In the October 2012 Writer's Digest the editor, Jessica Strawser, asked Patricia Cornwell if she uses an outline when she writes. Ms. Cornwell explained that she's an "organic" writer. I was thrilled. I'm no longer a-seat-of-the-pants writer, I'm an organic writer. Yippee! You may be thinking, so what? Here's what:
2) I've never liked the term seat-of-the-pants writer. It's so unattractive. Organic is lovely. A definition of Organic at dictionary.com is "developing naturally." I develop my story naturally. Synonyms include the words: inherent, fundamental, basic.
3) Creativity is organic. It's imagination at work. It's chasing rainbows, blowing bubbles, and throwing confetti.
If you are attending ACFW this year I noticed an interesting workshop.
Rene Gutteridge and Susan Meissner titled, Special Ops:
Outliners & Pantsters Combine Forces
But don't despair if you can't make it to conference this year. You'll be able to order the CD's the Monday after conference ends. So go ahead and look at what's being presented this year and plan to enjoy it whenever you can via audio. I can't make it to conference so you can bet I'll be ordering the MP3 so I can listen to the entire event. Next year though I WILL be in Indianapolis.
So what about you? Have you found the perfect balance in your own search to write great stories? Organic? or Out-liner?
Love, love, love this! Just what I needed to hear as I come creeping out from under months of moving and new grandbaby and NOT getting any writing done. Now I can look at those partially finished stories and stop thinking about my butt. : ) Here's to organic writing!
ReplyDeleteWow Niki!
ReplyDeleteYou've been busy! Congratulations on the new grandbaby. Those of us who are organic writer's can hold our heads high and work toward becoming the best organic writer's we can be. So glad you love the post. I really enjoyed this one. If you get a chance pick up a copy of the October magazine. I really think you'll enjoy it.
I know this may not be real exciting to some of you but Jones House Creative just worked on my blog so I now have threaded comments and we can talk to each and share things in a nicer format. THANK YOU JONES HOUSE CREATIVE! I'd be lost without you. This is going to be so much better. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI'm an outliner for research - lots of notebooks, files, tabs and so forth, but when it comes to writing the novel, I know my characters and I know how the story begins and ends. The rest of it is purely organic - love that definition!
ReplyDeleteHi Sue,
DeleteYou are organized! I can't say that my research is outlined. :) I'm hoping to explore with Scrivener http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php
one of these days. I did buy it and this might be good timing since I'm finishing up book three.
I'm one of those who isn't bothered at all by the "seat of the pants" label. In fact, I rather like it - as I tell people I FLY by the seat of my pants when I write. Has a free feel for me. I don't outline anything. I do only preliminary, and very basic, research prior to writing. Most of my research is done "on the fly" as I write and know what details I need for my story.
ReplyDeleteI suspect whatever label you slap on a writer, someone is going to disagree or be offended. For me, because of some of my own background, calling "pantsers" "organic" implies "plotters" aren't "natural" in their process and could ruffle some feathers on that side of the equation.
I guess we each have to just figure out what works for us and go with it. Hm. Sounds like the writing itself. *G*
Oh goodie. I love to hear others opinions about the terminology. Plotters aren't natural. Hmm. Okay. :) I rarely ruffle feathers, maybe it's time. The opposite of organic or natural would be inorganic or artificial? Right? When you think about process, plotting isn't really natural.
DeleteI tried plotting/outlining. Certainly didn't feel natural to me. Felt like cutting against the grain actually. Ick! But those who thrive in that mode may feel differently. It would be interesting to see what someone who works that way would think of the "organic" thing. :-)
DeleteDawn,
DeleteHopefully, more will weigh in on this. I find it fascinating. I know that writing organically takes me longer not only while writing the story but revisions are scary to say the least. I don't want to give that up, but that may mean I'm going to have less quantity. In this day that might not be too great.
Wow, how wonderful. I have been a SOTP writer, but over the years found that I need to incorporated some...I don't really like the word "outline", but more thought into my story before diving in. I'll be sure to get the CD when it's out.
ReplyDeleteHow fun to get thoughts about this. Maybe we can revisit this after we listen to the CD or maybe I'll ask the Susan and Rene to come discuss this issue and we can all wrestle with it. Outline is just too stringent for me.
DeleteJill, that is a much nicer term! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm more of what I call a planner. I do a lot of work before writing. Then I plan about 3 scenes and start writing. I plan 3 more, then write some more.
That's different, Missy. I couldn't do that but I bet it might work well for many. I do a lot of thinking before writing. It's always in my head but not necessarily on paper.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to be more of a plotter simply because the revisions for an organic writer like myself can be so extensive! But honestly, it isn't working too well. I'm an organic writer and somehow I just need to make that work.
ReplyDeleteHa, Anne. I tried too! It must have something to do with our brains ability to process information a specific way. I know we can all learn to dot things differently but I'm not convinced that's best for us individually. I have no idea if that makes sense. :) Thanks for weighing in.
DeleteHey, Jill! I'm not really sure what I am, but I'm definitely not an outliner or plotter. I'm more of an organic writer, as you describe it. I like to have a basic story and characters in my head before I start writing. But I hate writing down anything plot-wise, and I hate writing a synopsis! But sometimes I have to, when I'm proposing a new book or series. You want a paragraph about what the story's about? Sure, that's no problem. You want a 3-5 page synopsis? That's a problem. I can do it, but it actually makes it harder for me to write the book. I don't know why, exactly.
ReplyDeleteHa, Ha! Melanie! I'm working on that 3-5 page synopsis now too. What fun! NOT. :)Seems like we have a common thread going here. I think I might get more done and be much faster if I did plot, but that would paralyze me. And as you said, I don't know why either.
ReplyDeleteExactly! It's like, if I have a synopsis I feel paralyzed. I try to follow the synopsis and it blocks me. But once I get about halfway through the book, it usually goes better, because by that time I realize I've veered away from the synopsis and by then I've built some momentum and I know where I'm going, sort of. Okay, I know that doesn't make sense, but it makes sense in my head. Ha!
ReplyDeleteOrganic is a lot nicer sounding than SOTP! As for me, I would say plotting is not as easy for me as other aspects of writing, so I definitely need a skeleton in place to keep me in line.
ReplyDeleteI'm writing a synopsis now, ugh I hate them. But since I'm not pubbed, I can go back and change my syno when I've changed my story, LOL.
Hi Susie,
DeleteWhen you said skeleton I remembered Angie Hunt's plot skeleton which was fun. It didn't seem too intimidating but I can't remember how to use it at the moment. May have to revisit that one. I like playing with different ideas a lot; maybe too much. One of the things I've done in the past is concept mapping which to me becomes overwhelming, like plotting. http://users.edte.utwente.nl/lanzing/cm_home.htm
Maybe this will appeal to some of the plotters more than the organics, but I think both styles can find something useful here.
Hey, Jill, FUN topic!!!
ReplyDeleteI am definitely "organic," although I have never objected to the term "seat of the pantster" because for me, it's actually pretty apt. I always feel like I'm flying through the air, not quite sure where I'm going to land on my feet with my stories even though I do a loose outline/synopsis ahead of time! But loosey-goosey works well for me. :)
Hugs,
Julie
Julie!
DeleteIt might be interesting to find out just how loosey-goosey we all are with our writing. But then again that might be way scary. :)You write long novels, so I'm surprised you're so much of an organic. I loved this: "I always feel like I'm flying through the air, not quite sure where I'm going to land on my feet with my stories . . ." Thanks for joining the conversation. I think I'll have to eventually do a post that explores the organics synopsis. That should be fun!
I'm in the middle I guess. I don't do detailed outlines and not seat of the pants either. I have found the value in writing a good plot synopsis (as much as I hate to admit it!!) to at least keep the direction of the novel on track but allow for those little surprises along the way.
ReplyDeleteJillian, I will miss getting to see you at ACFW this year.
Jordyn,
ReplyDeleteI'm going to miss seeing you at ACFW too this year. I hate to miss conference but I'm thrilled I'll get to attend James Scott Bell's seminar in Cincy next weekend. That helps lessen the sting of missing ACFW. I still struggle with that plot synopsis. I may have to pick your brain about that soon.
Oh I am big on outlining however I just started a project without an outline! First time I've done this successfully. So far it's been fun just to write!
ReplyDeleteI will be attending ACFW this year. Can't wait to learn new things!!
Ruth!
ReplyDeleteI'm so bummed that I won't get to meet you in person at ACFW this year. You will have an incredible time. Just soak it up and meet all the folks you can. I think it's a riot that you're an outliner and you started a project without one. I want to hear how that turns out.
I'm a blended writer, Jillian ... organic and linear. I like to know where I'm going, but give myself, or rather my characters, room to roam. Writing with my hubby requires a more linear approach so we can agree on the basics of the story. When the characters do something unexpected, or the story grows in a different direction, we have to come to an agreement on it. Even if it's just me writing, I like to know where the plot is headed. Sort of like the hero and heroine butt heads and stuff happens. The stuff can be organic.
ReplyDeleteCatherine Hershberger, writing as Catherine Castle and C.D. Hersh
I'm starting to enjoy these different words. Blended, linear, organic. :)
ReplyDelete