Plotter enjoyment

[Juliana]

I think it's about walking that thin line between having the direction but not the road map.

I used to be an obsessive plotter, now I'm more of what I call a 'connect-the-dots' person - pretty much what a few of you (like Phyre) have said above. I map out key plot points (the 'dots') but leave the in-between bits pretty loose so I can go off-road as much as I want. Of course, some scenes - like action sequences - need step-by-step plotting, but they're so fun to write that I find that doesn't spoil it for me at all.

 

[The Big Peat]

I used to be an obsessive plotter, now I'm more of what I call a 'connect-the-dots' person - pretty much what a few of you (like Phyre) have said above. I map out key plot points (the 'dots') but leave the in-between bits pretty loose so I can go off-road as much as I want. Of course, some scenes - like action sequences - need step-by-step plotting, but they're so fun to write that I find that doesn't spoil it for me at all.

Where as I find I do action scenes best by writing them, then looking back and making a plan based around the best parts I put there. And end up hating them and want to go back and do the big dramatic conversations, which I find often require more plotting than the action.

 

[SciFrac]

the big dramatic conversations, which I find often require more plotting than the action.

Agreed. Some conversations can require fairly extensive plotting as well.

 

[sknox]

I agree with SciFrac and others that there are different kinds of outlining. The kind implied in the OP was story plot outlining. Acts I, II and III sort of thing. But I have resorted to outlines at any number of points. Conversely, the outline I have for my WIP went out the window in the first draft. I'll soon be making another sort of outline--the kind that outlines what I actually wrote. That, too, is a worthwhile (for me, necessary) activity.

None of these affect the drudgery (er, joy) of writing scenes. There, I'm down at the sentence level, writing descriptions and reactions and movement. I honestly don't see how enthusiasm for any of that could be affected one way or the other by an outline.

 

[Cory Swanson]

Outlining kills joy. I just can't do it. Does it mean I will have to patch holes and rewrite things? Sure. But if I don't enjoy it, why would I do it? I've got a day job. I'm not starving.

To me, the bliss is when you're letting the characters act and react. You don't force them to do things they wouldn't do. You discover the plot like a reader, but it's better because it came from your own head.

I'm done with outlines. Do I come up with some big things to get my characters to do? Yes. Mid book crisis when I don't really know where everything is going? Yes. Joy when I finally figure it out? Totally.

 

[Cathbad]

I've done it both ways; but I, too, seem to enjoy writing sans outline more.

 

[Rider of scaled wing]

I've been a 'plotter' for a really long time. whatever project i work on, i find myself thinking about and going over the same scene in my head multiple times before i finally find the time to sit down and actually write it, and sometimes it can be a bit of a let down when the thing you put on paper/type onto the computer screen doesn't quite match up somehow to the thing you had in your head, and might even be noticeably less impressive than you visualized it.

Still, i find heavily developing your plot before writing it can help prevent plot holes and the like from forming. A more solid foundation, you know?

Just don't forget to also make time to regularly turn what you plotted out into actual written word. the worst thing is to have an entire novel series planned out in your had, and hardly even so much as half of one book actually written.

Trust me, i know exactly how THAT feels.