Comments on: On Pantsing and Learning from it

By: meljean

meljean — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 03:32:33 +0000

My editor does require a synopsis (about ten pages) so I did have to turn in a well-plotted outline … mostly I think she just wants to see that I have a conflict, a believable plotline, and good character turning points.

And overall, the 2nd book really does follow the synopsis … it’s just that some things were emphasized a little more or less, and the details got a lot deeper in how everything tied together.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 03:24:49 +0000

Awesome question.

My first book was absolutely by the seat of my pants. My second book was meticulously plotted — and that’s because my editor requires a detailed chapter outline. At times, that second book was like pulling teeth. Gah. Whether it’s a better book than the first remains to be seen. :boggle:

By: May

May — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 10:44:34 +0000

See, this is why I’m busily trying to become a plotter. I think I’m succeeding too.

By: meljean

meljean — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 07:41:12 +0000

By: sybil

sybil — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 04:44:28 +0000

My first question would be when is your deadline?

Great answer! Very interesting and oddly… long

By: meljean

meljean — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 04:43:04 +0000

And sometimes I add the dots in by accident.

By: meljean

meljean — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 04:32:20 +0000

Writing by the seat of your pants instead of having a detailed plot laid out (and following it).

I do have a plot in mind when I begin, and a general idea of how I want the story to go — I just don’t have it down scene by scene. It’s more like a connect-the-dots thing.

By: Long Tran

Long Tran — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 04:29:19 +0000

What is pantsing?