tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post5080135839097039553..comments2024-03-29T04:41:13.129-06:00Comments on Author Elana Johnson: Throwing Up That First DraftElana Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-38655173963225410482010-04-27T13:51:47.240-06:002010-04-27T13:51:47.240-06:00I'm an outliner and it's taking me longer ...I'm an outliner and it's taking me longer than it should. Maybe I should just start pantsing everything? yeah, like anyone wants to see that! ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-12525504177761297312010-04-26T18:40:23.979-06:002010-04-26T18:40:23.979-06:00I outline and then expand my outline into a synops...I outline and then expand my outline into a synopsis and then expand the synopsis into a basic story and then flesh it out. There is no good writing, only rewriting...but the bones of my story have to be there from the beginning.<br /><br />Even in my current project, which is more character based than event based, the bones have to be there.Jennifer @ Fruit of My Handshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11479983078312955832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-79102738297085237742010-04-24T05:54:02.316-06:002010-04-24T05:54:02.316-06:00I feel the exact same way about first drafts. Mine...I feel the exact same way about first drafts. Mine are all crap. I, too, am a better rewriter than writer, and I always get so excited about reaching the final page so I can start over from the beginning and get the REAL writing done.<br /><br />- KristenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-69141908077117280422010-04-22T22:56:31.785-06:002010-04-22T22:56:31.785-06:00Vomit aside, you are a fastidious housecleaner com...Vomit aside, you are a fastidious housecleaner compared with my writing style. <br />I could particularly do with a little order in the revising department and so, I'm hoping you'll post more on your self-editing and revision process to inspire the lackwits such as myself.Faith Prayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09711135740295281493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-84331481566244402632010-04-22T14:20:37.993-06:002010-04-22T14:20:37.993-06:00It's Organic for me - green vomit!It's Organic for me - green vomit!Karen Baldwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-84954748889252868602010-04-22T14:18:19.512-06:002010-04-22T14:18:19.512-06:00I've tried both ways -- pantser and plotter. N...I've tried both ways -- pantser and plotter. No matter what way I got, I always hit a wall. A place where my vomit dries up, I refuse to drink anymore gatorade, I lie still just waiting for the nasuea to subside. I seem to have trouble moving onto phase two... Oh, the dreaded middle.<br /><br />The middle is like the desert. No gatorade, no vomit, no anything-- just the far off glimpse of a mirage ont he horizon. A little glimpse of the end, but no idead how to struggle towards it.<br /><br />And one more time for good measure: VOMIT (I am enjoying this metaphor immensely).Emily J. Griffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05065829576152766163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-20783859424930361182010-04-22T13:39:01.704-06:002010-04-22T13:39:01.704-06:00I'm a plotter! I make a loose outline and it d...I'm a plotter! I make a loose outline and it does change as I write my story. I just need something there to help me avoid holes or getting stuck. I like having general idea of where my story is headed and how it will end.<br /><br />Good idea writing a synopsis before the novel is finished. I don't do that, and I probably should. Thanks for the tip!Laura S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13934230198562773803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-34882851574104450152010-04-22T12:49:08.703-06:002010-04-22T12:49:08.703-06:00I write a paragraph about what roughly happens in ...I write a paragraph about what roughly happens in the book.<br /><br />Then I outline it by 'scenes' and type a little blurb about what I'd like to see in each scene in order to get from point A to point B. Sometimes I mix scenes around. <br /><br />Like you, I find myself changing notes or scenes as a write and the thing just takes on a life of its own! I find the outline helps me stay focused though. And I love crossing out scenes as I write them! lol.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-9261639597265707012010-04-22T08:14:16.569-06:002010-04-22T08:14:16.569-06:00How did I miss this post yesterday? I swear I chec...How did I miss this post yesterday? I swear I checked your blog.<br /><br />I'm half and half. I know bear bones before I begin but few if any details. Must have names, but they often change.<br /><br />First draft helps me learn about the characters. Plot flows all over the place.<br /><br />Second draft is to rein in the plot, add finer details, learn more about the characters.<br /><br />Third draft is when the work really begins.Carol Kilgorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15168273312704732896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-36716355533306335962010-04-22T07:17:33.424-06:002010-04-22T07:17:33.424-06:00I knew I liked you for some reason. I am exactly ...I knew I liked you for some reason. I am exactly the same way. <br /><br />It drives a couple of my crit partners NUTS. <br /><br />I seriously will wake up one morning with an idea and start typing. No outline, no nothing. The only constructive thing I do is a little mind map. <br /><br />My characters name, if I know then while I'm writing, is in the middle with lines shooting out everywhere that have little ideas on them. <br /><br />But that's about it. LOL. <br /><br />It's the MOST fun. I LOVE writing that first draft. No worries about grammar, sentence structure, nothing. <br /><br />I mean, I have, he said, like, five thousand times in that first draft. LOL. <br /><br />Anyway...great topic. It's fun to meet other pantstersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-84826804138147816492010-04-22T06:26:03.934-06:002010-04-22T06:26:03.934-06:00Working up the urge to vomit (words) right now. Do...Working up the urge to vomit (words) right now. Does this make us bulimic?Blooming Eventuallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351203218376878845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-31050949368026252902010-04-22T05:52:52.881-06:002010-04-22T05:52:52.881-06:00You crack me up. There is no way I can write on th...You crack me up. There is no way I can write on the spur. I suppose I'm just too organized. You can thank my kids for that one. Or maybe it's because I'm a teacher and I force my students to outline, brainstorm and all that good stuff so I self inflict the same things on myself!Christina Farleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-17331649202886804652010-04-22T05:52:51.290-06:002010-04-22T05:52:51.290-06:00You crack me up. There is no way I can write on th...You crack me up. There is no way I can write on the spur. I suppose I'm just too organized. You can thank my kids for that one. Or maybe it's because I'm a teacher and I force my students to outline, brainstorm and all that good stuff so I self inflict the same things on myself!Christina Farleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-64943400334478997172010-04-22T04:13:20.690-06:002010-04-22T04:13:20.690-06:00Thanks for sharing this. I work in a similar way m...Thanks for sharing this. I work in a similar way myself, so I'm glad to know I'm not the only one.Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08507037483019197630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-83553872184752248022010-04-21T21:54:47.888-06:002010-04-21T21:54:47.888-06:00Almost forgot, I talked to high school students ab...Almost forgot, I talked to high school students about the writing process today for a career day event, and mentioned the vomit-first-draft method. I hope they realized I didn't mean literally! :)Roxane B. Salonenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01459456545891720716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-65369199025361586042010-04-21T21:53:43.539-06:002010-04-21T21:53:43.539-06:00Elana, I haven't figured it out yet. I've ...Elana, I haven't figured it out yet. I've written several picture books (two published) and a memoir (looking for home) but now that I'm getting ready to write a YA novel, I'm realizing I'm really just discovering my process, because each genre seems to require a different approach. I'm going to save this one, because I suspect, for better or worse, I'm more "organic" in my approach. And, truth be told, hearing your process was a huge relief to me. I have to have some organization, but an elaborate outline doesn't really work for me. Or, at least, thinking about an elaborate outline stifles me. So, I think there's my answer. Thanks for the inspiration!Roxane B. Salonenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01459456545891720716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-84552441754846371152010-04-21T21:37:41.719-06:002010-04-21T21:37:41.719-06:00I pantsed the first two--does that make me a pants...I pantsed the first two--does that make me a pantsie? I'm trying the outline thing for Novel 3, just to be different. We'll see how it goes.KAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01492662417610004495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-1592699234544858142010-04-21T21:06:06.109-06:002010-04-21T21:06:06.109-06:00I'm kind of a "reformed pantser". I ...I'm kind of a "reformed pantser". I don't want to live in revision land very long with my stories, which means I need cleaner first drafts. So before I start writing, I write out a synopsis, and a scene outline (one sentence per scene) as a guide. Then I promptly ignore the outline and start writing...enough is fixed in my head by then that I can keep on a general track, but "pants" my way through the story for the most part. <br /><br />It's been working pretty good, really - and the drafts I'm doing that way are far less messy than the one I'm revising at the moment. :-)Jamie D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05486427517423813962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-71609931089721295252010-04-21T20:01:51.784-06:002010-04-21T20:01:51.784-06:00So awesome to see how other people write. My wip ...So awesome to see how other people write. My wip started as a short story - that became basically chapters 3 & 4 of the novel. I've used basic versions of snowflake, and character outlines, but for the most part, just write the story. Pantser, here.<br /><br />Thanks, Elana!Kristine Asselinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18257286523945921891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-61231773805210562402010-04-21T19:54:48.074-06:002010-04-21T19:54:48.074-06:00You are so right! The first draft, especially at t...You are so right! The first draft, especially at the beginning of your writing year is basically regurgitating everything that's gone through your head relating to the plot, craft and sometimes a need to dazzle everyone with how verbose you can be.<br /><br />I have totally been there. I used to be a pantser but I HAD to change my ways. While I appreciate the value of rewriting, I hate its guts. So I plan. I research, write character charts, then make a chapter by chapter outline before I begin writing the novel.Cindy R. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13488732331021750408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-5467592585526064332010-04-21T19:40:24.347-06:002010-04-21T19:40:24.347-06:00I'm a card carrying member of the Outlining Wr...I'm a card carrying member of the Outlining Writers of America! :)DL Hammonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02007260062331783715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-53456943537741528572010-04-21T19:33:07.106-06:002010-04-21T19:33:07.106-06:00I'm pretty much like you except I usually have...I'm pretty much like you except I usually have the characters more fully-formed (in my head). By the time I've started writing, I've heard conversations between the MCs and I definitely pick a name. Names are a big deal to me.Sarah N Fiskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15336889385096937607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-15159678683428502292010-04-21T18:51:07.594-06:002010-04-21T18:51:07.594-06:00I control nothing; it comes to me as I compose... ...I control nothing; it comes to me as I compose... no notes, no outlines, and no pre-designs.<br /><br />I write when I am inspired or find the time to set down. I am at 76k word on my first draft and it has taken me 1 year. <br />I could do a draft in 3 months, now, but before I realize I needed to rewrite it many times until I found the path the story was looking for.Jeff Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00667419764890599092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-87398986682002646572010-04-21T18:35:42.263-06:002010-04-21T18:35:42.263-06:00I'm a total pantser. I know the beginning, and...I'm a total pantser. I know the beginning, and I know the end. The middle chapters are begun when I go 'oh, I could have them do this...' and string it all together with a recurring plot line. Each chapter is different from the last, with new obstacles, at least one resolved for closure, but new issues popping up to keep it exciting. I don't know what's going to happen until I start typing. It's like channeling in a way, only I don't get paid the big bucks like John Edwards.Christi Goddardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08590491851753709622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-16541616156468645422010-04-21T18:17:44.022-06:002010-04-21T18:17:44.022-06:00I tend to start with an ending image - I feel the ...I tend to start with an ending image - I feel the emotion of the climax scene first and then the MC bursts on the scene. I let that all filter around in my subconscious for a few days/weeks. I don't actively think about it. Then I sit down and write.<br /><br />Fun post :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.com