Pepsilovr
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Are you a “pantser” or a “plotter”? Or somewhere in between? I find that even if I have a good idea of where I am going with a scene (or the book), the characters tend to run off and do things I hadn’t had in mind…
Lois McMaster Bujold
I've answered this before at greater length, somewhere, if you scroll back through the pile, but I'm in-between. I do a lot of general note taking, and pushing ideas around on paper to see if they'll fit, before I start writing, but it's as much a memory aid as anything. I then narrow down on scenes, my basic work unit, and outline each one quite a bit before I sit down and write it out, sometimes mutating as it goes. Then lather, rinse, repeat with the next scenes in a chain. I don't outline in detail in advance; future developments fade off into obscurity pretty quickly, until I work my way closer.
I have more problems with characters sitting down and not moving than with them running off.
When I'm writing anything at all, that is.
Ta, L.
I've answered this before at greater length, somewhere, if you scroll back through the pile, but I'm in-between. I do a lot of general note taking, and pushing ideas around on paper to see if they'll fit, before I start writing, but it's as much a memory aid as anything. I then narrow down on scenes, my basic work unit, and outline each one quite a bit before I sit down and write it out, sometimes mutating as it goes. Then lather, rinse, repeat with the next scenes in a chain. I don't outline in detail in advance; future developments fade off into obscurity pretty quickly, until I work my way closer.
I have more problems with characters sitting down and not moving than with them running off.
When I'm writing anything at all, that is.
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Clarissa johnston
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Hello Lois! I have thoroughly enjoyed the adventures of the Vorkosigans. The last book that I read was Gentkeman Joke and the Red Queen. Will you be going back into that serious or have I missed something? Cheers and thank you for hours of pleasurable reading
Simone Gieschler
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
I read in your Q&A that you read manga, and even tracked down that French Vorkosigan comic you mentioned on your blog. Do you think there is a chance of a manga adaption of your work? May I also recommend the Manga/Anime Noragami to you? I terms of long-term plot, fully formed characters that grow and change (hurt but never abandoned by their female authors) it really reminds me of your works (which I love).
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more