The Plot?

[JackLuis]

Over the last three years I have had the problem of closing out stories, (witness the 40 Chapters of "Spreading Seeds")/

I have tried Excel and Word and looked into other software, which for some reason doesn't work on my computer.

How do you "Plot"?

Do you plot? Or do you just write and it all comes out?

 

[TxRad]

Over the last three years I have had the problem of closing out stories, (witness the 40 Chapters of "Spreading Seeds")/

I have tried Excel and Word and looked into other software, which for some reason doesn't work on my computer.

How do you "Plot"?

Do you plot? Or do you just write and it all comes out?

Mostly in my head as i write. The typing and immediate story in the front of my brain and what's next simmering in the back.

That could explain all the weird typos.

 

[TE999]

I have a definite beginning and end in mind, the stuff in-between emerges as I type.

 

[sr71plt]

I have a general sense of a resolution and/or hook or theme in my mind and if it's novel length, I'll often write a quick/dirty who does what outline for the first four or five chapters (which normally become seven or eight). Then I make notes of the main names and setting/time or other issues I want settled so I don't have to stop in the main flow of writing to look them up--and then I just bring up a blank page on the computer and go. And I've never had a problem with that.

I most certainly don't try to substitute software (other than a fast computer--and google open on another computer nearby for flash fact checking) for creativity.

 

[Boxlicker101]

What's a plot? I usually have a good idea how a story of mine is going to end, with everybody cumming and being sated, at least for the time being.

 

[TxRad]

I have a general sense of a resolution and/or hook or theme in my mind and if it's novel length, I'll often write a quick/dirty who does what outline for the first four or five chapters (which normally become seven or eight). Then I make notes of the main names and setting/time or other issues I want settled so I don't have to stop in the main flow of writing to look them up--and then I just bring up a blank page on the computer and go. And I've never had a problem with that.

I most certainly don't try to substitute software (other than a fast computer--and google open on another computer nearby for flash fact checking) for creativity.

I think he was referring to plot outline software or a way to plot chapters and stuff.

I do the same thing for novel length stories. I make a character list, a basic who does who or what time line, and a names and description list. Especially if i have more than a hand full of characters.

 

[DeeZire]

Stephen King's approach is to put a character in a situation and see what happens. His book "On Writing" is more memoir than how-to, but it does contain a few nuggets on writing.

 

[sr71plt]

I think he was referring to plot outline software or a way to plot chapters and stuff.

I do the same thing for novel length stories. I make a character list, a basic who does who or what time line, and a names and description list. Especially if i have more than a hand full of characters.

Ah, if so, then my response is that the best software for plotting is the human brain. All else pales in the face of that and starts down the road of the hackneyed.

 

[ExoMani]

I write down a synopsis before I do much actual story writing.

Usually, the synopsis takes me about twenty minutes to write, and typically ends up containing somewhere between eight to twelve lines.

I have no problem changing my synopsis when new, better ideas occur to me. But I have found that:

1. My synopsis keeps me focused and on track.

2. I always finish with the beginnings and endings of my stories being, pretty much, what I had originally planned. It’s only the stuff in the middle that changed a bit.

A third benefit is that if I decide to write a sequel, or more chapters, I don’t have to be continually re-reading the original story in order to insure the new work’s continuity.

I find that writing methodically works best for me.

In the end, however, you’ve got to find a technique that works best for you. Good luck!

 

[JackLuis]

I was referring to yWriter 5, my computer needs NetFx or some such to run and I can't get it to load.

I was just winging it with "SS" but found that I couldn't get beyond the wanking and the story was buried in excess pussy!

For my Horny Springs story I wanted to have a plot to carry the story, since I'm trying to write a more mainstream, romance, Spy, story.

I've ended up with Word in kind of an outline, writing the bits as they come to me and trying to break the habit I developed in "SS" of writing 'in the story timeline". It ends up with a lot of chapters that can't support a 4.5, although about half the chapters have H's most of the time.

I guess I need to use some "telling" to fill in the dull stuff, between encounters?

Like " a few days passed since Maureen had eaten his Smushie" and then 'show' what happens next?

 

[TxRad]

I was referring to yWriter 5, my computer needs NetFx or some such to run and I can't get it to load.

I was just winging it with "SS" but found that I couldn't get beyond the wanking and the story was buried in excess pussy!

For my Horny Springs story I wanted to have a plot to carry the story, since I'm trying to write a more mainstream, romance, Spy, story.

I've ended up with Word in kind of an outline, writing the bits as they come to me and trying to break the habit I developed in "SS" of writing 'in the story timeline". It ends up with a lot of chapters that can't support a 4.5, although about half the chapters have H's most of the time.

I guess I need to use some "telling" to fill in the dull stuff, between encounters?

Like " a few days passed since Maureen had eaten his Smushie" and then 'show' what happens next?

A good editor is what you need. If it doesn't move the plot along or add to the characters, delete it.

If I took all the stuff that was deleted from my main steam books I would have probably two or three more books. Crappy book to say the least but there is a lot that you write that you don't need.

 

[mynameisben]

Ah, if so, then my response is that the best software for plotting is the human brain. All else pales in the face of that and starts down the road of the hackneyed.

Computer scientists would argue that the human brain is closer to firmware than software. But then, they generally write some of the worst erotica on the face of the earth.

 

[sr71plt]

Computer scientists would argue that the human brain is closer to firmware than software.

You may be right. I certainly can feel firm when I'm writing erotica.

 

[JackLuis]

I bought some software that was suppose to help develop an "Cambellian" plot line and help with characters and such, but as sr said, it's not as good as my winging it and a hell of a lot more complex.

BUT, I've got a slam-gang-bang ending to this one and last night and early this morning I used Word and filled in the middle portions. It seems to be good to go, if I can stay on the outline. Too many bunnies hopping around though.

The problem I have now is the story covers several months and I guess I'll have to resort to bypassing some of the time with vignettes, and images in order to concentrate on the Postman's passage.

 

[Handley_Page]

I was referring to yWriter 5, my computer needs NetFx or some such to run and I can't get it to load.

I was just winging it with "SS" but found that I couldn't get beyond the wanking and the story was buried in excess pussy!

For my Horny Springs story I wanted to have a plot to carry the story, since I'm trying to write a more mainstream, romance, Spy, story.

I've ended up with Word in kind of an outline, writing the bits as they come to me and trying to break the habit I developed in "SS" of writing 'in the story timeline". It ends up with a lot of chapters that can't support a 4.5, although about half the chapters have H's most of the time.

I guess I need to use some "telling" to fill in the dull stuff, between encounters?

Like " a few days passed since Maureen had eaten his Smushie" and then 'show' what happens next?

You usin' a Mac or something ?

 

[JackLuis]

You usin' a Mac or something ?

No I'm useing a HP, Compac but had a problem trying to load the MS Net FX stuff, that allows the yWriter to function. I need to reinstall my OP Sys but am too lazy.

Someday, well at least after I finish "Who Screws the Postman".

 

[Tx Tall Tales]

I'm another one that starts with an idea in his head, then develops the characters and tries to steer them in that general direction. They don't always want to go there however. That explains some of my longer works which I just can't seem to close out. As I get near the end of the longer stories, I create the chapters ahead of time, with a couple of paragraphs of guidance in each one, and try to follow that. My CvsN series is that way, and I'm finally down to the last 6 chapters. Hopefully, if the characters don't screw me over again...

 

[Weird Harold]

Do you plot? Or do you just write and it all comes out?

My best recieved story had a defnite punchline to work toward and a couple of key plotpoints to touch on. There was nothing formal about the "outline," but having that predefined goal to work toward kept me focussed. The story turned out better than others with just a general premise to work around -- many of which went nowhere and remain unfinished.

 

[polynices]

I don't have much trouble keeping the plot of a short story, or even a novella, in mind as I'm writing, so I never write outlines or notes. I favour 'seat of the pants' writing instead - just get started and see where it goes, within the broad outline I already have in mind. However, that approach doesn't seem to work for me for novels, where I frequently get stuck.

The longest piece I've ever produced is currently at about 65,000 words. The first forty thousand or so were a breeze: I wrote them fast and with considerable enthusiasm. Unfotunately, however, I generated an enormous number of hooks in the process - hanging plot threads that have to be resolved by the end. Consequently, I reached a point where I had to plot formally - i.e. to make notes and diagrams to work out how the whole thing will eventually fit together. I've done that - I've done it a lot, in fact - but writing to a pre-conceived scheme has turned producing the remaining twenty thousand words or so into hard labour - and I think my decreased enthusiasm for the task has impaired the quality of the writing overall.

I realise that's the conundrum all writers of fiction face, of course: spontaneity is best, but it can leave you in a muddle, while writing to plan is just hard graft.

On the related issue of using computer programs to assist with the plotting process, I spent a lot of time using Freemind - a piece of mind-mapping software. It's a free download, easily found through Google. I had a lot of fun with it but I can't honestly say it helped my story much. Nevertheless, it is an easy way to make free-ranging but structured notes, if that helps at all.

 

[JackLuis]

I don't have much trouble keeping the plot of a short story, or even a novella, in mind as I'm writing, so I never write outlines or notes. I favour 'seat of the pants' writing instead - -

On the related issue of using computer programs to assist with the plotting process, I spent a lot of time using Freemind - a piece of mind-mapping software. It's a free download, easily found through Google. I had a lot of fun with it but I can't honestly say it helped my story much. Nevertheless, it is an easy way to make free-ranging but structured notes, if that helps at all.

Thanks I'll check into Freemind.

I generally free write but WSP is a complex story with three major subplots and and It's like writing three stories and weaving them. I'm having good luck so far framing the first and second chapters ~ 15K words so far. I'm hoping to keep it under 75K.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I don't have much trouble keeping the plot of a short story, or even a novella, in mind as I'm writing, so I never write outlines or notes. I favour 'seat of the pants' writing instead - just get started and see where it goes, within the broad outline I already have in mind. However, that approach doesn't seem to work for me for novels, where I frequently get stuck.

The longest piece I've ever produced is currently at about 65,000 words. The first forty thousand or so were a breeze: I wrote them fast and with considerable enthusiasm. Unfotunately, however, I generated an enormous number of hooks in the process - hanging plot threads that have to be resolved by the end. Consequently, I reached a point where I had to plot formally - i.e. to make notes and diagrams to work out how the whole thing will eventually fit together. I've done that - I've done it a lot, in fact - but writing to a pre-conceived scheme has turned producing the remaining twenty thousand words or so into hard labour - and I think my decreased enthusiasm for the task has impaired the quality of the writing overall.

I realise that's the conundrum all writers of fiction face, of course: spontaneity is best, but it can leave you in a muddle, while writing to plan is just hard graft.

On the related issue of using computer programs to assist with the plotting process, I spent a lot of time using Freemind - a piece of mind-mapping software. It's a free download, easily found through Google. I had a lot of fun with it but I can't honestly say it helped my story much. Nevertheless, it is an easy way to make free-ranging but structured notes, if that helps at all.

Nonsense. Mozart wrote to form every time at bat. All the happy horseshit stream of consciousness navel gazing turns people off, and the artistes who crank it out are obscure and irrelevant.

 

[polynices]

Nonsense. Mozart wrote to form every time at bat. All the happy horseshit stream of consciousness navel gazing turns people off, and the artistes who crank it out are obscure and irrelevant.

And bollocks to you, James B Johnson. I was writing personally, describing my own experience. It can't therefore be nonsense. If I didn't describe your experience in the process, well, congratulations Mr Mozart, but I wasn't really trying to.

(And I don't remember referring to either my navel or any kind of stream of consciousness, either. If you don't recognise that there's more than one way to produce fiction, you clearly don't know much about writing.)

I think your main interest here lies in giving free rein to your own prejudices and, wherever possible, asserting your (specious) superiority over other people. It's commonly called bullying in ordinary life. Get out of the playground and grow up!

And I'd suggest you try taking your head out of your arse for a change as well. You may see a surprisingly varied world if you do.

 

[bronzeage]

Nonsense. Mozart wrote to form every time at bat. All the happy horseshit stream of consciousness navel gazing turns people off, and the artistes who crank it out are obscure and irrelevant.

This bit of wisdom will come in handy for the next "Write Porn Like Mozart" day.

 

[TxRad]

This bit of wisdom will come in handy for the next "Write Porn Like Mozart" day.

Hey now, I've written quite a bit of porn to Mozart. Uh, while listening to Mozart, that is.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Dear Reader,

TEX acquired much of his education from BABY EINSTEIN products.