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Pantser

Posted on July 15, 2013July 15, 2013 by Loni Townsend

YELLOW-BELLIED RACER
What can I say? I like snakes. (Photo by Bryant Olsen – Flickr Creative Commons)

I love being a pantser.

Isto isn’t plotted. Oh, I know where I need to end up and major events that have to happen in between. But as far as outlining–that stuff isn’t for me. I struggle with writing chronologically, so I don’t unless I feel inclined. That’s the beauty of yWriter. I can create chapters (really just headers with a word relating to general idea) and scenes as guidelines. But I fill them in later and start writing the stuff I want to write. Besides, if I don’t want to write it, will someone really want to read it?

But of course, those transition scenes are necessary. And sometimes those transitions turn out to be quite fun. I really enjoy Jim Butcher’s books and discovered some time back that he has some excellent advice on writing. I try to keep his post on scenes in mind when I write, and have utilized it a lot these past couple of weeks.

Sure what’s-her-name is the same type of being as the monsters…but what if she changed into a monster and turned on those she was trying to protect? Or they land in a swamp infested with venomous snakes and someone got bit? And maybe that helpful demigoddess wasn’t as helpful as they’d thought.

None of this was in my conception of the story. I also have no clue how I’m going to get my characters out of these situations. But hey! If I don’t know, then other people might not either. I don’t know if I’m even capable of plotting out a non-boring story. I’m sure if I’ve thought of it, someone else has too. That’s why I love not thinking! *blink* Okay, maybe that didn’t come out right.

This is just me being a pantser and nothing really helpful for all of you. I suppose that makes me a crappy blogger. So here are a couple of links to stuff I mentioned earlier:

  • Jim Butcher’s Live Journal, chock full of good writing advice
  • yWriter for those people like me who enjoy writing wherever in a story and a single document won’t do. (And the program fits on a thumb drive, making it usable on any PC!)

Happy Writing!

3 thoughts on “Pantser”

  1. Aldrea Alien says:
    July 28, 2013 at 11:32 PM

    I do more or less the same thing when I start writing.

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      July 29, 2013 at 6:23 AM

      Isn’t it fun? 🙂

      Reply
      1. Aldrea Alien says:
        July 29, 2013 at 2:31 PM

        Oh yes. I love being blindsided by my characters, especially the ones I’ve had kicking about for ages.

        At least, right up until I find myself stuck with an angle that leads me to wonder wtf happened and how in the world do they sort that out.

        Nah, it’s still fun then. Just twisted.

        Reply

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Welcome to my blog. I post here on Wednesdays most of the time, but you can find me on social media any day of the week. My topics include my stories and writing, life at the Town's End, creating and tinkering with graphics, things I learn and think might be helpful to others, and the occasional amateur photo. Thanks for stopping by! I hope to see you around.

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