For years, I defaulted to outlines out of fear and an almost moral obligation, even though it never worked for me. Many teachers and even great authors are guilty of spreading misinformation, suggesting that all forms of discovery writing are inferior because the writer is just fooling around or somehow not putting in the proper amount of work. There’s a lot of judgment surrounding discovery writing, which I bought into. Eventually, I had to recognize that I never completed a single decent manuscript by outlining. I only won a contest or got published when I used discovery writing along the lines described here-not simply throwing words down, but using intuition, looking for story beats, watching to see if I’m developing a through line or building towards emotional high points, etc.
Emily, thank you for a fantastic comment. There's never, ever "one right way to write" and it's so disheartening when writers are told there is! Glad you found the best way for you x
I really enjoyed this video. I am a pantser myself. And Im convinced that reading a lot or seeing a ton of books and movies "teaches" your feeling of how a story has to work. I started reading Stephen King when I was 9 or 10 and ALWAYS watched many, many movies. You get a feeling for whats happening in your story and when. But I also ended up in a corner once. I killed a character that I actually NEEDED in the end to do something important. So I changed it. Discovery writing is a wonderful way of seeing a movie in your head, while creating it at the same time. I could never outline. I always start with an idea and find the beats, plots and important points while Im at writing.
I was a pantser for decades. It took so long to plan that by time I finished, my mind was already on the next big thing...until I discovered AI. It's a brainstorming monster. I was able to fill out my 3 act structure over a weekend, and I even had reference artwork for my characters, and locations. I'll never go back to being a pantser. There's so much less editing involved when your novel is properly planned in advance.
This was very helpful. I have been doing discovery writing for over 30 yrs now, fan fiction, short stories, different genres to learn the structure through reading and editing. I now think I'm ready to publish my fantasy romance series of 5. It has taken me a long time as I am dyslexic.
I write differently with every project. Some projects I write out a list of things that I want to happen. Other projects I just have a basic idea. I rarely ever know who the characters are. I never know what the entire story will be.
I'm definitely a discovery writer. I read "Survival kit for writers who don't write right" by Patricia McLinn after listening to an interview with her q couple of years go and bingo. It all made sense.
The more I listen to plotter vs panster talks, the more I realize they're exactly the same. It's just the "when" you figure out the next step that changes.
![Effective Discovery Writing with Carol Berg [interview]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/G9gFjK6c668/mqdefault.jpg)
For years, I defaulted to outlines out of fear and an almost moral obligation, even though it never worked for me. Many teachers and even great authors are guilty of spreading misinformation, suggesting that all forms of discovery writing are inferior because the writer is just fooling around or somehow not putting in the proper amount of work. There’s a lot of judgment surrounding discovery writing, which I bought into.
Eventually, I had to recognize that I never completed a single decent manuscript by outlining. I only won a contest or got published when I used discovery writing along the lines described here-not simply throwing words down, but using intuition, looking for story beats, watching to see if I’m developing a through line or building towards emotional high points, etc.
Emily, thank you for a fantastic comment. There's never, ever "one right way to write" and it's so disheartening when writers are told there is! Glad you found the best way for you x
I really enjoyed this video.
I am a pantser myself. And Im convinced that reading a lot or seeing a ton of books and movies "teaches" your feeling of how a story has to work. I started reading Stephen King when I was 9 or 10 and ALWAYS watched many, many movies. You get a feeling for whats happening in your story and when.
But I also ended up in a corner once. I killed a character that I actually NEEDED in the end to do something important. So I changed it.
Discovery writing is a wonderful way of seeing a movie in your head, while creating it at the same time.
I could never outline. I always start with an idea and find the beats, plots and important points while Im at writing.
Totally agree re absorbing story from books & movies! ~ Shar
I was a pantser for decades. It took so long to plan that by time I finished, my mind was already on the next big thing...until I discovered AI. It's a brainstorming monster. I was able to fill out my 3 act structure over a weekend, and I even had reference artwork for my characters, and locations. I'll never go back to being a pantser. There's so much less editing involved when your novel is properly planned in advance.
It's fascinating how our processes can change for the better!
This was very helpful. I have been doing discovery writing for over 30 yrs now, fan fiction, short stories, different genres to learn the structure through reading and editing. I now think I'm ready to publish my fantasy romance series of 5. It has taken me a long time as I am dyslexic.
Oh wow, so nice to not be alone! Thanks ladies!
You are so welcome!
I write differently with every project. Some projects I write out a list of things that I want to happen. Other projects I just have a basic idea. I rarely ever know who the characters are. I never know what the entire story will be.
That sounds a great way to keep your interest up!
@@SPAGirlsPodcast it helps me write faster than I would otherwise.
I'm definitely a discovery writer. I read "Survival kit for writers who don't write right" by Patricia McLinn after listening to an interview with her q couple of years go and bingo. It all made sense.
Pat is a wonderful writing teacher. She's got another episode coming up with us in the next few weeks, so keep an eye or ear out! ~ Shar
The more I listen to plotter vs panster talks, the more I realize they're exactly the same. It's just the "when" you figure out the next step that changes.
That's a really interesting point! ~ Shar
Where is Shar? Hope she's not ill.
Unfortunately I had to miss this recording :) ~ Shar
@@SPAGirlsPodcast Aww, hope to see you next time
Thank you ladies
You are so welcome!