Heheh, yes I like that one too.
Planning a Novel Page 2
If 'writing blind' isn't proving successful (ie without any sort of plan), what about writing a beat sheet? Just a list of every key event in the story. I've started doing this for scripts, and I find it really handy.
That's because, in the past, I've just ploughed into a script with a vague idea of direction, but if I expose holes in my own plots or characters develop in ways I didn't expect, it's a massive arse to go back and change it all - and I was less inclined to do that, therefore bringing the whole project to a halt or resulting in a flawed finished script.
Now I find that a lot of the plot development, the 'mistakes', and changes in character behaviour etc etc are got out of the way at the beat sheet stage. And it's a lot easier to go back and change a list than 10 pages of dialogue. Just a suggestion which might have similar benefits for a novel...
Personally, I take the Bomber Harris approach to writing: plan plan plan the shit out of it. The planning takes as long as writing. Three months for each. If I have a list of scenes and what has to happen in each I'm less likely to have block than when I'm winging it.
However, it doesn't prevent me from amending a story mid-writing if a new layer or idea occurs. In the first novel I had a rewrite to add a new facet to a kinda secondary character who then becomes the real hero but always remains unknown in this capacity to the other characters.
Planning saves a lot of headache later on. But it is all highly personal, and what works for me won't work for others. You need to experiment to find a solution that suits you best.
Quote: SlagA @ November 16 2009, 5:12 PM GMTYou need to experiment to find a solution that suits you best.
Ninety percent single malt whisky. Ten percent ice.
I am halfway through a bottle of Jura - not all in one day, mind.
I have just been given a litre of famous grouse I might do a long tall one with lots of ice and ginger ale!
All speysides are magnificent, espeically the Aberlour which was being sold for something like 12 quid at the co op for a while as a big promotion. Lordy I bought a few bottles. Also the co-op sell an Irish whiskey called Delaney's!
Drink, with the advice above and grow a beard. Don't forget to become bitter too.
My top 5:
Laguvalin
Oban
Highland Park
Talisker
Dalwhinnie
I only have a splash of Talisker left out of those. 
I have an unopened bottle of JOhnny Walker Blue Label waiting for an ocassion.
Quote: Marc P @ November 16 2009, 5:50 PM GMTI might do a long tall one with lots of ice and ginger ale!
Quote: Griff @ November 16 2009, 5:52 PM GMTI am mighty fond of the Aberlour Speyside single malt but my supplies are running low.
If you like Speyside - hunt down a Cragganmore. It costs but it's worth it, Griff.
Quote: Marc P @ November 16 2009, 5:59 PM GMTI have an unopened bottle of JOhnny Walker Blue Label waiting for an ocassion.
You, Sir, have had more than ample opportunity. Like all collectors of things, I'm beginning to think you're actually afraid of disappointment. 
Quote: SlagA @ November 16 2009, 6:04 PM GMTYou, Sir, have had more than ample opportunity. Like all collectors of things, I'm beginning to think you're actually afraid of disappointment.
Ha ha... fair point. But I haven't ever tried the stuff. The other thing is with the book launches there was never any specific day so it didn;t seem right, well on the first one maybe but I went in to Norwich to look at the book shops and got mightily merry in town so it would have seemed a waste. I'll think of something.
