Question for Idol Writers

[Cassie88]

I'm rereading Ann Lamotts Bird by Bird. Some years ago, I'd written on the inside cover....

ABDCE

Action, Background, Development, Climax, Ending

I think I was taking in a writer's workshop when I first bought the book.

Do any of you guys follow this formula?

Cassie

[Duncan J Macdonald]

I'm rereading Ann Lamotts Bird by Bird. Some years ago, I'd written on the inside cover....

ABDCE

Action, Background, Development, Climax, Ending

I think I was taking in a writer's workshop when I first bought the book.

Do any of you guys follow this formula?

CassieNo, I follow no plan. I look at the topic, and think of a basic story line, or sometimes just a character's name. Usually, though, I look at the situation the same way I did back when I was DMing D&D. (as an aside, I once played in a Tournament Dungeon where Gary Gygax was the Guest DM.) That means I always try to figure what is expected, then try to do the opposite.
While I recognize that the elements you listed should be present, I carry no checklist.

[jdkiggins]

ABDCE

Action, Background, Development, Climax, Ending

Do any of you guys follow this formula?

Cassie

Cassie,
I guess I'll step up to the plate and answer. I've tried the ABDCE formula and The Marshall Plan, but I have to say I can not write by a formula, a plotting guide or an outline.

I jot down notes and ideas only, and in no particular order.

When I sit down to write, I start typing and continue until I'm finished. Then I read the entire piece and decide if parts need moved. There are times when my first few beginning paragraphs become the ending to my story.

Of course my statements are concerning short stories and novels. When writing profiles, opt-eds and articles, I normally always follow the Five W's & H. The Who, What, When, Where, Why & How?

Sometimes I actually answer all the questions. :D

[William Haskins]

typically i work from an outline on anything longer than 10,000 words. but in short fiction, and particularly in this contest, it's closer to stream-of-consciousness than anything else.

HOWEVER...

i've been writing for a long time (this is not a claim that i'm any good at it, mind you), and i've absorbed from extensive reading and writing the dynamics of coherent and compelling fiction.

so while i don't consciously view it as a formula, they find their way in (not necessarily that formula, and i would dispute the necessity of that order).

anyway...

-william

[Cassie88]

Thanks guys.

I think for someone like me, who hasn't written a story in a while, it may be a useful device. At least until I feel a more comfortable.

Commenting on what Joanne said about moving the first paragraphs to the end...I know this use to happen to me often and the paragraphs were either moved or deleted.

[William Haskins]

there's nothing wrong with trying out different methods while you find your stride. just don't let it imprison you.

[Cassie88]

Gotcha! Love your picture, William.

[William Haskins]

dammit

[BlueTexas]

I usually have an outline in mind, and sometimes I put it on paper before I write a short story. The actual writing is more stream of consciousness, and sometimes I go back and apply the outline afterward. Sometimes not.

For non-fic articles, I always have an outline. I'm lost without one.

I'm struggling with my first novel, and I'm outlining it.

[firehorse]

My process is usually to throw the entire bucket of pasta against the wall and then sculpt a story out of the strands that remain. During this contest, however, I've begun writing more succinct first drafts.

Like Haskins and Joanne, I've both studied various scaffoldings (I like that better than 'formulas') and absorbed a great deal by osmosis. At some point, it becomes instinct. I'm big on the basic elements of the Hero's Journey and McKee's stuff, but only as a guideline - for example, if I get stuck, or when I want to go back and assess what I've written. At the risk of raising PA sensors, I do believe in resonance, and it's something I strive for... right now.

I go by gut instinct. Usually I'll write a bit and then do an outline, or my first draft functions as an outline.

I change up styles often, usually unconsciously. Lately, I've been on a kick of weaving several times frames together. If I'm going to tell a past and a present, I'd rather they be parallel stories, but it's much easier said than done.

Brainstorming trick:
Especially when I'm under deadline, I brainstorm using a thesaurus. I pick a word at random and come up with ten possible story nuggets, no matter how ridiculous they are. I do this with maybe ten words; then I go back and pick out maybe five to develop into a two- or three- sentence description. If I don't come up with anything interesting, I go back to the thesaurus.

Outlines:
When I'm writing an article based on interviews, I always pick the quotes I want to use first. Because of my interview style (casual, conversational), the quotes will usually tell me how to structure the story.

Hope this helps! (And if not, well, just move on to the next post ;))

[Cassie88]

dammit


I'm sorry.

[mommie4a]

One reason I'm terrified of fiction is because I fear that I'd need to rely on my ability to outline, which stinks.

I tend to write short, though I have a few longer assignments (2K words is longer for me). For those, I do jot out what I want to accomplish or be sure I say or cover. Then I might put down a sentence for each of those ideas and then fill in the blanks inbetween with what I want to say about each topic.

Sometimes that works but often it doesn't. It really depends on the subject matter.

Then - many times for me, I sit down and do the "write like you're writing a letter to someone" where I'm telling the story of what I want to say or tell someone (by showing of course!).

THEN...I integrate all these drafts. Yes, I really can have anywhere from five to seven drafts that I ply together.

I know, there's got to be an easier way!