As a beginning writer, I have been feeling a bit lost and unsure of what to do next. I'm going to try this method, and see what I come up with. Maybe it will help me actually finish something!
quote:You can do the design work before or after you write your novel. I've done it both ways and I strongly believe that doing it first is quicker and leads to a better result.
This is not exactly an arguable point. Some writers just write the story, and then go back and do major surgery on plot, characters, milieu, and whatnot (which usually involves totally transforming the existing text). Others plan out everything before putting down word one of the text itself (I have quite a bit of the words that will actually be in the final text written down in my notes, but they aren't in the text yet).
Either way, the final story has to be the product of design. You don't just sit down and type out a single draft and send it off to become classic for all time. Design now, design later, that's the choice. Many writers need to have commited themselves to text before they can put up with the tedium of design. Many others need to have a clear design before they can put down any text. Most of us can do either. If this guy says he's done it both ways, I believe him. I've done it both ways myself.
He says he strongly believes that doing the design first is quicker and leads to a better product...I happen to believe the same thing, but I also happen to believe that he believes it (heck, he's devoted an entire article to detailing how much he believes it--I just snipe from the shadows here on Hatrack).
Still, as the man says, even the design documents aren't perfect, nor are they set in stone.
quote:It works for me and for some of my writer friends who have tried it. I hope it works for you.
Amen. Here's to hope.
P.S. I found his snowflake analogy very amusing, because I'd bet that most seat-of-my-pants writers would think it suited their own process better. The small elements of your story dictate the larger elements of your story. The shape of a snowflake is generated by the individual interactions of all the minute ice crystals forming independently to create something that has a grand structure. That's the way that nature builds a real snowflake. But in his analogy to a fractal, you let the larger elements dictate the smaller elements, so you end up with a structure that replicates the unity and intricacy of a snowflake. Ah, Analogy, will you ever cease to cut both ways?
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Thanks for the link it had some interesting ideas. If anyone reads his " perfect scene" discussion be sure to read the whole thing down to where he says to forget the rules, it shows he is familar with the old outline no outline debate.
Posts: 397 | Registered: Mar 2004
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Personally, I believe the only Proper Way to outline is to write plot point notes on strips of colored paper, coded for rising and falling action within the subplot and then colored according to each greater subplot. The papers must then be attatched to the wall using PosterTak. No other brand. And then they must be rearranged. And the colors must be pretty, as must the patterns they make. And if the display's taller than you are, you got yourself a book. (Although if you're tall, I suppose you could cheat and place things further apart.) That's my story, and I'll attack anyone who says as it's different...
Actually, it's not too different from adding in fractal iterations of plot. Definitely a good way of thinking of things.
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Gen I like this idea. I have a feeling it would work. For example, a week ago I decided to take all the phone numbers I had written on a million little slips of paper (which I could always find, btw) and write them all on a single piece of paper. I promptly recycled all of the post-its and backs of envelopes, napkins, etc. Now, I can't find the single piece of paper I wrote them down on. AHHHHHHH! Thus I conclude that fragmented organization is the way to go.
edit: For me, that is. I have no idea what works for the rest of you. I'm just flustered I lost all my phone numbers. And, no, I don't have them stored electronically as I probably should have. grrrrrrr...
[This message has been edited by Lorien (edited July 08, 2004).]
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OOH! Gen! The Rainbow Method of Writing! Catchy title, marketable idea, might work for,well... someone else.
The thing about sources for writing methods is that they're all worth taking a look at. Among them you might find just the method for you. Or you might find elements you want to try incorporating into your own work. Many of us have referred others to OSC's Character and Viewpoint. But even the Great One's ideas are his and we are free to take them or leave them.
So thanks to Lullaby Lady for pointing out another resource. And if anyone gets all offended and starts another pointless argument--all I can say is, it's a good thing we can't hear each other over these forum boards.
Now, have a nice day, dammit!
[This message has been edited by djvdakota (edited July 08, 2004).]
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Oh, Gen, no wonder I can't write anything worth it's weight in paper. I've been attaching my papers to the wall with Scotch Tape! Oh man, how embarrassing.
Posts: 1528 | Registered: Dec 2003
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I fully expect an acknowledgement in the published book for turning you onto the right product, you understand. Posts: 253 | Registered: Jan 2004
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I had a post all ready to...well, to post, and it was funny, and poignant, and just so damned good...and pointless. There was no real reason to add it to the discussion, as it's been said before, and likely would have started another argument, so on, and so on.
So instead, I'll just add this:
quote:Now, have a nice day, dammit!
The funniest thing I've ever read or heard. Great stuff.
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Thus I conclude that fragmented organization is the way to go.
