Saturday Chit-Chat…a plotting workshop
Couple of weeks ago, I asked if it would be okay with the Plotmonkey readers if we devoted a little time to the writers who join us here on the blog. Since everyone seemed amenable, I’m going to hijack the Saturday Chit-Chat for the next few weeks to present my notes from a workshop I recently did for my TARA chapter called “Plotting With Your Pants On.” Ask questions, comments, request examples and clarifications…hopefully the other monkeys will jump in too with their commentary. (Except Leslie, who is off at a conference this weekend.)
Here it is…I’ll be presenting in parts.
Part One
Plotting with Your Pants On
In recent years, two schools of thought have emerged in terms of how writers plot their books. If you’ve been in RWA long enough, you’ve heard the term “plotter” and “pantster.” The plotter being the writer who carefully and meticulously plans out every key point in the scenes, chapters and “acts” (under screenwriting’s three or four act systems, which I’ll discuss next week), does character interviews, exhaustively researches and for all intents and purposes, comes off as anal and left brained.
The pantster, on the other hand, is so named because this writer works from the seat of their pants, rather than from any definitive plan. The original term for this was “misters,” a term coined, I believe, by Jo Beverly when she gave an RWA keynote address and wrote several articles on “Flying Into the Mist,” which basically outlined her process of sitting at the computer and typing away, letting the story tell itself organically without any definitive plot to guide her. This is all very creative, very right-brained, very…literary.
Over the past few years, there has emerged a sort of factioning that disturbs me as a writer. Assumptions are made about the creativity level of one author over the other…and frankly, about the talent.
I believe very strongly that these arguments are ridiculous. But it’s easy for me because I’m a switch-hitter. I “do it both ways” as it were.
So what I’m going to share with you today is MY WAY of doing things. And the one thing MY WAY will illustrate is that there is more than one way to plot a book.
There is no wrong way or right way. If you plot one way, your books will not be more complicated or intricate than another…nor will they be more creative or organic. No matter HOW you write, the only thing that counts in the end is the FINAL PRODUCT. How you get there is entirely up to you.
One thing I learned when creating my layering technique is that necessity is the mother of invention. After writing twenty-five books, I’ve learned that every book is a different experience for me. Some are a snap while others threaten to kill me. Some I can write without having a single word written in pre-planning–including a synopsis. The Blaze I wrote last year, THE DOMINO EFFECT, was sold on two paragraphs and I never wrote a single other pre-planning note. I sat down and wrote.
The caveat to that is that I did talk the book out with my plotting partners, and I do intend to talk about that process a little later on.
On the other hand, my last Marisela book, DIRTY LITTLE LIES, was not only plotted once, but twice. I had a science project board with post its and pages and pages of notes–one for each version of the book (I’ll show you a picture of my current plotting board next week.) The only thing the process for writing this book had in common with Domino was that I discussed the book, mostly the second version, with my plotting partners before I wrote.
I guess this is a good time to discuss the process of plotting with partners, which of course, is how this blog came to be. Here are a few guidelines you might want to consider if you go this route.
Have a mix of personalities and strengths–but it is perhaps helpful to work within genre (historical/contemporary.) Helpful, but not essential as I’ve learned from other groups. In our case, Janelle & Carly great with characterization and emotions; Leslie and I are better with plotting and external conflict.
Only work with people you trust. (Critique with them or know them personally for a long time beforehand so you know that they understand and respect not only your voice, but your body of work).
Have a plan. (1-1/2 hours per book, with two books per person if what we Plotmonkeys do…and designate a scheduler. In our case, it’s Janelle.)
Plan for downtime (helps keep up the trust and friendship so essential to the process.)
Establish rules…if someone says “that’s just not a me story/character/element” then the others have to drop it.
NO STEALING IDEAS WITHOUT PERMISSION–offering them is best. 
In other words, if an idea comes up that you don’t want to use, but you know is good…let someone else have it if they want. We’ve never done this, but the offer is out there.
Generally, we all start off with either character or a plot element or a scene and we build from there. There’s no set way…you have to be flexible.
GMC–two years ago, we started implementing the GMC portion of our plotting. Before we finished plotting a book, we made sure we had GMC for the hero, heroine and villain (if there is one). This helped the writer down the line when the plot had to develop.
Don’t always try to plot scene by scene…what you’re looking for is enough information to write a really good synopsis. Everyone is different and will need different information. Janelle doesn’t like having too much information, for me, the more the better.
TAPE THE SESSIONS! Do not rely on notetaking or memory…it won’t work. Invest in a good digital recorder. After each session, download the files to a laptop…the files are often too big for email. (*Have at least one techno savvy person in the group!)
Four is probably the max that the group can handle in one weekend. Everyone gets 3 hours…that’s twelve hours and that’s a lot because you’ll end up using more, even if it’s not recorded.
Next week, I’ll talk about standard screenwriting techniques to plotting and how to adapt it to romance novels. Stay tuned!
Thanks Julie! I was write dialoge first too. But my only plan after that was to put the ‘other’ stuff in. Just stuff. Your article on layering will give me a checklist of items that should be there. I appreciate that your dedicated readers ( including myself ) have given the green light for you guys to occassionally hijack this site to help other writers.
Comment by Liz — April 28, 2007 @ 7:40 am
Thank you so much for doing this, Julie. It’s always a blessing when a pro is willing to help us newbies!
Comment by Chicki Brown — April 28, 2007 @ 8:45 am
Although I got hear this first hand at our TARA meeting it is so great to have it here. I took lots of notes but was/am sure that I missed things. Now I can read it here.
It’s all ready helped me and my cp as we plot together. And we have boards with pretty sticky notes on them too!!
Comment by Vicki — April 28, 2007 @ 9:05 am
The science project board is such a great idea. And I feel much better knowing that even someone who has done this for years sometimes does it twice.
I sat down and plotted out my current WIP. I think I’m like Janelle - it was too much information. I felt stuck and bogged down trying to make it work within the plan that I had.
Earlier this week I talked about mowing for days on end. Well….it is a great time to think things through!!! I completely redid the book while riding around on the lawn mower and it is so much better now. When I come in for drinks or to rest I jot down the ideas that have come to me and then I piece them all together. It’s very different than sitting and writing it out and then following that. ‘Course, I’ve never been one to go with convention so….
Thanks for sharing your information with us, and as Liz said, thanks to everyone who isn’t an aspiring writer for being ok with this.
Comment by Jodie — April 28, 2007 @ 9:15 am
Oh, one question - what’s GMC? I’m sure I should know this but I have a headache and it hurts to think too much.
Thanks!
Comment by Jodie — April 28, 2007 @ 9:16 am
Jodie! Great question…GMC is Goal, Motivation and Conflict, which was coined by Deb Dixon, who wrote a fabulous book on the subject that every newbie writer should read. You can find it here.
Comment by Julie Leto — April 28, 2007 @ 9:47 am
OK, even without the headache, I’m thinkin’ it would have taken me a long time to get that one. Thanks for the answer and I’ll check out the book!
Comment by Jodie — April 28, 2007 @ 10:18 am
Hi Julie~ Thanks so much for helping us aspiring writers! I am a pantster but at the moment am a little stuck and think I need to do some plotting. Do you ever find yourself both plotter and panster on one story?
I appreciate all your helpful hints - it is really, really nice of you to share your knowledge.
Comment by Robin — April 28, 2007 @ 11:09 am
Robin…ALL THE TIME. I’m a switch-hitter even within stories. More on that later, that’s for sure!
Comment by Julie Leto — April 28, 2007 @ 11:18 am
Wow, interesting stuff. I love learning how writers do their thing. Can’t wait to read future posts.
Comment by Stacy ~ — April 28, 2007 @ 11:48 am
Julie — considering I’m getting ready to start a new book, this is a great reminder of making sure my GMC is solid!
Jodie — I’m like you. If I have too much information up front, I feel overwhelmed. I need to know the essentials (plot, conflict, etc.), but the scenes mostly unfold as I’m writing the book. Again, like you, a lot of my “scenes” come to me when I’m on my daily 45 minute walk. Though I have to take a pad of paper with me to jot down notes because I inevitably forget the key points by the time I make it home!
However, it’s very comical to see me walking my dog and writing down notes at the same time. My neighbor saw me doing this once and asked what the heck was I doing, and I had to explain that I was plotting a book!
Comment by Janelle — April 28, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
Although I’m more of a pancer I like the science board idea, it will help to keep me organized, right now everything is in a binder thats ready to bust.
Comment by Tina Martinesi — April 28, 2007 @ 1:28 pm
Julie, thanks for an interesting blog. Even though I don’t aspire writing a book this is still very interesting. Thanks also for explaining GMC, my little pea brain couldn’t come up with an explanation.
Good luck to all of you that are writing books. Hang in there!
Have a wonderful Saturday, enjoy the sun & whatever you do.
Comment by Donna M — April 28, 2007 @ 1:29 pm
OH MY GOSH!!
Just had a huge shock…went to ebay to search for a used copy of the GMC book, they only had 1 copy, it was a 1st edition and was selling for $80.00 
I’ll search amazon next but I just had to come back and share this info.
Comment by Tina Martinesi — April 28, 2007 @ 2:23 pm
Great advice, Julie! :thumbsup2:
I read GMC a couple of months ago and it definitely provided a lightbulb moment for me. It’s still something I struggle with, but now I know how to incorporate it.
Comment by Julie S — April 28, 2007 @ 2:28 pm
Wow Amzon wasn’t much better the cheapest used copy was selling for $51.84
and just order it from Gryphon books.
I guess I’ll have to spring for the $19.99
Comment by Tina Martinesi — April 28, 2007 @ 2:30 pm
Janelle I feel better knowing that the bizarre way that seems to work best for me isn’t that strange. If I have a 10th of the success you’ve had I’ll be pleased. I do seem to “see” scenes and I’m not sure where they fit but I write it down and figure it’ll go someplace.
That’s also why I like Julie’s science fair project board. I can put all the pieces on there and move them around like a puzzle.
Thanks to all of you for your help and advise!
Comment by Jodie — April 28, 2007 @ 3:00 pm
I have tried EVERYTHING and come to the conclusion I’m a pantser. And based on this post, I think I’ll make my Tuesday blog about my most recent revelation re: what kind of writer I am and how to come to terms with it!
Comment by Carly — April 28, 2007 @ 3:02 pm
Geez, Tina! Was the book wrapped in GOLD, or what?
That’s a ridiculous price to charge when you can get it for $19.99 from the publisher.
Jodie — I don’t use a science fair project board, but when I get about halfway through my book I go through all my notes and scenes I had in mind and put them in order to the end of the book. Some of the scenes I come up with I don’t use, but at least I have them if I need them.
And most of the time I DON’T need those extra scenes. Just ask Carly — when I get to about page 380 of a 400 page book, she usually asking me when is the book going to end and what scenes can we cut, LOL. Usually I have TOO MUCH, rather than not enough!
Comment by Janelle — April 28, 2007 @ 3:08 pm
OK, Janelle, you’ve brought up another question I’ve had. I’ve tried everything I know of to figure this out (even retyping some chapters) - don’t know why I haven’t just asked the experts before
How do you figure out the length of a book -translated into type written pages? For example - I think Blaze books are around 60,000 words, is that right? And if so, how do you figure the pages. Short of doing a word count at the end of every chapter and then hoping it’ll fall in there some where?
I think I”m realizing I’m pretty much a panster all the way around - plotting, word count, chapters - I might as well just throw those notes up in the air and see where they land and go with it.
Comment by Jodie — April 28, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
Jodie — I started to answer your question and realized I couldn’t answer it in a straight, uncomplicated way, LOL!
So, I’m going to defer this question (and the answer!) to Julie who I KNOW can give you a good streamlined answer that won’t leave you scratching your head like my answer would have!
Oh, Julie . . . .
Comment by Janelle — April 28, 2007 @ 4:07 pm
I’m back! I was out watching my babysitter perform in her drama class’s play…Flapper. What fun! The kids were great. My babysitter was amazing in one of the leading roles. Did not only a cultured British accent, but a Brooklyn accent, too. She was hilarious. And the best dancer in the bunch. Her best friend was the plays comic relief and honestly, I didn’t know this kid could be that funny. She brought down the house.
But I digress…
On word count…nearly all the publishers are now going to word count via Microsoft Word’s tool that calculates how many words are on the page. The best way to figure out how many PAGES you need, no matter what font/margins you use, is to write a couple of chapters. Check your word count and divide by the number of pages you produced. This gives you an average. Divide the average into the word count the publisher wants and voila! You know how many pages you need to write.
That’s what I do now and it works perfectly.
Re: the plotting board. The best part of it is that you CAN move the scenes around. I’m VERY visual. I need to know not only what’s coming next, but what I already have. I can’t remember. And I need to make sure the book is balanced in terms of villain scenes, secondary storylines, etc. The science board works fabulously. It wasn’t my idea…I’ve just adapted it from several sources. Wish I could tell you all of them, but there are too many! You’ll get my version next week, though!
Comment by Julie Leto — April 28, 2007 @ 4:57 pm
Thanks so much for the answers and the help. I’m very visual also and I think that’s why the idea appeals to me.
I got an idea last week (while mowing) and when I came in to write it all down I couldn’t really get it right. So I started drawing circles and lines going off in all directions (a really screwed up flow chart). But it came so easily that way and I understand it perfectly. To someone more analytical (like hubby) it looks like a jumbled mess, but I know what it all means.
You guys are so kind and so helpful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Comment by Jodie — April 28, 2007 @ 6:15 pm
This might be a dumb question but I’m a little confused - when I’m writing I strictly go by word count (using Microsoft’s Word’s tool) and don’t worry about how many pages I have. As a pantster, I find I write best when I don’t overthink it and my chapters vary in length. I just shoot for that final word count that the publisher has in their guidelines. Do I need a certain amount of pages too?
Thanks! And I’m really enjoying the discussion - it’s great hearing everyone’s methods.
Comment by Robin — April 28, 2007 @ 6:19 pm
Robin, you’re fine–and this is an EXCELLENT question. Word count is what matters. However, when I talk about using the plotting board next week, I’ll be talking in terms of pages because it’s simpler. Also, when I give myself a daily goal, I go by pages. This might just be a holdover from the 250wpp days in Courier New…but it’s also a result of basing my plotting on screenwriting, which is also all about the pages.
Here’s the thing–let’s say you write a LOT of dialogue and have a ton of white space in your manuscript. You average 190 words per page in Courier New 12 with one inch margins. Another writer has more description and narrative and averages 230 words per page. To reach 60K, you need 315 pages. The other person only needs 260. That’s a HUGE difference. And no matter what…let’s say you’re writing for Blaze…that book is going to be 242 printed pages…no matter what. So if you write 315, you might get smaller type in your book because white space takes up as much space as words. Does that make sense? I’d advise you to finish up your book between 280-290 pages…even if its short on words, it’s thick on pages and you don’t want your font size too small or older readers (like me!) will complain…or worse, not buy the book.
Jodie, there’s a name for what you instinctively did with the circles and lines. I cannot for the life of me remember what it’s called (help anyone?) but I know it has a name! Doesn’t matter…what matters is that it WORKS and that’s all that counts!
Comment by Julie Leto — April 28, 2007 @ 6:49 pm
Thanks for the extra explanation on pages/words. I had wondered the same thing but was still just trying to figure it out on my own. And your explanation on dialogue makes sense too. I think I don’t have enough dialogue and that explains why I was getting such a low number on my page count for my current wip.
I can think of several descriptive phrases for what I did but I don’t think I can type them here.
But it’s nice to know that I’m not as crazy as I think I am!
Comment by Jodie — April 28, 2007 @ 7:06 pm
Thanks Julie! That does make sense - thanks for clarifying it. I really appreciate your detailed answer
Have a great rest of the weekend!
Comment by Robin — April 28, 2007 @ 7:18 pm
Julie — I think the name for what Jodie did is called BRAINSTORMING, LOL.
Comment by Janelle — April 28, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
I am passing this on to my daughter. She has me buying I don’t know how many how to write screenplay books and such. So far for one of her profs she has done a play, which not only garnered her an A, but when cleaned up he has someone he wants her to submit it to. How cool. Lately she has been writing a book. I think. She won’t tell me.
but when she has to write a paper on something that doesn’t interest her, it falls to me to put it together. Let me preface this with the fact that she has learning disabilities and one of those is analytical skills, such as how to put the paper into a proper order. Why she can do it with one and not the other is a mystery. I think it is because one holds her interest and the other is just sheer torture. I make her do ALL the research, which she is really good at.
I tend to be a plotter when it comes to writing things, but I leave a lot of open areas for those whimsical ideas that manage to float into my brain on occassion. I tend to write large papers by doing research, writing individual facts on index cards, and then arranging them to suit me. Then I write, proof, and re-write as many times as needed. I try to stick with my first or second instincts though, if I over think it, it doesn’t come out right.
I think this idea is a great one and am looking forward to the coming weeks!!
Comment by ev — April 28, 2007 @ 7:39 pm
Ev - my oldest was labeled “academically gifted with a learning disability.” His disability was in written expression so if he had to write a paper it was very simplified. However, he’s written several screen plays also, and if he had to write a controversial paper he always excelled. The english teacher said Dusty was his “go to” person for thought invoking conversation.
I really do think it just depends on if it’s interesting to them or not.
Comment by Jodie — April 28, 2007 @ 7:44 pm
Wow. Thanks for the terrific topic today, Julie. I am so glad you are doing this. I started my current project as a pantser, but have noticed as I go along that I have started to plot - but in a very disorganized fashion.
I started out with a character sketch. I started to weave the plot in as I defined my characters. But now the plot portion takes several pages! It could be worse I guess.
Thank you soooo much. I have really learned a lot today!
Oh, one thing I started that might help newbies is a “mechanics” binder. Any and all workshop handouts and notes, as well as other sources I find, are kept there. It makes an easy reference source for me. One other book that I have found to be sheer genius on the ‘craft’ is Stephen King’s “On Writing - A Memoir of the Craft”. Not only is it highly entertaining, but gives terrific advice. I never knew the man was so witty!
Just a suggested read for the new writers.
Comment by Lynn Matherly — April 28, 2007 @ 9:19 pm
Comment by Yolanda — April 28, 2007 @ 9:41 pm
I love to read all the tips y’all given. Good luck to everyone with a work in progress.
Comment by Liza — April 28, 2007 @ 10:53 pm
Hahaha, Janelle. There’s a NAME for the TYPE of brainstorming she did, LOL! Worst thing is, I used to teach this technique to my high schoolers.
Lynn…everyone should read King’s book. Better yet, get it on recorded books and hear him tell you the stories himself. I think I’m going to drag out my copies (I have the CDs and the book) for a re-read. It’s been a while.
Ev, cool beans on your daughter…I’m sure she’s read Syd Field, who is the screenwriting guru I’ll be quoting next week.
Jodie, interesting stuff on the “academically gifted with a learning disability.” I’ve learned this year that this academically gifted stuff can be just as slippery a slope as learning disabilities…to put both together? Consider yourself hugged!
Comment by Julie Leto — April 29, 2007 @ 11:49 am
I have a nephew with a similar learning disability as Jodie describes. He is a gifted story teller - out loud. There is a disconnect in his brain though when it comes to transcribing the story to paper. He just can’t do it. It is incredibly painful and frustrating for him. It requires an entirely different kind of focus. The fun is the creation for him, but the chore is remembering how he said it out loud and moving it to paper.
If he could just do everything orally he would be set. He is also a Gifted and Talented student with a 145 IQ. Amazing that a kid that smart is labeled as a “special education” student.
Comment by Lynn Matherly — April 29, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
I could be wrong but I thing the circle thing is called a Venn diagram
:
My son is in 8th grade and they recently did something similar to what Jodie explained in their literature class and it was called a Venn diagram.
Comment by Tina Martinesi — April 29, 2007 @ 3:22 pm
As usual fashionably late chiming in. I got deja-vu from Jodie’s post. A couple of years ago when I was stuck in the middle of a POS (I’m an incorrigible pantster who’s tried to be a plotter but it’s like trying to write with my left hand), someone in our chapter suggested I try the “cluster technique.” I’d never heard of it, asked her to explain, and her reply sounded a lot like what Jodie said, only she said “bubbles” instead of “circles.”
Thanks to Vicki L for luring me over here!
Comment by Karen Lingefelt — April 29, 2007 @ 8:00 pm
Cluster! That’s it! Karen, thank you. It was killing me!
Comment by Julie Leto — April 29, 2007 @ 8:21 pm
Julie,
Thanks for tackling this and giving all of out there struggling along some helpful tips. Look forward to more posts!
Nina
Comment by Nina — April 30, 2007 @ 10:19 am
Great post! And Julie has some of the better writing advice articles that I’ve read. Thanks for sharing.
Comment by Patricia W — May 1, 2007 @ 12:20 pm