Quit Plotting and Write

Get out of your head and into your body and write.

Don't worry about being brilliant for now. Stay in the moment of writing the scene. Revel in the partnership with the muse. Writers often complain about how lonely writing is. You're never alone. You're being held up and supported. Let it come.

Create a writing goal. Make it specific and achievable. Write it in the present tense as if it has already happened.

How many pages today to achieve your writing goal?

To attain your goal, surround yourself with writers who are actively striving toward their goals.

• Mark on the calendar the day you plan to finish this draft of your story.

• Assess what you have accomplished thus far in your story and determine the total number of pages you need to finish (or start) in order to reach the end. Multiple by 250 for the total number of words necessary to tell your story (250 words
per page). Divide that by the number of writing days between your goal date and today.

• Work your way backward on the calendar to determine how many words you need to write every writing day and approximately how much time you need to allocate to each session. You may find that to accomplish your goal you have to wake an hour earlier or stay up an hour later than you currently do. You might have to limit commitments and daily-life obligations in order to put yourself and your writing first.

• Schedule your writing days and times in pen on your calendar.

Dreams never leave. They hound, haunt, whisper, and beckon you nearer to that which you most fear. It is easy to quit. To reach that which you long for most, the treasure you seek, you first must write the story...

To familiarize yourself with the Universal Story and the basic plot terms in the above blog post:

1) Read The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master (Now also as a Kindle edition)

2) Watch the Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. A directory of all the steps to the series is to the right of this post. 27-step tutorial on Youtube

3 Watch the Monday Morning Plot Book Group Series on YouTube. A directory the book examples and plot elements discussed is to the left of this post.

For additional tips and information about the Universal Story and plotting a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

Plot for Pantsers

Question via Twitter:
@plotwhisperer So what's the best way to plot as you write for those of us who are pantsers but need to meet deadlines? :) @JillKentAuthor Jillian Kent

Answer via Blogger:
Your query is a bit like hearing two non-harmonious sounds clash together -- Plot and Pansters.

1) Every story, whether written by a plotter or a pantser, must fulfill basic needs demanded by a reader -- something must happen (dramatic action plot) to someone (character emotional plot) in a meaningful way (thematic plot) = PLOT -- the noun. Thus, whether you plan it out ahead of time or write to discover as you go, your ultimate goal is to fulfill these basic requirement.

My first suggestion requires discipline so I am reluctant to use it. Somewhere along the line in history, discipline went from having at its core disciple to being a form of punishment. "You will be disciplined for breaking the rules."

So instead, why not apply the word ritual to what I suggest. Create for yourself a sacred ritual.

One time a day, everyday, preferably at the same time and place every session, write.

Another time of day, everyday, preferably at the same time and place every session study plot.

If you're a pantser, you'll like balk at lots of what you read both for how the information is presented and for the information itself. Lots of it will feel confusing and jarring, counter-intuitive.

Search for doors you're drawn to open when it comes to the new plot ideas. Explore the concepts. Look for them in your favorite books. Determine what authors you admire do to create in you admiration for their writing. The more you understand basic plot and structure based on the Universal Story, the more inclined you may become to plot -- the verb.

The more you understand the Universal Story, the less blind you fly. You're able to anticipate where your writing is taking you and take an active role in coaxing what comes into a pleasing form for the reader.

(Disclosure: the following is a shameful act of taking advantage of the sincere query above)
I wrote The Plot Whisperer book for women just like you, Jillian. Lots of my very best friends and family are right-brain, big picture creative, female pantser. Women who fly by the seat of their pants as they are constantly attempting to bring to material form the whimsy their imaginations whisper. I wrote the book for them and for you...

For more support about plot:

***I am giving away 4 free autographed copies of the book AND

and a Scene Tracker Kit.

To enter, simply comment on each of fourteen blogs that took part in the mega-blog book tour

and listed on the Master Schedule. As one writer says of the experience: "I feel like I just took in a 2 hour writing workshop in a few minutes." (when you have accomplished this feat, send me an email with your snail mail address and I'll ship your plot tools)

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. A directory of all the steps to the series is to the right of this post.

For more tips about how to use plot and the Universal Story in your novel, memoir or screenplay, read: The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
and visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (we hope you "like" it)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

Plot the Beginning of Your Novel, Memoir, Screenplay

Take a moment to assess where you are in writing your story now that you're 4 days into NaNoWriMo.

To ensure that you stay on track and write a solid beginning, middle and end by the end of November, stand back from your writing for a minute and consider the following.

Tuesday marks the day you and your protagonist enter the exotic world.

Begin opening up to the idea of pulling the beginning together so you're sure to be writing the End of the Beginning scene on Monday.

For support:

Plotting the Beginning
Energy Anatomy of Stories
Plot the Dramatic Plot
Plot the Character Emotional Development Plot
The Three Major Plotlines

***I am giving away 4 free autographed copies of The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master AND

and Scene Tracker Kit (which includes Blockbuster Plots Pure & Simple).

To win, simply comment on each of fourteen blogs that took part in the mega-blog book tour

listed on the Master Schedule. As one writer says of the experience: "I feel like I just took in a 2 hour writing workshop in a few minutes."

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. A directory of all the steps to the series is to the right of this post.

For more tips about how to use plot and the Universal Story in your novel, memoir or screenplay, read: The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
and visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (we hope you "like" it)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

Day Ten: 2-Week NaNoWriMo-themed Blog Book Tour for the New Plot Whisperer Book

In celebration of the final day in the two-week blog tour and the successful release of The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master, I am giving away 4 free autographed copies of the book.

To enter, simply comment on each of the three following blogs AND for the book and a Scene Tracker Kit, leave a comment at every single blog on the tour and listed on the Master Schedule below. As one writer says: "I feel like I just took in a 2 hour writing workshop in a few minutes." Drawing happens next week. Time to be determined. Check back for details...

Today The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master is featured at 3 blogs:

*Friday, October 28th
Uma Krishnaswami
I met Uma years ago during a plot consultation. That she teaches writing in the MFA/Writing for Children and YA program of Vermont College of Fine Arts and came to me for plot help thrilled me -- both that she came from such a prestigious literary school and that she came from such a prestigious literary school.

When a new picture book of hers came out, I was honored to host a stop on her blog tour for: Out of the Way! Out of the Way! Hers was only the second blog tour I had had first-hand experience with. The first experience had left an unpleasant feeling when I found out that the piece I had posted on my blog was a generic one she had posted elsewhere.

I wanted to write something about plot, being the plot whisperer and all, but... I couldn't find a plot. I challenged myself and in the process saw deeper into the true energy of the Universal Story. To read my review of her book,

click here.

In her interview with me about the Plot Whisperer book, she once again challenges me about plot...

Linda Joy Myers (President, National Association of Memoir Writers) at Memories and Memoirs
Linda and I met each other years ago through Teresa LeYung Ryan. Linda has always been passionate about teaching wounded people how to use memoir writing as a healing tool. As the women she works with begin to heal, they also get serious about their writing. Linda would lead a procession of car from the San Francisco bay area to my home in Los Gatos bearing the yummiest and gooey-est and still warm chocolate muffins.

Linda always swept in with a spirit of discovery. Because she did, everyone else did, too. Because of Linda's warm and real and accepting embrace, the depth to which we could move into plot and the Universal Story revealed yet another layer.

Debbie Ridpath Ohi
 at Inky Girl
I smile as I write this and, at the same time, I am speechless...

Truly, I am speechless...

Go see for yourself the most incredible, amazing, generous, loving, incredible... did I already say that? I could say it 1000 times more and still not convey the depth of my gratitude to Debbie. What a talent...

*********
Comment to win:
1) Uma Krishnaswami
2) Linda Joy Myers (President, National Association of Memoir Writers) at Memories and Memoirs
3) Debbie Ridpath Ohi
 at Inky Girl
**********

Master Schedule of the 2-week blog tour for the Plot Whisperer book.

For step-by-step guidance into pre-plotting your novel, memoir, screenplay, refer to:
The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit the Monday Plot Book Group series (A directory to this 2nd plot series is to the left of this post and scroll down a bit) and visit the first Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. (A directory of all the steps to the 1st plot series is to the right of this post.)
and visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (for up-to-the-minute news on plot events, giveaways and inspiration)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

Day Nine: 2-Week NaNoWriMo-themed Blog Book Tour for the New Plot Whisperer Book

Today The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master is featured:

*Thursday, October 27th
Vivian Lee Mahoney at Consider yourself warned: I write books about rebels (NOTE: just my sort of writer!!)

Interview about the Universal Story. Vivian asks me common mistakes writers make. My answer may surprise you. She covers theme and also asks, just how much tension is too much tension? Lastly, she asks me about my favorite subject -- the Universal Story, not from a writing point of view but what the Universal Story teaches each of us as human beings...

Master Schedule of the 2-week blog tour for the Plot Whisperer book.

For step-by-step guidance into pre-plotting your novel, memoir, screenplay, refer to:
The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit the Monday Plot Book Group series (A directory to this 2nd plot series is to the left of this post and scroll down a bit) and visit the first Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. (A directory of all the steps to the 1st plot series is to the right of this post.)
and visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (for up-to-the-minute news on plot events, giveaways and inspiration)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

2-Week NaNoWriMo-themed Blog Book Tour for the New Plot Whisperer Book

In celebration of the two-week blog tour to welcome the successful release of The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master, I am giving away 4 free autographed copies of the book.

To enter, simply comment on each of the fourteen following blogs that hosted a stop along the tour. As one writer says of the experience: "I feel like I just took in a 2 hour writing workshop in a few minutes."

Winners are chosen randomly and awarded The Plot Whisperer book AND a Scene Tracker Kit.

Master Schedule

The following writers are participating in the 2-week NaNoWriMo-themed Blog Plot Book Tour The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master

Blog Plot Book Tour Master Schedule
Week One
*Monday, October 17th
Janet Fox at Through the Wardrobe
Guest post on revision techniques for writers wanting to use the structure and spirit of Nanowrimo for a major rewrite. First, follow the tips I provide on how to re"vision" your story.

*Tuesday, October 18th
Teresa LeYung Ryan at Love Made of Heart
Author and writing coach, Teresa and I have been friends for years. Hers is a more personal impression of energetic markers and thematic significance.

*Wednesday, October 19th
Becky Levine at Moving Forward on the Writing Path
Becky is similar to me in her love of writing and exploration into the elements of a good story. Having known me for years, Becky gives a long-view of the Plot Whisperer book.

*Thursday, October 20th
Mary Baader Kaley at Not an Editor
Mary asks me questions about plot and the Universal Story as they specifically pertain to writers and critiques.

*Friday, October 21st
Kelly Klepfer of Novel Rocket
In asking me to write about what can be learned from the Universal Story, Kelly opened the door for me to write about my passion. Wisdom of the Universal Story allows for effortless writing during Nanowrimo and leads to a more fulfilling life.

Deana Barnhart at Deana Barnhart
Deana asks me questions about why I wrote the book and gives me the opportunity to address the part of the book I am most passionate about along with advice to writers, old and new.

Week Two

*Monday, October 24th
Shreve Stockton at Honey Rock Dawn
As the author of the best-selling memoir, The Daily Coyote, Shreve shares first-hand experience with my plot techniques.

*Tuesday, October 25th
Lia Keyes
I write about how the book helps writers prepare for NaNoWriMo. No amount of pre-plotting can get you to the prize on the last day of November. A smart writing strategy can...

*Wednesday, October 26th
Sherrie Petersen at Write About Now: Ramblings from a Fledgling Novelist about Reading, Writing and Life in a Small Town
In our interview together, Sherrie takes me back to how I became the Plot Whisperer and why I started the YouTube Plot Series -- for free.

Charissa Weaks at A Day in the Life of An Author
Charissa read The Plot Whisperer book before our interview together. She commented on how the book affected her and reveals why I wrote this book for her and all the other writers who start out writing by the "seat of her pants". Charissa asks me specific questions based on the book.

*Thursday, October 27th
Vivian Lee Mahoney
In our interview together, Vivian celebrates The Plot Whisperer book and the sense of empowerment the book offers. I had the sense her questions were personal (thus, universal) and my answers were important to her.

Interview about the Universal Story


*Friday, October 28th
Uma Krishnaswami
I met Uma years ago during a plot consultation. That she teaches writing in the MFA/Writing for Children and YA program of Vermont College of Fine Arts and came to me for plot help thrilled me -- both that she came from such a prestigious literary school and that she came from such a prestigious literary school.

In her interview with me about the Plot Whisperer book, she challenges me about plot...

Linda Joy Myers (President, National Association of Memoir Writers) at Memories and Memoirs
Linda and I met each other years ago through Teresa LeYung Ryan. Linda has always been passionate about teaching wounded people how to use memoir writing as a healing tool. As the women she works with begin to heal, they also get serious about their writing.

Linda always swept in with a spirit of discovery. Because she did, everyone else did, too. Because of Linda's warm and real and accepting embrace, the depth to which we could move into plot and the Universal Story revealed yet another layer.

Debbie Ridpath Ohi
 at Inky Girl
I smile as I write this and, at the same time, I am speechless...

Truly, I am speechless...

Go see for yourself the most incredible, amazing, generous, loving, incredible... did I already say that? I could say it 1000 times more and still not convey the depth of my gratitude to Debbie. What a talent...

For step-by-step guidance into pre-plotting your novel, memoir, screenplay, refer to:
The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit the Monday Plot Book Group series (A directory to this 2nd plot series is to the left of this post and scroll down a bit) and visit the first Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. (A directory of all the steps to the 1st plot series is to the right of this post.)
and visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (we hope you "like" it)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter