Pantser or Planner?

My ideas notebook!

As I'm sure a lot of you know, Nano is coming up (CLICK HERE TO LEARN) and for a while my story idea was struggling. I actually completely changed what my idea was going to be from the last time I posted a blog post. Speaking of which, my blog posting will get better this next month. It's something I do to distract myself from nano, so expect a lot more updates!

Anyway, I was completely freaking out because I finally got my two main characters in my head, and even some side characters, but I had not yet decided when my conflict was going to be. Last year I had been planning my novel in my head for months, so I was definitely a planner. I knew almost every scene that was going to happen, or some variation of it. I knew what I wanted to happen. This year, it looks like I'm going to be a pantser. 

Now there is an in between the two which is a percolator, I believe that's what they called it, and I guess I could be considered that. The notebook in the picture above has some brief outlines of events I want to happen or could potentially happen. Nothing is definite.

Either way, not being a planner is an extremely scary idea to someone like me! I like to have things planned out! I like to know when something is going to happen and how it's going to happen and I even plan out every ending in my head just so I have some vague idea of all the possibilities. 

But I guess trying out something new will be a good exercise for me. Pushing my boundaries might actually help me grow as a writer, so that's a plus. I'm just worried that by pantsing it, most of it will be crap because it'll be stuff I spewed out just to get word count. I want something to work with by the end of the month.

This fear is struck deep inside me. What do all of you out there do when you write? Do you plan every detail? And if not how do you calm that organization monster inside you?

Spring Break '13

Well hello there fine readers!

Today is a great day. As you have probably already inferred by the picture above, it is great because today marks the day that Spring Break starts for me. The glorious thing about Spring Break for me is not the beach, or drinking, or partying. For me, it means time to relax and work on my writing. Part of the reason for this is because I am working at the front desk of my building over break.

I feel like recently I've been neglecting my work. In fact, I know for sure I have. Sometimes it happens. Being a full time student can take up a lot of time! (As I'm sure being a full time parent and career person can also.) So, when you finally get that break, you just want to jump for joy, am I right!?

This is going to be a short post today because I am very excited to getting back to work and watching my WIP become the best it can!

What are you all planning on doing for your Spring Breaks? And if you aren't in school, how do you find time to work on your WIP's with such a hectic schedule?

Can I Get a Minute?

Short answer? No.

Here's a cool looking clock! Owned by ToniVC

It seems as if writers never have enough time in the day. I have made, what I would like to consider, a close friend through NaNo. Funny thing is, it was after NaNo had ended. We have been talking and one major thing that seems to be reoccurring between the two of us is our complaint of not enough time.

I have talked to other writers, through my classes and what not, and it seems as if this is a problem that stretches across every kind of writer, be it poetry, short story, novelist, etc. It seems as if we want to get writing done, we have to sacrifice something. Sometimes it's relationships, or a social life, sometimes even sleep.

So what is it that writers can do to get more done? I won't give advice, because I've tried it and I don't feel as if I am experienced enough to give out advice. However, what I will do, is put some things down that I do.

Let's say I have a free hour. Instead of watching TV I'll try, and I say try because sometimes TV wins, and write. As long as I get something out, I'm writing. And when I'm really worried about missing TV, I just watch it while on the elliptical at the gym. (I did it this morning, it was great. Dance Academy for the win!)

That's just one thing I try and do; write whenever I can. I'm sure all of you have something that helps you. Share in the comments and let people know what you do, maybe you'll really help someone out!

Writers Block

picture byAlan Cleaver

Now that NaNo is over my writing has, well, died. Okay, so I guess that's a little dramatic. My writing definitely has not died. What it has done, though, is sat down, crossed its arms, and stuck its tongue out at me.

I have gotten some writing done, don't think I haven't done anything. But I've gone from writing every single day, to writing a little bit here and there has been a huge change. It's a sad one that I am trying to get rid of. I have tried relaxing, reading, playing video games, watching TV, all of the above.

NONE OF IT WORKED!

So now I sit here, writing this. (This counts as writing, right?) I think, if I can write a blog post to you people, why can't I wrack my brain to think of something to write in my story? Then it hit me, why I can't keep going, with the help from a NaNo friend actually. I'm so close to the end, and I realized, I'm afraid to finish. This story has been my baby, I've nourished it and cherished it, and now it'll be done.

I know that the book has much more before it is actually complete and ready to be sent out and what not, but the initial writing process is almost done. The first draft I know is complete crap, I mean I forced it out of me so quickly, I know it's not a masterpiece. I'm just sad to see my little ole story growing up! I'm happy that I'm actually doing it also though. It's bittersweet.

I'm sure some of you out there that write understand where I'm coming from! Don't make me sound crazy here all by myself!

Anyway, back to the writers block. I think I'm going to go back to my NaNo style and just force myself through it. Who cares if it's crap, for now. I just need to get out the skeleton of the story now and then later on I can go back and add the rest.

I just need to not let myself get upset if what I write isn't amazing, because I'm 99% sure it won't be.

So trudge though it I shall! Anyone out there have any advice in case this doesn't work?

Out of the Woodwork!

photo bydonkeyhotey

Out and about I am again! I want to apologize for being gone for so long! (It really hasn't been that long, but it sure does feel like it!) I have just gone through finals week, as I am still in college, and man oh man. It wasn't that bad, but it took a lot of my time.

However, now that that is over, I can get back to writing. Fiona, Adler, and Winnie are all sitting, stuck in the same place they have been for over a week, waiting to move on! The good news is, I am almost done with my first draft.

This is a SCARY thought. While it is exciting to think I will have written my first novel all the way through, it means that I'll have written my first novel all the way through. I'm assuming other writers out there understand where I am coming from.

Once I'm done with the first draft comes revisions! I've heard some people love them and I have heard some people hate them. Let's hope I'm one of the ones that loves it!!

Set My Sight On You (What to do Post NaNo)

My favorite mug and writing place!

I talked in my last post about NaNo and what not, today's will be similar, but slightly different. As I sat thinking about NaNo and what it has made me into, a writer that actually writes every single, I wondered what I had in store for myself after NaNo is over. I will no longer have a word count to put in. I will no longer HAVE to write every day to meet a goal.

And then two things hit me.

1.My story isn't even close to being completed. I will have a lot of writing left in front of me once NaNo is over just to finish the skeletal outline I have of my story.
2.I need to keep writing every day. Whether or not it's little ramblings, writing is what I love to do. Just because NaNo is over, doesn't mean that I can just stop now and wait for next year.

Let's start with number one. My story is something that I am deeply attached to. It is a story that had been swimming around in my head that I just couldn't seem to get out. So now that NaNo got me to write out the story, I can't imagine just leaving it behind. (This kind of overlaps with two actually.)

No offense what-so-ever to the NaNo-ers this pertains to. This is only how I feel about my story so if this offends you I'm sorry! I read a lot on the forums and have noticed that a lot of NaNo writers are rewritting their stories this year from last year. I personally can't imagine just abandoning the story I have started for next year. I want to nurse it and help it grow to become the story I think it can be. I don't want to forget about my story until next year, it's just not how I want to go about this.

So as I sit here with my cup of pumpkin tea (surprisingly it's black tea, not orange) and I ponder my life and what is to come, I am hopeful. My story will blossom with time, as long as I give it the time it deserves. Who knows, hopefully one day it will get a book deal. I mean, it is the name of my blog after all and if I never make it to Author, it's all been a shame! ;)

P.S. I know I said in my last blog post that I would be talking about my story and what not and putting in an excerpt, but the motivation to post this overcame me. I then thought about it and decided that to end NaNo I will post all that on the 30th.

P.S.S. This is not just a blog for NaNo, in case you haven't read my earlier blog posts. I will be writing still, it just happens that with NaNo happening this month, it is heavily revolving around it. So make sure you keep coming back for more!

Thanks(?)Giving(!)

awesome creativness goes to martha_chapa95

Every NaNo-er (or any variation you go by) must go through the same thing as every other participant (except those crazy over achievers that are done with their 50k within the first week). The dilemma I refer to is that of Thanksgiving (DUN DUN DUNNNNN!).

Now, whether or not you believe in Thanksgiving for any numerous reasons (something I will not get into on this post), a majority of people spend some time doing something on this day. Another problem is, if you're already behind (like me) this can be a major problem.

I spent about four hours at my grandparents house just thinking about how badly I wanted to write, and how badly I needed to write and how I guilty I felt for not bringing my laptop so I could be working on it. But, then I realized something, you have to give yourself some time off.

I know, you may be screaming at your computer screen just reading that, throwing your microwave hot pockets and your Cheeto's at the screen, but hear me out.

Everyone needs a little time off, even if it's just a few hours. A few hours where you just forget NaNo. A few hours where you just ignore it and have fun and bond with others. So my advice to all of those people out there reading this. If you're constantly torturing yourself over NaNo, thinking about it nonstop, only letting yourself feel guilty for not doing it, just forget it.

You hear me. Drop it! Put down that pen. Turn off that computer. Enjoy that hot pocket and Cheeto's that you may or may not have already wasted by throwing at me. Either way, just enjoy the little moments where you can have a free mind. A mind free of NaNo.

Rough Waters

Photo by Clearly Ambiguous

I've run into a problem. A problem pertaining to NaNo. A problem that could comprise everything!

But let me back track a little. As far as my NaNo is going, I'm doing quite well. I'm on page 40 and I'm about 250 words away from hitting 15,000. When I tried NaNo the first time, when I was in high school, the daunting task of 50,000 words made me crash and burn.

And don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that what I'm writing is the next great American novel or anything, but after the month is over I'll have a nice skeleton to put some meat of a story on. I hope to one day be able to edit this story and have it out there for people to read and enjoy, but for the time being, I'll push out what I can.

Anyway, my dilemma. Oh man, it's a doozy. (Is that even a real word?) Whilst sitting in class yesterday the idea for a story popped into my head. This story I believe could be really awesome if I put some time into it and gave it the tender love and care it needed. But then it hit me. I don't have time to write another story. 

I mean, I guess I technically have time for another story. But, I'm already working on this novel and I'm busy editing my short story for my Creative Writing class.

So the question is. What to do. Do I put the story on the back burners and hope to have the same enthusiasm to write it I have now in a month? I know I'll need some time away from this novel come December, and maybe then will be the time to write this story. I think it'll do quite well as a short story.

Either way, comment if you'd like. Tell me what you think. Tell me what you do when faced with a similar dilemma.

Revisions According to Skaggs

I have a professor who is my all time favorite professor of all time. Her name is Alberta Skaggs and she's an amazing mentor when it comes to my writing. She knows when to help me and when to let me fly freely. So today my post is going to be about revisions and just random thoughts on them.

So I sit here listening to Joe Tex and Sufjan Stevens, drinking peppermint tea staring at my short story that she has marked up and down with her quick scrawl of writing. When I first saw it I wasn't sure what to think. I mean there's a ton of writing on it! But we got to talking and she told me what is wrong, surprise surprise, it's not a short list of things. (It's actually one thing I tend to do over and over again.)

In the past I used to think the best part of writing was getting it out, and when I was really young, I assumed everything that came out of me was good enough to end up next to Hemingway and Steinbeck. I have since realized that, hell no I'm not as good as they are!

Now, I absolutely love revising my stories. (I would highly recommend, if you do not, to let someone read them and tell you what's wrong with them, it helps to have a second pair of eyes.) I sit down and I stare at my story, hoping it'll magically get better. Spoiler alert: it never does. I feel like a lot of writers are either in my mind set of when I was younger, everything's perfect I am awesome, or they get done writing and don't want to edit.

Here's my advice to you, from one unpublished writer to another, to be an author, you need revision.

But if you really work on that story, and you give it the time it deserves, it will get better.

Sorry I'm all over the place again today! If you have any questions, comments, concerns, feel free to blow up this page with your thoughts.

I Put One Foot in Front of the Other One

I know it's two feet, but one has to go before the other! Also, sorry I couldn't think of a better picture!

I'm currently sitting in the conference room of the building that I am a Resident Assistant in trying to get some writing done but I've decided to go ahead and take a break so that I can finally get up my first post on here. Most blogs start out with an opening post about why they are blogging and what not but if you read my header or my about me it's already there.

I love writing. I have for years now and can't remember a time when I wasn't coming up with little stories in my head about what was going on around me, or what I wished was going on around me. Sometimes I've written those stories down, but most of the time they've slipped away from me. I know I'm already a Junior in college (I'm getting old!) but I'm glad that I can finally start to get these words down on paper and out there for people to see.

I'm sorry if this first post doesn't make much sense. I'm feeling kind of all over tonight! But don't worry, my future posts will make more sense.

So let's talk about writing. I'm currently taking place in NaNoWriMo. And for those of you who don't know what that is, it's a challenge for writers to write 50,000 words in November. Guess what, those of you who didn't know what it was, it's only November 6th! That means you can still take place! Click on THIS and you will be taken to their official website where you can meet tons of awesome people. If you want to add me my username is KSavoie. 

Anyway, many writers scoff at NaNo saying it is stupid or it belittles writing but just like Veronica Roth, author of the Divergent series, in her blog (HERE) it's a good tool to get the bare bones of your story out. She even states that on December 1st when your novel is done, you shouldn't send it out. You mull over it, yell at it, cry if need be. NaNo is a tool to outline your story. It's a tool to push writers who normally can't into the world of having a novel. I won't call you an author, because I'm not even an author, authors are published, but you are a writer, we're all writers. If your pencil has hit that paper or your fingers that keyboard, you are a writer. The months after NaNo use to your advantage to polish your work and then you can proudly state I am an author. So if you're like I am, and you need that extra push to get going, join NaNo and get going.

At this point in your writing career, no one it stopping you but yourself.

Anyway, feel free to comment on anything I've discussed. Or comment and let me know what I can improve on in my blog. Share me with your friends. I can be a hoot and a holler sometimes. If you have a blog and would like to guest write on here, or you would like me to guest write on yours, just get in touch and we'll do this. One writer patting another writer's back.

As my character Abigail in my NaNo would say, "We're all humans, we're just trying to help each other out. If we start fighting each other, none of us will survive."