In Which a Pantser Attempts Outlining

[glitter_n_gore]

Biggest news on the actual writing front is this: "The Candelabrum" has earned me my second personalized rejection. Yay! And I do mean that sincerely. Of course, I would prefer an acceptance, but this is the first place I sent this story out to, and it was both complimentary and just detailed enough to let me know where to go next.

So! As usual, I'm being attacked by plot bunnies left and right. Except this time, instead of ignoring them all, I'm trying to keep them neutralized a little differently: outlining.

As some of you probably know, I'm normally a panster when it comes to writing. Meaning, I prefer not to outline my plot, but start from scratch and just keep going until I get to The End. The reason being I tend to lose interest in a story once I know how it's going to end. Even if it's not fully fleshed out, if I have the basic structure "finished," my writer brain decides it's done with it and wants to move on to the next Shiny New Idea. Given the amount of plot bunnies clamoring for attention at all times, you can probably imagine how this goes for me.

However, also given the amount of plot bunnies I wind up with, I can see how outlining might actually be beneficial. I've just outlined a complete novel start to finish (dark, alternate universe YA--working title "The Light Bringers") in about a week, give or take. A fully fleshed out novel takes a lot longer than a week to write. But now, see, that particularly bunny has a home and is no longer nibbling at me. So perhaps this is a good way to keep them satisfied and still have time to work on my major projects in the meantime.

The question is will these unwritten stories still hold my interest enough for me to finish them fairly? Time will tell. This is an experiment. (There's a reason I decided to go with the Gambit icon for this post.) I'll see how it goes on this one for now, and I'll keep you posted as usual.

Last book read: Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House.

Currently on: Gail Carriger's Soulless, Book 1 of the Parasol Protectorate.

Comments

[xerinmichellex.livejournal.com]

I'm the opposite of you: before I sit down and start writing I *always* know how the story ends. It helps keep me on the right track. It'll be interesting to see if, not only can you get the plot bunnies to stop biting, but if you can discard some ideas that are taking up space in your head when sit down to outline and realize a. it doesn't work, b. maybe it's not as interesting an idea as initially thought, or c. you can combine ideas. Good luck!

Also: I love Carriger's Soulless. The whole series is great, if you happen to like Book 1.

[glitter-n-gore.livejournal.com]

I have combined ideas before, actually--usually works out for the best, if not always. What I like about outlining so far is it's easier to see the potential plot holes and work out how to fix them, before getting all tangled up in the prose.

As for Soulless--eh, the plot is great, but I'm not that sold on most of the characters, to be honest. Professor Lyall is pretty cool, but I could take or leave everyone else. And the incessantly verbose style is a bit grating. I don't really need to know every detail about each character's gloves, hats, shoes, bustles and hats every time they make a costume change. But then again, I'm sparse on description myself, so. *shrug* It's okay, but I don't see myself continuing with the series.

[xerinmichellex.livejournal.com]

Yeah, her writing style is hit or miss with readers. For what it's worth, what people wore/their appearance mattered a lot in Victorian times and a person's dress was the quickest way to determine their social status. So I can see why Ms. Carriger gives detailed descriptions. But if you're someone who dislikes physical description info-dump, I can see how it gets grating after awhile.

I will hand it to Ms. Carriger, though, hers is the first novel where I've been more attracted to the werewolf than the vampire! :P

[glitter-n-gore.livejournal.com]

Fair enough, but every time? After we've met the characters already? I've read actual Victorian novels less info-dumpy.

True that about the werewolf.

[gothrockrulz.livejournal.com]

By second personalized rejection, do you mean second personalized rejection ever, encompassing every story you've queried?

Usually, I only outline the story that I'm actually working on at the moment, but your idea of outlining those nagging ideas as a way of appeasing them sounds really good. I think I'll try that. :)

[glitter-n-gore.livejournal.com]

Second ever, yeah.

I hope so! As I said, it's an experiment. Time will tell whether it works out or not.