Activity

I searched through this Plot forum to look for keys I may be missing in the skill of plotting, because plotting is OPTIMAL. I found a topic titled “How do I prevent outlining from becoming a creativity killer?“. I clicked on it thinking it perfectly defined my current struggle. Only to realize — I POSTED THAT TOPIC!! Over 1.5 years ago. So apparently, it’s still a struggle.

I love planners and making lists. I plan my homeschool year/lessons/activities. But I still struggle with doing this for writing. I enjoy the process of pantsing, but I never finish the manuscript. The plotting process is enjoyable, but makes me want to beat my head against a wall with boredom as I actually draft it. I’m positive I’m undiagnosed ADHD, but whatever. Would ADHD make a difference in optimal writing method choices?

Here’s something that happened recently:

I got stuck at 32k on a YA novel that a writer friend had been asking me to PLEASE finish. (He’s published 20-something novels). I finally just gave up and sent him my 32k mess and plot notes. I was so proud to tell him that I’d actually plotted this one.

Two days later, he sent me back some suggestions on plot, then sent a 12-scene outline, where he’d made a few sentences to summarize each of the 12 scenes that make up Act 1.

Y’all, it made the story STRONGER. And BETTER. There were a few scenes that I’ll probably change, just because of style differences (he writes in the style of Dan Brown and David Baldacci, while mine is … well … not).

Then I wilted a little. I didn’t know how to apply my self-education about strong plots as well as I thought I could. How did he plot those scenes so well? And so FAST?

I sent him back an email to say as much.

All he sent back was, “I think the answer to your question is ‘butt time’.” In other words, put your butt in the chair and get to work.

He’s always told me it’s really as easy as that … Butt in chair. GET TO WORK! He said I know everything I need to know. I’m just spending way too much time NOT writing.

I don’t have a particular question. Just looking to be in the same space as all you lovely writers (and plotters), hoping to find THE KEY I’m missing. Maybe I need to put butt in chair and GET TO WORK.

I love you all!