Writer's Tool Box, Writing TIPS

Do I sketch out the plot of my novel before starting it or do I allow my characters to lead the way?

Ann Malley

NO fooling. There are different ways to approach a story, but each carries its own consequences.

Check in with Florence Witkop, author of The Man from Yesterday, for some writerly wisdom that could save YOU some serious time. And, please, follow me if you’d like to continue this journey of learning, laughing, and generally having a BLAST. I know I am.

Write on!

Which is better, sketching the plot before writing or jumping in and letting characters dictate the way  the story develops?

There are two ways to write a story. Their proponents are called plotters and pantsers. Plotters sketch the plot before starting the story, pantsers just sit at their computer and start writing, letting the characters tell them what comes next.

Both are fine. Depends on which kind of person you are. And how you want to spend your writing time.

Plotters spend a lot of time discovering their characters and their story before they write so when they sit down at their computers, all they have to do is tell the story.

Pantsers don’t do that but they spend a whole lot more time writing. It’s estimated that a finished novel goes through 10 rewrites before being published. That figure would be less if pantsers weren’t included. But pantsers don’t…

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Published by Ann Malley

Honestly? I write about real women battling for their happily-ever-after. You know the kind. Look in the mirror. Deadly choices that demand faith feature in my romantic suspenses. Personal demons, defeated by embracing self, haunt my clean romances. My head, too. Kicking those snark monsters to the curb is a must do for every heroine. Heroes, too. I'm no sexist. Fun and frolic are what's for dinner in my sweet shorts. (Short stories, although my shorts have been known to frolic, but don't spread that around :^) When not writing, which is almost never, I get cozy with my forever friend. My husband Greg, aka: The Grinch Who Stole My Mattress. I also love to harangue my three grown and flown children. Wonder why they left home? I don't. But my spooky little kitty named Boo and her alter ego Peanut (Formerly known as the Anti-Boo) keep me feeling loved. They may be in it for the tuna. Follow me on social media and sign up for my newsletter and you'll be able to clue me in soon enough. I can't wait!!

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