Comments for Self-Published Authors Helping Other Authors

Comment on How To Write By The Seat of Your Pants by georgianaderwent

georgianaderwent — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:56:10 +0000

Hmmm, I think it’s probably faster on balance. Although all my books so far are part of the same series, so it’s a bit quicker to write the third one anyway as all the characters are well developed.

I didn’t find it took me long to write the full outline at all – three days at most. Again though, the “third book factor” helped because I already knew what the basic plot was meant to be, it was just a case of filling in the details.

If I’d tried to outline the first book, I can imagine having spent weeks working on it, not quite being able to understand in my head how the characters should interact.

That said, once Ivory Terrors (The Cavaliers: Book Three) is completed and published and the series is complete, I’m starting a new series, called The Separation of Powers, and I think I’ll try to do a proper outline for that one too, although I bet I won’t be able to resist cheating and writing a few scenes beforehand.

Comment on How To Write By The Seat of Your Pants by Brian Bixby

Brian Bixby — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:25:40 +0000

You’re welcome. And I must thank you in turn for your advice. Doing more than one book at a time . . . ah, I thought I was violating a major rule! Nice to know someone else, you, had the courage to say so in electronic print!

Comment on How To Write By The Seat of Your Pants by Ruth Ann Nordin

Ruth Ann Nordin — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:19:12 +0000

I’m inspired to try some plotting for my next book after hearing how the plotters are doing it. I already sat down and plotted ideas (rough plotting) for chapters I’m about to work on. But I think I’ll see what I can do with outlining (being willing to let the story change and revise the outline as I go). It might turn out that there will be a mix between the two that will work best for me. One problem with not having an outline is that I get stuck at some point and have to take a break until I come up with other ideas. At the moment, I’m also juggling some scenes around in a book (due to lack of organized thought).

Comment on How To Write By The Seat of Your Pants by Ruth Ann Nordin

Ruth Ann Nordin — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:14:48 +0000

I’m curious about something. Do you think the plotting method shortened the entire time you wrote the book (starting from the time you plotted it out) to finishing the first draft? Or do you think it took about the same amount of time as when you did it by the seat of your pants? I’m liking the idea of trying an outline. Like you, I can see that I’d have the story change on me (it always ends up differently than what I intended), but if I stop at the point of change and revise the outline, maybe the system would be doable.

I agree. The blank page is the worst thing that can happen to a writer. You can’t do anything with it.

Comment on How To Write By The Seat of Your Pants by Ruth Ann Nordin

Ruth Ann Nordin — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:10:26 +0000

My hearing isn’t great either. Fortunately, I saw the words first, but if I hadn’t, I would have thought the same as you. God knows I’ve messed up a lot of words that end up being spelled differently than what I thought they’d be. Now I ask my children what the word is to make sure I got it right.

I think those are excellent times to start plotting things out. Sometimes I’ll do that, too, especially when I’m not sure what comes next. Doing it when things get complicated and to organize the story are excellent reasons, too. I love the tips. And thanks for the link!