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@nataliecone

So often my ideas come to me in a single glimpse of a single scene. When I sit down to describe the scene, everything else before and after that scene suddenly appears. The more I write it out, the deeper it goes, and more unfolds.

It’s like a true pantser way of doing things. For YEARS I’ve tried to train myself to plot and write linear and chronologically.

Ah, that’s really cool! I occasionally get the ‘single scene’ ideas, but so far those have always been for short stories! For novels it usually starts with a world or concept idea, and then I plot from there.

I very recently discovered that even though I am very much a plotter for long-form work, I am a pantser when it comes to short-form work. I used to be completely unable to write short stories because I couldn’t ‘come up with all of it’ before writing. Recently, I took those scene glimpses and just sat down and wrote a story in one or two sittings, even without knowing anything about the story itself! It’s been a great joy! It hasn’t made me less of a plotter for long-form work though XD

A very good writer friend said, “I don’t like pantsers. I don’t trust them.” He says it with a smirk because he knows I fight so hard against my pantser ways. He’s a detailed plotter (spends like 2 months outlining before he drafts the first page)

Lollll I relate to that, I both admire and fear pantsers. They do what is impossible for me, plunge into the darkness of an idea with more courage than I could ever manage XD I need to Know Things XD

From that book I gave myself permission to just write the way I write. To just let it flow the way it flows. Because God wired my brain that way.

I’ve fallen in love with writing all over again, and it has been YEARS since I’ve felt this way. It feels like coming home.

I’m so glad you found a way that works for you! Figuring out how your writing process looks is always one of the biggest and hardest parts of writing, but it’s so rewarding!

I also saw you have some short stories on your website! I’ll probably read some of them later, I’m really curious!

How long have you been writing?