Let me think about it

If you follow me on Facebook, you probably saw a post a few weeks ago about how I was doing a lot of thinking and being all existentially contemplative.  I was thinking about a lot of different things, but among those things was this: I may not be a traditional plotter, but I do plan out a lot in my head.

I've realized over the past few months that I can't just sit down and write.  Well, I can't sit down and write a whole story.  I have to let the first part of the story spill out of me in one big blast, but then I have to wait.  I wrote the first chapter of "Frenchie" (my current WIP) about three months ago.  Maybe more.  And since then, I built my plot wall to keep track of where I'm going, but I haven't done much more with it.  Except think.

Here's the thing - the thinking is a big part of it for me.  I had this Big Important Letter to write, and I kept putting it off and putting it off.  I drafted it in my head several dozen times, but I didn't put it down on paper.  Finally, at the last possible minute, I sat down at the computer, and it just poured out of me.  One draft, a few brief tweaks, and I was really happy with the result, as were the others who had to approve the Big Important Letter before it could be sent.

As much as I would like to be writing "Frenchie" right now, I've realized that I'm still in my equivalent of a plotting phase.  I've wondered a few times if I should write down any of my plotting, but it doesn't feel like it will help.  I'm pretty sure I just need to let it happen.

But it's almost ready... I can feel the story bubbling inside me.  Is that weird?  Maybe.  But that's just the way I work.

I didn't win

And that's not a bad thing!  Especially since I definitely did NOT finish even the first draft of the WIP.  But again, that's okay.  I've got a pretty good feel for the characters, but I get hit with inspiration at the weirdest times.  I'm rolling with it, and I'm happy with what I have so far.  Plus, I've totally got a plot wall running. Except it's sort of a pantsed plot wall.

I'm keeping notes on the physical details of characters as I go, so I keep their appearances consistent, and I'm making stickies for big plot things as I go. The thinking here is that if I keep my plot points mapped as I go, it'll be much easier to move them around when it's time to edit, since I'll already have them all written out.

We'll see how this works...