Are Pantsers Just Plotters in Disguise?

[Montero]

And there is also park it and walk away for now and do something else.

Lee and Miller's Liaden prequel - Crystal Soldier and Crystal Dragon - says in the front of it something to the effect we had this idea a lot of years ago but knew we weren't good enough yet to write it, so saved it for later.

 

[Ihe]

I feel your pain @sknox. We've all been there. Question: what is the theme of your story? Sometimes when it's difficult to connect internal and external struggles at face value in order to give them subtext, one can look at the main ideas explored in the story instead, and connect internal and external struggles to the theme, rather than to each other. The end result will be pretty much the same, but the way in which you search for those nexus points will be more liberating IMO.

 

[R.T James]

Congratulations are in order for the poster of this thread.

I've ran into a brick wall on revision of my draft of my major story. So now I must construct an outline to get the major points across and see about cutting down the fat.

While a defiant part of my brain is throwing a hissy. The cocking of an Ak held by the other logical part is causing to stop its fussing before it is gagged and thrown into the trunk of a very old car. If it makes too much of a noise it shall be a volkswagen beetle and we'll make it fit.

 

[Ihe]

Well, if one or the other don't work separately, and one doesn't have the instinct yet to seamlessly fuse them together, maybe alternating them is the best bet. We should have a name for that! Phasic plot-forging, alternating plot design, or some other pretentious term .

 

[R.T James]

Well, if one or the other don't work separately, and one doesn't have the instinct yet to seamlessly fuse them together, maybe alternating them is the best bet. We should have a name for that! Phasic plot-forging, alternating plot design, or some other pretentious term .

I'd say sculpting, or chiseling. As that's what is happening. The rough form was cast and something's not right. So time to bring out the finer tools and start holding up a stick.

 

[DelActivisto]

Well, if one or the other don't work separately, and one doesn't have the instinct yet to seamlessly fuse them together, maybe alternating them is the best bet. We should have a name for that! Phasic plot-forging, alternating plot design, or some other pretentious term .

What I just realized I am doing is making myself broad outlines. Then I start pantsing my way through the story with the memorized plot. Then it gets changed and run through a pasta slicer and I go remake the plot. Then I go back to pantsing.

I'm PLANTSING!!!