Wrote the first draft, now it's time to actually plot
Вставка
- Опубліковано 15 вер 2024
- At some point in the writing process, structure is coming for you. After pantsing a 50,000 word mystery novel for NaNoWrimo last year and reading through that mess, I decided to spend this week plotting to prepare for Camp Nano.
STUFF I MENTIONED:
My WFWA course: www.womensfict...
@LiselleSambury 's Fun & Games video • Save the Cat Deep Dive...
Save the Cat Writes a Novel: amzn.to/3LDBnEF
Write Your Novel From the Middle: amzn.to/3wX2DJV
Check out my writing courses!
Intro to Fiction: writingworksho...
Planning a novel without plotting: skl.sh/3G60GNM
Character transformation: skl.sh/33iwgFH
Writing a killer book description: skl.sh/356PtLg
More about my books, courses, coaching stuff, etc: www.michellesc...
Like the music in this vid? Try Epidemic Sound! www.epidemicso...
I use Canva for all my thumbnails and graphics: partner.canva....
Stuff I use as a full time writer/author (that you may have spotted in this video!) (affiliate links are afoot):
WRITING/WORK STUFF
Macbook Air. Doesn’t really need my recommendation. amzn.to/3soroc2
iPAPA laptop case: amzn.to/3slflwf
Mind-Reader adjustable/portable laptop desk. I LOVE this thing. Typing with my arms at an angle has drastically reduced elbow/wrist pain. amzn.to/2OYh0tX
Bluelight blocker glasses: amzn.to/2VAG51u
Best writing pens, hands down. I use them every time I revise a book. amzn.to/311nRoP
Acer monitor. I kind of hate the word gamechanger but this really was that kind of purchase. amzn.to/3vH71Kh
Brother laser printer. I won’t lie, this thing is a behemoth. But I’ve had it since 2017 and I think I’ve had maybe one paper jam? It works great, it’s super consistent, A++ for printing manuscripts. amzn.to/3tzIvZE
Alphasmart Neo2. Highly highly recommend. amzn.to/3cStKui
I'm a Skillshare Ambassador! I've been binging their courses on filmmaking and video editing, as well as writing, but there's all kinds of stuff for creative types! Try it out FREE for two week! skillshare.eqc...
COFFEE STUFF
Ninja coffee maker. amzn.to/31533Nu
Cold brew pitcher. amzn.to/3cSKVM9
Zulay milk frother. amzn.to/3r7DDJu
VIDEO MAKING STUFF
Canon G7X Mark iii camera. I love the flip up screen (ie, you can see yourself as you film) and the fact that there’s a mic port. amzn.to/3r9BfCb
Savage studio lights. I mostly use these for ‘talking head’ videos. amzn.to/3r7G6Un
Ubeesize 10” ring light. That’s the little guy sitting on my desk. I mostly use it for vlogging. amzn.to/31hqpzD
JJC mini tripod. amzn.to/3feXxjJ
Rode clip mic. amzn.to/2OSaLb2
______________
I've got lots of other freebies for you to download and use on your writing journey: www.michellesc...
________________
SUPPORT INDIES!
Like audiobooks? I switched from Audible to Libro.fm in 2019 and have zero regrets. Libro.fm sends your $ to the indie bookstore of your choice! The monthly fee is the same. Sign up with this referral link and get a FREE audiobook: libro.fm/referr...
Looking for your next writing craft book? Check out my Bookshop and support indies! bookshop.org/l...
________________
Looking for a ghostwriter for your novel? I might be your gal! reedsy.com/mic...
If you're interested in using Reedsy to offer your ghostwriting or editing services, sign up here: reedsy.com/p/m...
*full disclosure: the above link is a referral! If you sign up and get a project, you and I each get $100!*
___________
MY BOOKS
/ 6522087.michelle_schus...
www.goodreads....
__________
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may receive a small commission from purchases. There is no additional charge to you!
The NaNo site is apparently having a moment (already lol) so I can get the link to my profile. But I'm there! How's day one going for you guys?
Yeah, the NaNo site seems to be a bit glitchy today. Took me forever to update my progress. I'm aiming for 30000 words in April. I am working on a kinky erotic LGBTQ+ novella. Which is about as much fun as it sounds. I'll definitely have to find a pen name for this one, though. ;)
Gratitude for sharing the Save the Cat Genres: the joy for our community becomes how we adapt & assimilate the 10 genres. Like a number of great cookbooks [WHY IS COOKING & COOKBOOKS SO CONSPICUOUS ABSENT FROM AUTHORTUBE?] the differences in chef 🧬 & reader play a role in what is presented on the final presentation (plate or draft). I use Marvel’s Captain Marvel as an example, I see the story as Out of the Bottle (Carol Deserves the magical touch of the tesseract [space stone]; her powers are said cosmic magic & the lesson is that said powers are such an out of balance gift that the Kree empire needs to gaslight her to her off the board [like Kevin Flynn’s Removal from the equation in Tron: Legacy]) the case could also be made for Captain Marvel being a Fool Triumphant, Buddy Love, and Superhero although the probable Nemesis’ here was not fleshed out. I imagine this was so they had the Skrulls as a red herring & kept a larger nemesis for the 2nd & 3rd films.
How we use the 10 genres is like light collected through a lens to be projected onto our stories. As chefs we tweak to suit our needs. Developing in our test kitchen.
I love that analogy, Charles!!
Happy Camp NaNo! I have complete faith that you will get this thing together and it will be amazing when you’re finished.
Interesting to see you leaning into a pantsing process for this book. I too end up with a bit of a mess I need to fix. I like the idea of being free to do what you need to do to get it done.
I also like the idea of leaning into craft books. I like the genre breakdowns in Save the Cat too. Those beat sheets are a life saver.
Write your novel from the middle is a new one for me. I’m adding it to my cart.
I’m setting a goal of 16k for Camp NaNo which should get me to The End on QLM and that’s my goal.
You’ve got this! Happy Camp NaNo!
Happy Camp NaNo to you! That's a great goal - and eek, you're so close to THE END!! I'm so excited for you! :D
I love listening to you talk about writing. Lovely start to the day. :) Happy Camp NaNo! I'm working on the horror novel. A new endeavor for me. Have a great week!
Thanks so much, Regina - and oooh horror! That's so exciting, good luck!!
I love this! I need to get a copy of all three of those books and read them. I'm not officially doing Camp this year, but I am working on stuff. I want to proofread the first two books in my series once more and get them ready for paperbacks (FINALLY) as well as write about 20K for book 3.
Exciting! :D
I also struggle with the fun and games, it’s where I'm at right now, and it’s tricky... I mostly have a hard time, right now, making it flow, and not just be a bunch of unconnected scenes 😅 But I think I'm working it out 😁
Good luck with Camp! I have so much going on that I honestly forgot about the spring camp this year. Currently plugging along on book four of Binding, the CYOA that I'm cowriting with a friend, and working on the solo stuff still. We also have lambs coming next month. (Yay!)
Happy Camp NaNo!! I'm going to finish both of my current projects and see where that takes me word count wise, probably about 45K
That's awesome, Joey!! :)
I just wanted to comment here and THANK YOU for the adjustable lap stand for my laptop. I got the cushioned one you had linked in one of your videos and I love it! It makes working and writing so much smoother. So happy I got a second one as well before I moved abroad so I am set now! It really makes all the difference! Thank you.
Oh that's awesome! Isn't it the best?? So happy you gave it a shot!
Thanks, Michelle. I gotta think about the Secret aspect more.
My paranormal suspense story also fits into those same two Save The Cat over-genres, and for the Monster in the House aspect, I have two connected Monsters, a House of a small village with a hotel and cafe as primary locations, and a good 'sin' with the MC letting past trauma and mistakes prevent him from acting here until it is too late.
For the Why-dunnit aspect, the MC is the detective (in roll if not title) and the dark turn is noted above, his refusal to act as needed, and the 6 lead characters have compelling secrets from each other...
BUT: it's a real question of what is a secret *from the reader*? As there are multiple POVs, the character's secrets are kept from each other but revealed to the reader.
There's a compelling story question, and some 'smaller' mysteries, but not really one that runs the length of the book to the final Big Reveal. I think I plot with a mystery per act (in a 5-act breakdown) rather than one per story.
(The denouement has two Reveals that are important to the series and add to this story, but aren't crucial to it.)
Do you think that either the Monster of Whydunnit absolutely need a story-length secret or mystery?
Thanks Paul! So cool that your WIP is also in these two genres. That's a really interesting question. So when you say you have a mystery per act, it sounds like (maybe) you reveal a secret in every act that answers a question for the reader - but also poses another question? Is that the case? If so, then I think that final answer likely IS your big secret!
Yes, I think I’m okay:
Act 1 - sets up main mysteries, and Story Questions (“Who got killed? Was that a ghost!? Will these people survive?”)
Act 2 - introduces character secrets, new mysteries, builds Main Mysteries
Act 3 - resolves secrets and new mysteries, sets up resolution of Main Mystery and Story Question as it builds to Climax
Act 4 - Climax - No ghost, just spooky stuff! Some Survive!
Act 5 - Denouement, clarifying mystery resolutions, answering lingering questions, setting up series questions.
I also flipped the personalities of my first victim and the dangerous killer (who, strangely enough, didn’t kill the first victim) and now it all works better.
Plotting stories is fun, especially as it all comes together!
@@PaulRWorthington I love this, Paul! Sounds like the kind of book I'd pick up, honestly. Love me some mysteries with ghosts. :)
@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor I have three novels in the series done; two more to complete before self-publishing them.
Each book has a main self-contained story, but that run wraps up the first connected storyline -- the first year of the main character’s paranormal work, and answering the mystery that has run through those stories.
I have the next two years plotted, ending his story. Then if it’s doing well, the series can continue with other characters.
Thanks for the positive feedback.
I look forward to your mystery novel as well!
Things sounds solid on your end which is great! I love the STC genres too, and I've heard great things about the Write your Novel from the Middle by James Scott Bell. I've read another of his but not that one.
My Camp Nano project (unofficially lol) is my current WIP. Hoping to add at least 30k to it by the end of the month. I'm sitting at 13k words and things are still going well. 🤞 It's an adult fantasy about a one-eyed thief with accursed powers, a masochist honor-bound mercenary, a nature mage, and an imprisoned demigod. It's definitely Monster in the House, with a bit of Golden Fleece thrown in :)
Rebecca, that sounds FANTASTIC!!! And it sounds like your Camp is off to a great start!!
Good luck with camp!!
Thanks Cassie!!
I love hearing about Sandstorm! This is probably my favorite book to watch your video blogs about
Thank you so much!! :)
Thank you, this was so helpful to me right now! (I am a pantser and always end up with a first draft that needs a lot of editing and rewriting...)
Love hearing the process, really inspiring and empowering. Thank you!
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching! :)
Can you recommend a video of yours or a book which explains the layout of story, and the terminology, eg: "acts", "all is lost", "B story", "want and need", "story beats" and so on. Very basic stuff probably, I know, but it's surprising how many people use thee terms assuming one knows. Thank you.
I'm a little behind with getting started (glorious computer trouble) but I'm going to be working on a revision guide for my next big developmental pass on my blood magic book! I'm excited about it and I really want to get the craft book where you start in the middle because it sounds like it could be a really good addition to the structure books I've been using!
Let me know what you think if you get it! I think it's a really helpful way of framing that particular beat!
@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor just ordered it so I'll definitely let you know!
Okay. I love it. I love the golden triangle, it's such a good way to think about it. I haven't heard the midpoint described like a moment and I think it's a really impactful way to do it! This is also going to be a really good way to analyze each main plot for my 4 POV fantasy! Thank you for sharing!
I forgot that camp NaNo was today!😭😅😂 I was thinking it was only in July, so I had time.
I'm only thinking of tackling outlining a draft, though. So I don't have to worry about getting things prepared. Plus, taking the month to outline and letting the other stories I was working on take a break, should hopefully help me get back into them, because they were getting to feel like a chore again. So I know it's time to step back for a bit, which means camp NaNo came at just the right time.
Anyway, I hope your writing is going well, that your weekend will be great, and that you have an awesome camp NaNo this year. Good luck!❤
Yup, I think I was caught off guard last July when I learned there were two camps! LOL But I think an outline is a great camp goal - totally doable in a. month!!
Do you still use voice dictation?
I do! Mostly for zero drafts.