Plotting vs. Pantsing: The Tension Between Overkill with Moving Forward

by Cindy Rae

Certain writers fall securely into the plotter camp, while others write off-the-cuff. I jump back and forth between camps. And, at times, it’s wearying.

With Salvage, I’m really trying to plan my scenes more than before. I’m using a free airtable account to track my scene data, but it’s possible that it’s moving from useful planning to overkill.

So, just to dive in and write new scenes seems a little like wandering in a field of corn on a dark night (I come from a long line of Iowa corn farmers, and I live in Nebraska; the simile works for me).

Yet, after a certain level of planning and scene data, it’s like wandering through a very crowded cereal aisle, trying to figure out what take off the shelf.

So, I’m spending too much time trying to get the scene data just as I want it, and too little time moving Salvage forward.

What’s the right balance?

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2019 Cindy Rae Johnson

Craft Links: Scenes

by Cindy Rae
  1. Sometimes you just need to get the scene out, in rough form.
  2. But, if you’re more a planner, you can try beat sheets.
  3. Found a solid, basic article on the two basic levels of scene structure
  4. Need a stronger opening for your scene? Jane Friedman’s article on 4 Key Ways to Launch a Scene is a good one.
  5. When you’re ready to add depth, Jodie Renner has excellent advice.