Guest Post by Ane Mulligan
By Ane Mulligan
That’s it! I’m a self-confessed Planster.
I think we all start with a kernel of an idea, that “what if?” After I have mine, I play with it, brainstorm it, and let it stew in my mind. While it’s simmering, I create my characters and find photos for each. I’m a very visual writer.
Once I have the photos, I interview each POV character. My character interview is 4 pages, filled with questions designed to dig out secrets and fears. The secondary characters get photos and a shorter interview.
Backstory is important. We are all the products of our parents’ and grandparents’ worldviews. We either connect with it or reject it, but it’s important to know. So for each POV character, I write a stream of consciousness backstory. By the time those are done, I’ve lived with them for a good month or two.
For me, that time is well spent up front. I believe motivation is the mortar that holds a plot together. And it’s in the character interview and the backstory where the secrets are revealed. By the time I begin to write, I know the character so well I know how each will react in any situation.
Now, I have an idea of how the story will play out. I have some scene planned and put those down in Scrivener, using the corkboard feature to storyboard. I can move those around to put into a good order.
At this point, I write a one-page synopsis, which then morphs into a 3-page one. By that time, I know where this story is going. I have my Plan. Now it’s time for the SOTP part to come out and play.
This is where the fun happens. I always have at least one character who will do something so unplanned, yet so organic to the story and the character’s personality, I let her/him run with it. It may change the story a lot or a little, but because I know the character so well, it always works.
I don’t write fast. I’ve tried throwing the story down to get that first draft, but it doesn’t work well for me. I have a very loud and obstinate inner editor. She doesn’t shut up. So I’ve given into myself. I start each day by editing yesterday’s work and getting back into my story world.
By the time I send a chapter to my critique partners, I’ve probably edited it 3 times, maybe 4. After I apply the critiques, it’s pretty much ready. When the whole manuscript has been critiqued and I’ve applied those, it’s ready for my two beta readers. After correcting anything they fined, it’s off to my agent.
While my way works for me, it may not work for another writer. But one thing that does work for all writers is:
Know your character’s core motivation. It’s the driving force of the story.
While a large, floppy straw hat is her favorite, Ane Mulligan has worn many different ones: hairdresser, legislative affairs director (that’s a fancy name for a lobbyist), drama director, multi-published playwright, humor columnist, and novelist. Her lifetime experience provides a plethora of fodder for her Southern-fried fiction (try saying that three times fast). She firmly believes coffee and chocolate are two of the four major food groups. Ane’s debut book, Chapel Springs Revival, releases Sept 8th, 2014.
I have a similar process. It’s a relief to hear I’m not the only one who likes to start the new day by editing the work from the day before to get back into that world. It’s getting a good daily routine that makes the difference. (I’m trying to get back into that after caring for my mother throughout her dementia and death.)
Thank you for your post! I’m encouraged to get going!
I SO agree, Jane. The most important thing is finding a routine and method that work, then sticking to it. Condolences on losing your mom. Mine died almost 4 years ago, and it took me a few months to get writing again routinely. Such a blessing to have moms so loved that missing them affects our lives.
Yes, I’m finally getting to the place where I can say that without a huge swell of emotion or tears. Thank you.
Jane, I was relieved when I learned Deb Raney does that too. It helps get me back into the story world. Now … get going! LOL
I’ll take that as an order!!!
SOTP (Seat Of The Pants) writer.. Planster? learning all kinds of new words here :)
It’s a new language, Deanna. There are actually some authors who can have a very basic idea of a “what if” and start writing with no plan at all. Those people are really gifted. I can’t do that. I’ve got to have some idea of where I’m going. :)
Interesting approach, Ane!. I’m a pure pantser, and while I have started with only a “what if,” I often have a scene pop into my head and start with that. I’ve taken plotting and synopsis workshops and tried plotting guides, but no words come out unless I just write.
Ruth, I’m with you. I don’t know the scene or what will happen in it until I start writing. Each sentence just flows from the previous. I do keep a list of things that will probably happen in the story at the bottom of the manuscript, but it’s rarely more than a few sentences long!
Valerie, you gals amaze me, like I told Ruth. I’ve got to have a “map” then I can let the characters highjack the story. That just happened to me yesterday, and it will change the end of my book!
I tried to outline for years, to varying degrees, and wrote stilted stories trying to force them into the mold. Writing SOTP is terrifying and exhilarating! But I can’t do it any other way and get a good story.
I don’t really outline. After the what if, I write a one page synopsis, which gives me the beginning and the end, and the idea of a few scenes that I’ll need. Then I jot down ideas of what has to happen. Then I write. Thant’s why I say PLANster instead of PLOTster. LOL
If I try to do a whole novel SOTP, I stall. I can do their backstory SOTP, but not the novel. So one I have the basic where I’m going, and the stops I need to make along the way (always loved traveling so that works as an analogy) then I turn to SOTP and let the characters have free rein. I’m always amazed at authors who can write fully SOTP. I wish! :)
I love learning from you.
Thank you, Shelli. I love to teach!!
I arrived here via an Internet rabbit trail (starting by reading your Amazon reviews, which are impressive!). I’ve been so disappointed over the years by the overall poor quality of modern Christian fiction that I’d given up on it. However, I’m a great proofreader and would like to do more proofreading and editing professionally, so I’ve been researching ways to connect with good Christian writers.
I’m sad to see this site had to be let go, but of course your explanation made sense. The article above is great–and very helpful if I ever decide to write something myself (ha).
I just wonder if anyone is interested enough in catching ALL the typos to pay a proofreader to go through a whole manuscript. I read the article quickly, but this jumped out at me–one tiny fly in the ointment. :) “After correcting anything they fined, it’s off to my agent.” Clicking through to the author’s website, I found overall good writing, but typos sprinkled throughout.
I don’t mean this to sound critical, I just have wondered for years if there’s a place for me somewhere. The world generally (and especially the Internet!) doesn’t seem to care about typos. Do authors? I’ve read a few Kindle and paperback books that are full of them even if published professionally (not self-published). I’d love to hear honest opinions from those who have been masters of the trade for years.