I had every intention of finishing my manuscript in 2015. After all, when I made the decision to dedicate myself to writing full-time, ten months still remained in the new year.
And yet here I sit, at the beginning of 2016, with a draft that is five, maybe six, chapters shy of being a completed story. The bones — and then some — are all there. The beginning has been polished to a fare-thee-well. The climactic scene, in one final twist of (what I hope is) shock and irony, is followed by a logical and satisfying denouement. Between the two lie twists and turns, subplots, clues, and red herrings. What’s missing are the last bits of connective tissue that will tie all that bone and flesh together into the recognizable shape that is a COMPLETED MANUSCRIPT.
Somewhere along the way I realized it. I should have outlined this story. What I had done instead was much more of a synopsis: long on generalization, short on detail. I suppose I could blame it on my naivete. From some heretofore unknown wellspring of imagination, a story came to me. More precisely, a fragment of a story, although I didn’t know that at the time. In my excitement, I plunged ahead, full of optimism and confidence, anxious to get my tail in the chair and my tale on paper. You see, I am, or at least I have been, a pantser. Writing by the seat of my pants, that is. While that approach can take many an author straight through from beginning to end, it does not work for all. This I learned late. About 40,000 words into the book late.
If there’s anything that can beat optimism and confidence out of you, it’s the dawning realization that, despite having a good story to tell, you don’t know what the hell you’re doing. It’s demoralizing, deflating, and depressing. Some days, it can be downright paralyzing.
So, what to do when you’re convinced you’ve written yourself neatly into a corner? Well, in my case, you start by studying those who’ve gone before, all those authors you admire and want to emulate and follow into a successful writing career. Surprise! Apparently, at one time or another, they’ve all experienced that beaten feeling — and some still do, years and piles of best-selling books later. Including those you think never would.
You apply yourself to the craft of writing. You read and study and join other writers in the journey. You take classes and complete workbooks. You attend conferences and workshops. And slowly you begin to believe that, yes, there is enough here to reinflate those dreams … and you have what it takes to do it.
This year, there will be no resolutions, no timetables, certainly no more self-flagellation. Just the writing, the blessed, awful, wonderful, tortuous writing. And a better-late-than-never outline to guide the rest of the way.
And so I write on.
Keep on trucking! I’m a pantser, too, but I find what works best for me is to start outlining as I go. I find it helps me organize what I’m doing. I put each scene, with chapter number, on an index card so I have a “moveable” outline, and put them all on a big bulletin board. I also find when I stall I just plunge in and try to keep writing and those little connective issues tend to make themselves clear. It’s hard to keep going sometimes though when you feel you’re flying blind. The secret is to keep going anyway. Can’t wait to read the finished product!
Maureen, having you in my corner is a real gift. Thank you for the words of hard-earned wisdom. I am working hard to follow you into the Published Writers Club.
Hi L.C., I’m a pantser too, I completed 4 out of my intended 6 first drafts last year, I usually start banging my head against a wall around the 20k mark. Then I grab a pen and write out a quick premise, and take the rest of the day off! I have a few Pantser posts on my blog you might be interested in.
I also get up and dance. I know weird, but I put on music that is themed to my story, and then get lost in the music. I open my mind to my story, asking to be guided to the next scene or scenes, it usually it works.
Anyway, if you want to chat about about writing, pantsing or anything else, I’d love to connect. 🙂 Awesome blog on the perils of pantsing, thanks for sharing!
To paraphrase Jerry Seinfeld, “But I don’t wanna be a pantser!” LOL!! I’ll be sure to look up those blog posts you mentioned, S.K. Thanks! 😉
Keep on writing! You’re great!
Thanks, Laura! I’m writing every day, looking to finish the first draft of the first book in the series shortly. Then on to outlining the second, and back to Book #1 for editing.