Writing Forum

I'm not sure what I think.

My approach to writing, and some of my favorite writers, tends to me less traditional and more genre-bending, so I'm not one to think "Oh gee, I need to fit my story into a three-act structure" or that "this is what worked for Author X, so I better try to structure my story in a way that mimics it to a small degree" or whatever. However, I think there are certainly successful authors out there who do fit their books (naturally or intentionally) into a particular structure/formula/shape and those seen amazingly well (maybe better than most).

So the Steven James book I'm reading makes a lot of sense to me...it FEELS right when I hear his arguments and strategies and suggestions. Now, he does go over (his opinion of) the strengths and weaknesses of both a plotter or pantser approach, and give suggestions on how to avoid those. For instance, the weaker points of writing organically include 1. Stories can wander and not escalate, 2. Stories can end abruptly, and 3. Stories can be anti-climatic. His weaknesses to outlining are: 1. Stories aren't always believable, 2. Transitions between scenes can be weak, and 3. Climaxes can seem contrived. I can speak to the weakness of the organic style, and those are all things I've been dealing with in my book. But, now that I can point them out and realize that part of the issue is my approach, I can directly address those issues, whether I decide to outline or not.

I don't think the approach is really all that important, because the goal is the same - a believable, entertaining, and well-written story. So, really, I think as long as you can work on all the areas in your story that are lacking, for whatever the reason, you'll be good. What strategy do you use? Whatever works. All of them. None of them. Most likely a combination. I am not a linear thinker, so I cannot see me ever making a detailed outline and sticking to it. But I did make a rough outline at some point after working on my book for a while, and have used it as a blueprint, though I'm not opposed to changing it as the story morphs.

Clear as mud. Easy-peasy. Yeah?

--
1UppyEar

** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **

** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **