Books Matter discussion

I’m definitely hybrid—somewhere in the middle. I have the main idea of what I’m going to write before I write it. I have a simple outline of the plot and characters, but I have no idea how it’s going to go chronologically. Once I get the vague idea, I sit down and write. Usually I get my best ideas while I’m writing, not just thinking about it. I don’t make super detailed outlines chapter-by-chapter. But I don’t sit down and write just out of the blue. But hey! Everyone’s different. And you don’t just choose your process, the process chooses you. There’s no RIGHT way to do it. Share your process here!

Ahhh 😂😆 That’s so funny but so true for most people. Just get the idea in words! You got this!

I have vivid dreams and then I turn my dreams into stories so I'm a rare breed of writer lol

No, I totally get that! I’ve gotten some oddddd dreams that would be great story ideas!

I actually get a lot of ideas from scrolling on Pinterest and reading other books. I will look at images, create a story for it, and then plan a story. I will get a general idea of my story and then I start planning character development, world building, plot development, and then plot layout. I always do a rough draft of the chapter in my notebook before typing up the more official draft onto a Google Doc. I keep editing that depending on my proofread and how the next few chapters are laid out.

Emary wrote: "I’m definitely hybrid—somewhere in the middle. I have the main idea of what I’m going to write before I write it. I have a simple outline of the plot and characters, but I have no idea how it’s goi..."

exactly! it's like that with me too. Except, in the middle, i start outlining again and change the plot line and character traits and stuff!

That’s so cool everyone! :)

I always start off with a clear plan that I've spent ages on and then somewhere in the middle I realize that there were holes and I get lost and then stuck and probably never finish 😬

So you’re saying you lack motivation? Why don’t you try writing a bunch of short stories? then compile them and voila! You have a sorta ish book done

YOU GOT THIS PERSEPHONE! So many people go through this, so you are not alone! Just my best advice is to spend a LOT of time thinking up plot twists and backstory, etc. When I start writing, I don’t have a HUGE idea of what I’m going to do, so the twists kinda come to me in the moment. Hope this helps!

I never really plan that much. I just sit down and let the ideas come!

Then you’re a pantser!

Yup!

I like to use the 9 spot plot outline. It gives me a good structure to let my characters build their story on without feeling to restricted.

That’s great!

Everyone, I think I’m developing into more of a plotter :)

I'm not really a plotter. Typically, I do my best to try but don't end up finishing what plotting I've started. The extension of my outlines/plots is what I dream up in my head while daydreaming or falling asleep, with maybe a few character sheets scattered here and there.

so yeah xD I really need to plot out the story I'm working on if I want to write it, though