panic

How Éric Plots his Novels

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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

How Jen Plots her Novels

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Step 1: Panic!

Step 2: Write 3 sentences that cover the main 3 beats of the story; beginning, middle, end.

Step 2a: (Because I forgot about this one and don’t want to renumber) Write out the character info for the main characters and secondary characters. The main characters should include descriptions of themselves as well as their motivations, weaknesses, strengths, nicknames, etc. Anything I can think of to make them who they are. Secondary characters only need descriptions at this point.

Step 3: Write out everything I can think of in jot note form for each beat.

Step 4: Ignore all of that and start a new document.

Step 5: Break the novel into the 3 parts. Decide how many chapters I want in each, and how many words will be in each chapter. (I usually say 3k as an approximate, 8 chapters in each part.)

Step 6: Copy all the jot notes into their appropriate chapter.

Step 7: Make sure everything flows properly. Fill in any missing information. Add red herrings and foreshadowing at appropriate points.

Optional
Step 8: Count the high action scenes (fight, sex, whatever) and make sure they’re spread out decently.

Not listed: Ask Éric for help at every step above so he can reassure me that I do, in fact, know what I’m doing.

I Have a Hole and I’m Leaking

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Hello My Imaginary Friends,

Over the past year I’ve been extremely lucky. I’ve had 9 months off with my wonderful wife and the adorable baby Dragon. I’ve finished a book, started two, and finalized one that will be published in early September. A lot of other awesome things have happened.

Unfortunately, I’m currently struggling with some issues. Mostly anxiety and stress. I hurt my neck in June and even though I’m getting treated and it’s getting better, I’ve been in near constant pain for two and a half months. It’s made it hard to sleep and concentrate.

Work has been extra stressful. I was hoping that coming back in summer would mean a slow readjustment period. That wasn’t the case; there were some issues while I was gone and I’ve been thrown into some intense work. It’s work that I have little control over and that has to be done quick which makes me extremely uncomfortable.

So the combination of anxiety, stress, lack of sleep, pain, and work has caused a few issues (current events aren’t helping much). At the worst, I feel trapped that causes mini panic attacks; at best I’m completely wiped.

It feels like I am a cup and I hold all my creative energy and motivation inside, but lately I’ve felt like my cup has a hole and every time I try to tap into that energy and motivation, it drains away too fast. I fill it up by gaming, reading, watching TV, and dreaming but it still drains away faster than I’d like.

I’m dealing with it and doing my best to try and get stuff done despite the lack of motivation, but it’s not always easy. Wife and Dragon cuddles help a lot. Same with taking time to do things that I find fun.

Please be patient with me as I work this out. I might be a little bit hermit-like and grumpy.

Thank you for reading,

Éric