Hello Friends, Family, and Fans,
On Friday, Jen explained how she plots her novels. Now it’s my turn. This is the way I do it mostly. Sometimes I just jump right in, and when I’m writing with Jen we blend our methods.
Step 1: Have an idea
This is the most exciting step. I get a thought about a character, story, scene, villain, mood, or concept, and then I let my mind wander. Sometimes it takes years before I move past this point.
Step 2: Talk to Jen
This is the stage were I get excited and talk to Jen about it. If she gets excited, that’s great, if not then I need to think some more.
Step 3: Write something down
This can take the form of a Proof of Concept (a short story or first 1000 words of a novel), a blurb, or if I’m really excited, an outline.
Step 4: Math and tables
Before I start writing my outline, I start with my numerical goals. I need to decide if I want shorter or longer chapters, length of the book, 3 act structure or 5 act structure like Freytag’s pyramid, possible sequels, first or third person, and how many points of view.
Next, if I’m doing it right, I start making information tables for each of the main characters (I’ll be honest I sometimes do this later during writing. Every time I forget to do it I regret it.) I also like to build the same information for towns or locations.
Step 5: Outline
At this point, I write a list of everything that should happen in each part of the book and throw as much as I can at the page. Then I try to make a list of all the chapters, with who the POV is and place the events I have in the chapters.
I spend a lot of time on the story beats based off the act structure I chose. (I really like using elements from the Hero’s Journey.) Sometimes these are as simple as “needs scar” or “action scene”
This leaves a lot more holes than you’d think. I try my best to fill in as much about the first act as I can.
I also put in an ending for the book.
Step 6: Write while editing outline
No plan runs perfectly smoothly. As I write, I discover what I like about the story and what I don’t, and I need to adjust. I also get ideas for future scenes or plot points and add them to the outline.
In The Mystery of the Dancing Lights, my original outline was completely different, and I realized I wasn’t feeling the plot, so I wrote in the time loop and had to stop writing to adjust the entire outline.
Step 7: Obsessed about the book
I think about the book and daydream about it non-stop and as I do that, I get ideas and plot points. I add those to the outline.
Step 8: Make myself look clever
When I notice themes or have a definite ending, I start adding foreshadowings and more thematic elements into the outline (sometimes I have to go back to add them).
This is the ideal and every book I’ve written has had modifications. I try to follow the rule of “follow your instincts” as much as possible. Just because the outline says something doesn’t mean I’ll do it if I feel it’s not right.
I also spend a lot of time talking to Jen about the book and getting her feedback. If she gets the forehead scrunch or starts to twirl her hair and staring off at a distance, I know it’s not working for her.
Stay safe and be kind,
Éric
