your process, blog or journal about it :) I've had so many realizations while looking for things to blog about. It changed how I write and how I look at my process. Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-37081885469795225632012-09-21T10:06:12.464-04:002012-09-21T10:06:12.464-04:00Wow. This is pretty much exactly how my plotting p...Wow. This is pretty much exactly how my plotting process goes! I never really thought about it in these terms, though, and it's funny how having you spell it out suddenly gives me a lot more ideas for how to plot my newest book. Thanks for another fabulous post!Shalleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09907680428735740943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-44059251892107222882012-09-21T09:49:07.435-04:002012-09-21T09:49:07.435-04:00Jo, thanks! Glad it was what you needed :) One day...Jo, thanks! Glad it was what you needed :) One day I WILL write Bob's story. I have so much already on the blog, lol. Hmm...if I'm not caught in revisions in Nov, maybe I could do it as a NaNo novel? I've always wanted to do NaNo.<br /><br />Elizabeth, happy to help! Hope your brainstorming goes well and you find your missing pieces. Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-11959361799319844842012-09-21T09:29:08.745-04:002012-09-21T09:29:08.745-04:00As usual, this is exactly what I needed. Yesterday...As usual, this is exactly what I needed. Yesterday I was looking at my outline, that was already plotted conceptually, and trying to figure out how to make those vague ideas into concrete scenes I wanted to write.<br /><br />The tomato analogy is very apt.<br /><br />I'm off to brainstorm! Thanks!Elizabeth Poolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214706118828699708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-83868545999655764922012-09-21T08:40:05.173-04:002012-09-21T08:40:05.173-04:00Great post, as usual. It's what I need right n...Great post, as usual. It's what I need right now, so thanks very much for th food for thought, Janice.<br /><br />So when are you going to write the Bob versus Zombies tome? I'd love to read it.Jo-Ann Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18027989147411624378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-29122615471965552072012-09-21T07:45:25.119-04:002012-09-21T07:45:25.119-04:00R. Mac, it can be, but I've discovered a littl...R. Mac, it can be, but I've discovered a little more work on the front end makes the back end tons easier for me. I've had too many novels that needed major revisions because my general bullet points left so much up in the air. That's awesome that such a simple process works for you. :) Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-5739459424878560772012-09-21T07:35:09.934-04:002012-09-21T07:35:09.934-04:00That sounds like a lot of work, he whines.
My pro...That sounds like a lot of work, he whines.<br /><br />My process is much simpler.<br /><br />I work from what I call plot points...bulleted points representing what you call the inciting event (per chapter)... and don't bother plotting past mid-way...because my characters always hijack the direction of the plot.<br /><br />Those pesky characters.<br /><br />:O)Author R. Mac Wheelerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15679108828353499313noreply@blogger.com