Story Planning

[jack30341]

I'm curious how much planning others do for stories before they start writing them.

Each one seems different for me, but I find I can't go very far without at least sketching out somewhat of an outline at some point.

 

[SimonDoom]

This gets asked from time to time. I'm always interested in hearing new perspectives on how people do this. Authors seem to be divided between plotters and nonplotters, who prefer to write without plotting the story.

I'm a confirmed plotter. I come up with an idea, the characters, and the basic story concept and erotic focus. I write this down. I write the names and a bit of backstory/background for the main characters.
Then I outline the story, from start to finish. I want to have at least an idea of the basic acts and dramatic arc of the story, and I usually want to know where it's headed -- what the ending is, more or less -- before I actually start writing.

Often, when I do start writing, I deviate from my outline. But I find it's useful to make me mindful of keeping the plot tight and focused.

 

[NotWise]

I'll use notes at the end of my text to plan out complicated story lines. Otherwise I just keep the plan in my head. Stories can be fluid that way, but I usually keep them within fairly close bounds of my original idea.

The story I'm working on now has three different story lines that need to fit into a three-day timeline. I have notes for this one.

 

[HeyAll]

Each story is different. Obviously an erotica ends with sex, so if you know the beginning and build-up, the story is a lot done. The trick is being able to justify the sex some stories are more difficult than others in doing that.

The main thing for starting a story, for me, is having a great idea that gets me really excited. Once I have that spark, I start writing something.

 

[tomlitilia]

I always plan out the story before I start writing. I'm a firm believer that you have to decide what to write before writing it. My journeys need an end goal and pit stops along the way. I might not always write down the big picture, but I always have a structure in mind about what parts goes into the story and how they push the arc and plot forward. I typically make a more detailed outline of the text for each section before I write them.

 

[Omenainen]

I always plan out the story before I start writing. I'm a firm believer that you have to decide what to write before writing it. My journeys need an end goal and pit stops along the way. I might not always write down the big picture, but I always have a structure in mind about what parts goes into the story and how they push the arc and plot forward. I typically make a more detailed outline of the text for each section before I write them.

I’m the exact opposite I don’t plan for anything. I have some idea, often a single scene or a situation, and I write the story to find out what happens in it. Works well enough for short stories, but I suppose if I’d want to write a novel or something I’d have to be a bit more organized.

 

[KeithD]

When my muse, which has been working an idea before making me aware of it, drops a plot idea, including a hook and a possible ending and gets as far as revealing a possible title, I record it on my project list. If I can start writing that day, I just list the title and anthology it is to appear in, as applicable, and the status phases (write/review/edit/cleanup/book or publish), with the current stage bolded. Then I start writing as soon as I can. If I can't start writing soon I also include a note to indicate what it's about.

The only time I do any outlining, and that would be just events in a chapter, it is for a full novel-length work and often I don't do that until I've grounded it by writing a chapter or two first. I don't limit myself by being married irrevocably to anything I've written in a plot line or notes. I build a written list, sitting at my elbow, for each story as I write that gives character names/relationship and place and organization spellings used in the story.

I'm loosely organized, but organized, on writing, which now is my main occupation. I shoot for half a million published words/year, which comes to 1,400 words/day. I try to write something every day (and to review a story/chapter elsewhere in the process every day). I don't hyperventilate if I haven't managed to write on a given day. I don't rely on any of this for my rent or food. I can zip out up to 8,000 words/day if I'm devoting the full day to writing and working on all cylinders, but if I've written 1,000 words, I consider that good enough.

I was trained to write polished material analyzing flash-reported events to be delivered to policymakers NOW, so most of the organizing happens in my head before it goes on the page, and once I've reached the put it in writing phase, I scratch practically nothing. Nearly all I am writing will eventually be included in what's published. Nearly everything that gets listed on the project sheet gets published (but there are a few that have been on there for years). In the review process, I'm adding detail and clues to the ending, not cutting anything out.

 

[SamScribble]

I do very little conscious planning. Most of my more successful stories begin with a thought that manifests itself as an opening sentence. From there, I keep adding sentences until I get to the end.

I remember once asking a chap who made his living building (and repairing) drystone walls how he went about it. He said that he usually spent quite a bit of time selecting the one stone that would get things started. After that, it was largely a matter of adding stones that 'fitted'. Occasionally he had to 'unbuild' and rebuild a small section. But, more often than not, he just kept going until he had a finished wall that was strong and, hopefully, attractive.

I think that's how I approach most writing.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I’m the exact opposite I don’t plan for anything. I have some idea, often a single scene or a situation, and I write the story to find out what happens in it. Works well enough for short stories, but I suppose if I’d want to write a novel or something I’d have to be a bit more organized.

This is me, too. Stories mostly start with a single scene, proceed with no planning or plotting, until they arrive at the end, then stop. Characters arrive mid-sentence, plot turns often the same. I figure relationships in real life happen without plots or plans, so why should fictional relationships be any different?

 

[Haulover]

I'm curious how much planning others do for stories before they start writing them.

Each one seems different for me, but I find I can't go very far without at least sketching out somewhat of an outline at some point.

I'm a detailed planner. Things may go off track while I'm writing, but the general plot, the ending, and (above all) the story's intent is always in clear view.

And I (almost) always have a very clear image of the sex scenes I plan to introduce. I don't like stories that just have a lot of sex, even though it may be well described. I'm more focused on the the circumstances, the context within the story, maybe an unusual sex act.

...Obviously an erotica ends with sex...

Not sure I'd agree - but that's a topic for a different thread.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I see the story as a movie in my head. The beginning, the middle, and the end. Most of the dialog is there also, but sometime I just write it as I go or how the character goes.

I have done outlines in the past or just a little paragraph of what a story is about so I don't lose track of what supposed to happen and what the characters seem to want to do as I write.

Right now my muse is on an extended vacation. Nothing new and not helping me with my already started stories.

 

[dontcallme82]

I am currently writing a series. I had a general idea but found I deviated a bit.

I have found my original ending was a bit mean-spirited so I am going to think of a new ending.

 

[Paul_Chance]

Ideas get dropped into a pocket notebook I always carry, since inspiration hits in the strangest of places.

From there, if it's going to get beyond the idea, using Word I create a control sheet that looks like this:

Working Title:
Synopsis:
Plot:
Opening Scene (Introduces Main Character and Setting)
Plot Point & Characters Involved (First Movement - Journey)
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Plot Point & Characters Involved (Second Movement - Rising Action)
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Plot Point & Characters Involved (Third Movement - Climax)
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Closing Scene (Denouement)

This is a pretty traditional short story format in the classic three acts. Each plot point might have more or less scenes, but I find it works best for me. As the story develops I add or remove elements. I might think "I need more here" or "great scene, but pointless".

Then, once I'm finished writing (and I do the first draft in the control sheet with the sections bolded and in a larger font) I save a draft. I'll then go through and use the Word editing tools to mark-up and change the first draft until I reach a point at which I save the second draft.

Then, I sweep through and accept or reject all the edits, then remove the markups.

I take a break (a few days) then come back and review it with an editors eye for technical and grammatical mistakes. I usually do multiple editorial sweeps, then as a final part of the process I'll turn on a tape recorder and read the story out loud, then listen to it, make any corrections, and save the final draft and go to submission.

 

[Rustyoznail]

Sometimes I start at the beginning and write through to the end. Absolutely no planning.

Other’s, there’s a bit of work. The most occurred in my India vs Australia story where I had to make sure I tied in with Sweetdreamssss’s characters.

 

[Voboy]

It varies.

I find that the more I need to plan out the story, the worse it's going to come out. I'm best when I'm writing in the moment.

There are times when I'll do mini-outlines of upcoming scenes, especially when I know I'll have a gap before I get a chance to sit and write again.

But my outlines tend to be very, very generic, just a few short narrative paragraphs meant to remind me of the setpieces I'm going for. All the details and linkages get written in situ. My best stories needed no outlining at all.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I always plan, but the nature of the plan depends on the story. Sometimes I'll have the emotional/relationship arc planned in detail, with the plot less detailed, and sometimes it's the other way around.

For long stories, I use Scrivener to help plan stuff out.

 

[MetaBob]

I get an idea and start writing

I get a few thousand words along, then pull back and say to myself "where is this going?" My first novel was critiqued as being picaresque. I took that to heart.

Once I've spent a day or three writing a somewhat substantial piece of a thing, in my current case about 9K words, I step back and try to figure out where the story is going, and what the major plot points (and twists) will be. Sometimes I ask for feedback and sometimes rose I get some. Then I creep forward, letting myself slip into this new thing I have somehow inadvertently (and then intentionally) created. I deviate, or I should say my characters deviate, as by this time they're starting to write the story themselves because I've let them flesh themselves out enough, and then we write to the end. I listen to my characters; their story is often more interesting than I'd originally intended, but sometimes have to wrangle them back when they get too far off course.

Then when I'm done, I go back and flesh things out. What loose ends were there? What could have made one scene or another more poignant (or sexy)? Who what when where why (especially), and how.

If "picaresque" is the worst thing my writing gets called, that's not so bad. But my writing here has been called much worse, both by a few readers (who absolutely HATE your stuff but are almost exclusively anonymous) and writers (sometimes who didn't actually read the piece).

Doesn't matter.

Write what you believe in. Write what matters. (To You.) Sometimes there is no one else.

 

[QuillPig]

1. Have Sketchy Idea. Jot it in Scrivener folder that contains sketchy ideas.

2. Get back to whatever else I was working on.

3. Let time pass.

4. If more ideas accumulate around Sketchy Idea, move it to its own Scrivener folder called Story.

5. Let more time pass, maybe years. Let layers of notes build up.

6. Get around to writing Story.

7. Sort through notes, which, by now, have often become quite extensive, often redundant and contradictory. Arrange notes in Scrivener into some sort of structure.

8. Consume substance that stimulates creativity.

9. Commence first draft, sometimes following, sometimes ignoring structured notes. New ideas and connections will inevitably occur, forcing rethinks and readjustments of structure.

10. Get stuck or come to a natural pause in the action.

11. Go back, edit the draft, and reorganize notes, if necessary. It's best to do this while not under the influence of any substances, except, perhaps, caffeine, if you're into that.

12. Consume more substance, recommence drafting, etc.

13. Ideally, finish Story before becoming obsessed with another idea.

 

[jack30341]

I'm a detailed planner. Things may go off track while I'm writing, but the general plot, the ending, and (above all) the story's intent is always in clear view.

And I (almost) always have a very clear image of the sex scenes I plan to introduce. I don't like stories that just have a lot of sex, even though it may be well described. I'm more focused on the the circumstances, the context within the story, maybe an unusual sex act.



Not sure I'd agree - but that's a topic for a different thread.

Very interesting take on the "unusual" or perhaps particular sex act that is included.

There have been times when I have written and expected the sex to go a certain way in the story. But then, once I've worked developing the characters, I have wound-up revising the sex based on their personality.

 

[eroticstoryspinner]

My mainstream writing is science fiction and alt history. World building and continuity are major issues with me. I like to create a universe with consistent rules and play in it. If you are writing one offs, then that's not such a big deal. However if you are writing a series or even multiple chapters, you need something to keep you on the path. Because I guarantee you that readers will notice. Ask me how I know that.

Once I create the universe, a lot of times the story ideas present themselves. Sometimes to the detriment of works progress. I tend to jump from one series to another but I have a very rough road map for each series but it is by no means set in stone. Two of my characters in my Penal Slavery series completely derailed the original arc by deciding on having a romance. That's made the story better because it is letting me explore how does a slave know if its love, lust, or Stockholm syndrome? The takeaway for me is don't carve your outline in stone and be open to changing course and make sure that your characters are consistent across parts or be able to plausibility show why they change.

I am waiting for the thread that gives me the epiphany on how to focus on one story at a time.

 

[eroticstoryspinner]

I'm a detailed planner. Things may go off track while I'm writing, but the general plot, the ending, and (above all) the story's intent is always in clear view.

And I (almost) always have a very clear image of the sex scenes I plan to introduce. I don't like stories that just have a lot of sex, even though it may be well described. I'm more focused on the the circumstances, the context within the story, maybe an unusual sex act.



Not sure I'd agree - but that's a topic for a different thread.

I almost never consciously plan the sex scenes. They just seem to present themselves in the story.

 

[Voboy]

I just thought of something else I do.

While writing, in mid-flow, something new often occurs to me. Often it's a line of snappy dialogue, a joke, something along those lines that I know I'll want to throw in later, but which I know there's a good chance I'll forget in the interim.

So I'll hit ENTER several times and type myself a note, in brackets, that I know I'll encounter later when it's time to incorporate it into the story.

 

[jack30341]

I just thought of something else I do.

While writing, in mid-flow, something new often occurs to me. Often it's a line of snappy dialogue, a joke, something along those lines that I know I'll want to throw in later, but which I know there's a good chance I'll forget in the interim.

So I'll hit ENTER several times and type myself a note, in brackets, that I know I'll encounter later when it's time to incorporate it into the story.

I like this.

 

[Fervid]

I’m a big planner. My profession requires perfect endings, and I can’t afford to start something without knowing how I can finish it successfully. Look before you leap. Don’t take chances. Don’t fly blind.

Except in this arena, which is what makes it so interesting.

Here you can just start with a a cute idea and a couple of characters, and let them work it out. If you get stuck, it’s an interesting problem to solve. If it gets dull, it’s fun to think of a complication. It’s nice to be responsibility-free for a change.

To answer the inevitable question: I have 15 completed stories and three that are completely stalled. So it goes.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I just thought of something else I do.
...
So I'll hit ENTER several times and type myself a note, in brackets, that I know I'll encounter later when it's time to incorporate it into the story.

I do this too. I do most of my writing on my phone in Jotterpad.

Most of my stories start with a scene or image that inspires me, then an end point which changes it from a 'scene' into a 'story', and then I write from A vaguely towards B, sometimes quite succinctly, other times just writing my characters chewing the fat a bit until I understand where they're coming from and what they'll do next - sometimes that ends up in the story, other times it gets edited out all bar a couple lines.