{"id":25562,"date":"2022-09-20T03:00:31","date_gmt":"2022-09-20T10:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/?p=25562"},"modified":"2022-09-16T05:56:36","modified_gmt":"2022-09-16T12:56:36","slug":"should-a-pantser-try-to-be-a-plotter-one-pantsers-shocking-true-story-by-laurel-osterkamp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/2022\/09\/20\/should-a-pantser-try-to-be-a-plotter-one-pantsers-shocking-true-story-by-laurel-osterkamp\/","title":{"rendered":"Should a Pantser Try to be a Plotter? One Pantser\u2019s Shocking True Story By Laurel Osterkamp"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Should<\/a>Let\u2019s welcome back Laurel Osterkamp<\/a> as she shares with us \u201cShould a Pantser Try to be a Plotter? One Pantser\u2019s Shocking True Story.\u201d Enjoy!<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

They never say it out loud, but the implication is there.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you are a pantser, you should try becoming a plotter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Perhaps it\u2019s true that plotting a novel first,<\/strong> rather than writing by the seat of your pants, is the better way. But I have tried, and failed at plotting too much, too soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

I am a Natural Pantser\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s got nothing to do with how creative I am– or am not.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Really, it comes down to impatience.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Forget about ironing out plot holes or doing research or making sure that my story follows a reasonable trajectory; I just want to get going.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve written some of my best work that way<\/strong>, and I think that\u2019s because for me, the main joy of writing is making discoveries as I go.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, I can also write myself into a corner if I don\u2019t have a good plan, and if the magical discoveries don\u2019t happen, then what?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I become overwhelmed and paralyzed by both too many and not enough options.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Trying to Become a Better Outliner\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Last year, I convinced myself that if I followed the perfect outline, then my book would become an immediate bestseller and a huge success.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I constructed something that\u2019s a combination of Jessica Brody\u2019s outline in <\/strong>Save the Cat Writes a Novel<\/span><\/i><\/a> and a template I found online, which is specific for romance novels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You see, last November I decided I\u2019d try my hand at romantic suspense, and I was determined to meticulously plan and write my novel during NanoWriMo.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a small sample of the outline I came up:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Act –1 Opening Image, Theme Stated, Setup, Catalyst, Debate<\/span><\/p>\n

Introduce the protagonist who feels incomplete.<\/strong> Introduce her world. Show how she is unsuccessful in relationships. Foreshadow conflict that creates problems for coming relationship. Establish non-romantic goal. Present the crime.<\/span><\/p>\n