Plotting

So I’ve been working on the new book… but only really plotting it. I think because this story is complicated, I really want to have all the twists and turns plotted out before I really get into writing. I’m leaving about myself – I’m lazy. And I don’t want to rewrite major chunks. So I’m teaching myself how to plot, which is difficult for a Pantser like me. It’s not easy to give up old habits, that’s for sure.

I got a little further in the plot of the new book yesterday. So far my notes are about six pages long. Since I have about half the book plotted, I went back and starte working on chapter two again. I decided it really needed to be from Devlin’s POV so I started rewriting it.

One of the things I’ve learned is that a scene needs to be from the POV who has the most to gain or the most to lose. So I’m putting that to work with this book. I’m really thinking hard about it and where to go with it. Again, hard for a Pantser who likes to sit down and start writing from scratch with no real direction.

But I also learned something from writing the gladiator book. I started with a synopsis – about three pages full of everything that happens in the book. And even though I didn’t really stick to it, I did learn how to write to it somewhat. And then I took that same synopsis and turned it into a real one that I’m using as a tool to help me sell the book. It’s been a great learning experience.

I decided with this new futurstic, I want to get the plot done so when I get back from Nationals, I can start writing and hit it hard and heavy. That’s the plan anyway. I’d like to have it drafted in about two months. A really aggressive goal. So if I start August 1, my target finish date would be October 1.

I’m wondering if this book could be the start of a series… but then, I can always decide that later. You know, when I get the book done. 😉