How I Write
I am what is known in the business, as a pantser – one who writes by the seat of their pants, just letting the words tumble out onto the page (Steven King, George R. R. Martin, Mark Twain). At the other end of the spectrum are plotters. They create detailed outlines and character profiles before they start writing and keep refining this information as they write (J.K. Rowlings, John Grisham). I started out a pure pantser with Aiyanna, Time Witch but became a plantster (somewhere in-between). After chapter two I started writing, long hand, in a dedicated spiral-bound notebook. I write down anything: plot ideas, themes, possible future scenes, brainstorming, abbreviated character profiles (I typical focus on motivations, short-term goals, and conflict – both internal and external).
-
Prose
I always write in my pajamas.
I am what is known in the business, as a ‘pantser’ – one who writes by the seat of their pants (pajamas), just letting the words tumble out onto the page (Steven King, George R. R. Martin, Mark Twain). The characters, and the story, go in directions I wasn’t prepared for (yikes but fun).
At the other end of the spectrum are ‘plotters’. They create detailed outlines and character profiles before they start writing, and keep refining this information as they write (J.K. Rowlings, John Grisham, not me).
I started out a pure pantser with Aiyanna, Time Witch but became a ‘plantster’ (somewhere in-between). After chapter two I started writing, long-hand, in a dedicated spiral-bound notebook. I write down anything: plot ideas, themes, possible future scenes, brainstorming, who might die, abbreviated character profiles (I typically focus on motivations, short-term goals, and conflict – both internal and external), a phrase I like but have no idea where it will go, Ven diagrams – anything that comes to mind. There is no organization or order in the notebook – when I remember something that I think I wrote down I have to flip through the pages to find it. Often seeing some note I totally forgot about.
I continued this practice with Battle Under the Many Colored Moons. In the end, about 35%-45% of the material in each notebook made it into the book, and about 70%-75% of the book has no connection to its notebook. So, more a pantser!
-
Poetry
Writing poetry is very different. First, my muse, whatever that means, has to be present. That, I have no control over. Many of the poems come to me 30%-70% complete. Often, I feel the muse, so I sit down and start with a phrase, not knowing where it will take me. Examples: 1) my heart is full started with a Heinlein book title I like: The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, 2) this moment of the storm, velvet darkness, and hanging on a maybe came from the title phrase. About half the time, I do know what tone the poem will set, and/or the ending (a couple times the beginning, e.g., key of black, both mood, and opening phrase based on the Ellison story). Also, black tulips (mood) and wandering and bound together (ending).
About eight of the poems were written for a girlfriend/ spouse (e.g., Be with Me – here I started with the first stanza, proceeded linearly with the next two, and then POW – the final stanza came to me). (gladly) began with how much I love the ocean and sky. I did not know what kind of poem it would be – the third line appeared and I knew where it was going.
-
How I Started Writing
All in all, I love to write and want as many people as possible I don’t know to read it. Then hopefully they like it enough to read another book – any book. Or give my book to a friend to read.
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies... The man who never reads lives only one.”