MeltIntoSpring
Junior Member
"Enchanting little ritual. Something you learned at the.. Abbey?"
Posts: 75
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Post by MeltIntoSpring on Jan 30, 2022 0:04:13 GMT
Okay, so I feel like I might need to explain why I created this particular thread. I am currently writing The Manual of Engagement, but I have been writing in order, then in reverse, then everywhere in between (thank God I actually have a plan for the story in my head). I was talking to friend of mine, and she said she could never write in that way. I never have before either. So I was wondering if this was something that others do, or am I completely alone in this? Lol. How do you prefer to write and organise your chapters? Do you always write chronologically? Or do you get a burst of inspiration to write a chapter further down the line? I have attached a pic to explain what I mean.  |
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galan
Full Member
I have destroyed this story multiple times, and I regret nothing.
Posts: 119
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Post by galan on Jan 30, 2022 1:20:41 GMT
I think my answer will be somewhat complicated. The way I've been writing lately is to have a somewhat dynamic outline, so that it's easy to shift things around if I decide a moment needs to move before or later, I don't have to go through and renumber everything. (I learned that was a better way from writing an 84 chapter story.) I will often write ahead when a thought hits because I have to have some sort of plot to work from, but I'm happy to add things as I go. (Again, learning.) And sometimes, if you're stuck, going to a point you understand and know is critical can help, even if you have to revise it later.
I wonder, does anyone else have this process in writing a chapter? (I.e., I think this is a complicated procedure.) I've been writing for 30 years and I only figured this out 6/7 years ago. (Slow learner.)
-clear idea notes
-proper(ish) outline
-screenplay time (write out all the dialogue with minimal notes about blocking to really focus on voice)
-first pass on prose
-second pass on prose
-let it sit, then third pass before the final edit (sometimes, it needs a fourth...or more)
It seems inefficient to me, but it is so helpful to just focus on the voices in your head, lol, especially if you're presenting them in a different light.
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laurynvi
Full Member
I ask you to stay.
Posts: 212
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Post by laurynvi on Feb 1, 2022 3:13:05 GMT
I always write chronologically. I get confused about the tone and the dynamics and the entire flow when I try to jump around. For long stories, I do have a "master outline" where I continually add things as I think of them (eg. a snippet of conversation or bit of prose or something logistically to move the story). I do go back and revise previous chapters but they are rarely large revisions.
Within the chapter, I copy-paste that bit of the outline into a new document and draw up a more detailed outline with some conversation sketches and some prose. Then I write until I get stuck, then go back to the beginning and take another pass at what I'd written - usually by the time I get to where I left off I'm able to work out the kink. After I get the first draft done I go back and focus on the parts that don't flow well or work out awkward bits of conversation. - Not sure if efficient either... still figuring it out along the way.
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Post by scullypout on Mar 5, 2022 2:17:20 GMT
I write on my phone on my notes app lmao. If I have an idea either one of two things happen: I’ve either come up with a two sentence summary and I create a ‘note’ for it, or I day dream the story almost entirely word for word, then decide it’s actually not terrible and write it down. When I wrote ‘In A Look’, it was the latter. I daydreamed the first chapter almost entirely, then decided I wanted to write it down and post it (I never intended to write a story, it really was just a daydream - which is why it’s in 1st person too). It was also meant to be a stand alone chapter and I never intended there to be any more (as it was just a daydream).
When I do actually write things, it goes one of two ways: if it’s a story I came up with a 2 sentence summary for, I flesh it out in bullets (I’m working on a law degree with ADHD so my entire life is bulleted) until it practically turns into prose. If it’s a daydream, I write prose almost instantly (because I’ve spent hours choosing the right words), but I jump from paragraph to paragraph (ADHD) if I struggle to articulate a thought so I don’t get bogged down.
I’m really particularly about how my prose flows. The one thing I am not very good at is dialogue, and I’m sure that if anyone has read my stories, I’m sure it’ll come as no surprise that I don’t like to do what I’m not good at.
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