Writing Tips: Outlining/Plotting Vs Discovery Writing/Pantsing

Summary

In episode 646 of the Creative Pen Podcast, author Joanna Penn discusses different writing approaches for crafting novels. She explores outlining or plotting, which provides structure and efficiency, and Discovery writing or 'pantsing', which allows for organic story development. Penn shares her personal journey as a Discovery writer with a touch of plotting, offering insights into her process and the benefits and challenges of each method. The episode is a valuable resource for writers seeking to understand and refine their own writing practices.

Takeaways

• 😀 Joanna Penn, a thriller author and creative entrepreneur, hosts the Creative Pen Podcast, which offers interviews, inspiration, and information on writing, publishing, and marketing for authors.
• 📚 In episode 646, Joanna shares two chapters from her audiobook 'How to Write a Novel: From Idea to Book', discussing outlining or plotting and discovery writing, also known as 'pantsing' or writing into the dark.
• 📈 Outlining is presented as an efficient method for structuring a novel to maximize emotional impact, allowing writers to create a framework that compels readers to keep reading.
• 🎯 The benefits of outlining include faster first-draft writing, more intricate plots, deeper characters, less rewriting, and faster production time.
• 🚧 Difficulties with outlining can include getting lost in the process, procrastination through preparation, and a fear of writing that might prevent authors from finishing their books.
• 💡 Joanna suggests that if outlining isn't enjoyable, discovery writing might be a better fit, as it allows for more creative freedom and the excitement of not knowing what will happen next in the story.
• 📝 Discovery writing involves writing what comes to mind and figuring out the story as you go, which can lead to organic character and plot development.
• 🤔 The challenges of discovery writing include the risk of writing oneself into a corner, the need to discard scenes or characters, and facing the blank page regularly.
• 👩‍💻 Joanna's personal writing process involves a mix of discovery writing with a touch of plotting, using placeholders and researching as she writes to help shape the story.
• 🔍 She emphasizes the importance of finding a writing process that works for each individual, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach to novel writing.
• 📖 The full audiobook, as well as other formats of 'How to Write a Novel', can be found on Joanna's store and various online platforms, providing a comprehensive guide for authors.

Q & A

What is the main topic of episode 646 of the Creative Pen Podcast?

The main topic of episode 646 is discussing two different approaches to writing a novel: outlining or plotting, and Discovery writing (also known as pantsing or writing into the dark).

Who is the host of the Creative Pen Podcast?

The host of the Creative Pen Podcast is Joanna Penn, a thriller author and creative entrepreneur.

What are the benefits of outlining or plotting as mentioned in the podcast?

Outlining or plotting allows writers to create a framework that compels the audience to keep reading, can result in more intricate plots and twists, deeper characters, less time rewriting, and faster production time. It's also beneficial for co-writing and when working with agents or publishers.

What are the difficulties associated with outlining or plotting according to Joanna Penn?

Some writers get lost in outlining and never actually write the book, some find it boring and never finish, and others may become obsessed with the technicalities and decide writing is too hard, thus giving up.

How does Joanna Penn describe her own writing process?

Joanna Penn describes her writing process as Discovery writing with a touch of plotting. She does not outline in detail and finds that her creative brain works best when not constrained by a strict outline.

What is the term 'Discovery writing' and why does Joanna Penn prefer it over 'pantsing'?

Discovery writing refers to the approach where the writer writes what comes into their head and works out the story along the way. Joanna Penn prefers this term over 'pantsing' because 'pants' in British English means underwear, and she finds the term 'pantsing' inappropriate.

What are the benefits of Discovery writing as discussed in the podcast?

Discovery writing is fun and exciting because it allows the writer to experience the story's development as it unfolds, which can also make the final product interesting for the reader. It also allows for moments of synchronicity and relies on the writer's innate story sense.

What are the potential difficulties of Discovery writing mentioned in the podcast?

Discovery writing can lead to writers getting stuck, writing themselves into corners, discarding words, scenes, characters, and plot points later, and facing the blank page regularly as they might not always know what to write next.

What advice does Joanna Penn give for dealing with the blank page during Discovery writing?

Joanna Penn advises reframing the blank page as a promise of unlimited possibility rather than a fear of the unknown, and trusting the creative voice to guide the writing process.

How does Joanna Penn structure her first draft when Discovery writing?

Joanna Penn does not write in order. She writes whatever scene comes to mind that day or whatever is suggested as the next scene based on what she has already written, and she uses tools like Scrivener to reorder scenes as the plot emerges.

What resources does Joanna Penn recommend for writers who want to learn more about writing a novel?

Joanna Penn recommends her audiobook, ebook, print editions, and workbook titled 'How to Write a Novel' available on her store at creativepenbooks.com, as well as other usual online stores and audiobook platforms.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to the Creative Pen Podcast

Joanna Penn, a thriller author and creative entrepreneur, introduces her podcast 'The Creative Pen Podcast'. She discusses the show's focus on interviews, inspiration, and information for writers regarding writing, publishing, and marketing. The podcast episode number 646 is dated September 29, 2022. Joanna shares two chapters from her audiobook 'How to Write a Novel from Idea to Book', covering outlining or plotting and discovery writing. She discusses her personal writing style, which is a mix of discovery writing and plotting, and her experience as an author with around 17 novels. Joanna also mentions her survey where many writers have questions about these writing methods and how her chapters can help them find their own writing style.

05:02

📈 The Benefits and Difficulties of Outlining in Writing

This section delves into the process of outlining, which is described as an efficient way to structure a novel for maximum emotional impact. Outlining allows writers to create a framework that keeps readers engaged. The benefits of outlining include faster writing during the first draft, more intricate plots, and less rewriting. It's also beneficial for co-writing and when working with agents or publishers. However, some writers find outlining tedious or fear that it might lead to a boring writing process. The section also discusses various outlining methods, such as using text documents, spreadsheets, mind maps, or software like Scrivener. Examples of authors who outline extensively are provided, including Jeffrey Deaver and James Patterson, highlighting their detailed approaches to outlining.

10:06

🚀 Discovery Writing: Embracing the Unknown

Discovery writing, also known as 'pantsing', is a writing approach where the author writes without a detailed plan, allowing the story to unfold naturally. The benefits of this method include the excitement of discovery for both the writer and the reader, and the potential for unexpected creative outcomes. Challenges include the risk of writing into dead ends or getting stuck, as well as the need for trust in one's innate storytelling abilities. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of embracing the creative process and the joy of writing without a predefined structure.

15:06

🏗 Overcoming the Blank Page: Tips for Discovery Writers

Discovery writers often face the challenge of the blank page, as they may not know what to write next. The paragraph suggests reframing the blank page as a promise of unlimited possibilities rather than a source of fear. It encourages writers to trust their creative voice and to embrace the process of getting stuck as a natural part of building a story. The paragraph also mentions that even though discovery writers may discard words or scenes later, the process is part of the journey to finding the story.

20:07

🎨 Discovery Writing Process of Established Authors

This section highlights how well-known authors like Lee Child, Stephen King, and Nora Roberts use discovery writing in their work. Each author has a unique approach to discovery writing, with some starting with a single idea and others allowing the story to reveal itself as they write. The paragraph also includes insights from Dean Wesley Smith, who shares his process of writing without an outline and making changes as he goes along. The emphasis is on the individuality of the discovery writing process and how it can lead to a finished novel.

25:09

🌟 Joanna Penn's Personal Discovery Writing Process

Joanna Penn shares her personal discovery writing process, which involves having ideas that develop over time, sometimes triggered by external factors like research trips. She does not follow a strict production schedule and allows her creative process to guide her. Joanna discusses her use of research, writing in Scrivener, and her approach to character development. She also mentions her first self-edit, which involves structuring scenes into chapters and reorganizing the material. The paragraph concludes with Joanna's encouragement for writers to find their own process and her invitation to explore more about her writing methods in her book.

🔚 Conclusion and Invitation to Further Resources

Joanna concludes the podcast episode by inviting listeners to explore more about her writing methods in her book 'How to Write a Novel'. She provides information on where to find the audiobook, ebook, print editions, and workbook, and encourages listeners to engage with her on social media or through her website. The paragraph ends with a sign-off and a teaser for the next episode, which will discuss traditional publishing experiences.

Keywords

💡Outlining

Outlining refers to the process of planning a novel's structure before writing. It involves creating a framework that guides the narrative from beginning to end. In the script, outlining is described as a method that allows writers to spend more time considering the novel's aspects upfront, which can result in a more intricate plot and faster production time. Joanna Penn mentions that while some writers find outlining constraining, it can be a tool that spurs creativity rather than a limitation.

💡Discovery Writing

Discovery writing, also known as 'pantsing', is a writing approach where the author writes by the seat of their pants, discovering the story as they go. It is characterized by starting with a vague idea and allowing the narrative to unfold naturally. The script emphasizes the excitement and joy of discovery writing, suggesting that it can lead to a more organic and reader-engaging story. Joanna Penn shares her personal experience, indicating that she writes in a discovery fashion, sometimes with a touch of plotting.

💡Plotting

Plotting is the act of mapping out the events of a story in a detailed and structured manner. It is closely related to outlining but can also refer to the specific elements of story structure such as conflict, rising action, and resolution. The script discusses plotting as a method that can lead to more complex narratives and is often used by writers who co-write or work with publishers, as it provides a clear vision of the story's progression.

💡Character Arc

A character arc refers to the development and transformation of a character over the course of a story. It is an important aspect of storytelling that adds depth and relatability to characters. In the script, the concept is mentioned in the context of outlining a series, where understanding a character's journey can help in planning the narrative's direction and ensuring a satisfying conclusion.

💡Co-writing

Co-writing is the collaborative process of creating a written work with another author. The script highlights that outlining is essential for co-writing as it helps in maintaining consistency and synchronizing efforts between writers. It ensures a smooth writing process and a cohesive final product.

💡Publishing

Publishing involves the process of production, distribution, and promotion of literary works. The script touches upon the necessity of having an outline when working with agents or publishers, suggesting that it is often a requirement in the traditional publishing process and can be beneficial for writers, especially those who are discovery writers, to learn how to create effective outlines.

💡Mind Maps

A mind map is a visual tool used to represent ideas and concepts in a diagrammatic format. In the context of the script, mind maps are mentioned as one of the various methods writers can use to outline their novels. They help in organizing thoughts and planning the structure of the story in a non-linear, creative way.

💡Scrivener

Scrivener is a software program designed to support writers in the composition, organization, and development of long documents, such as novels. The script mentions Scrivener as a tool that can be used for outlining and plotting, allowing writers to create electronic index cards, rearrange scenes, and manage their writing projects effectively.

💡Drafting

Drafting is the initial phase of writing where the author produces a rough version of the work. The script discusses the drafting process in the context of discovery writing, emphasizing the iterative nature of the process where writers may write and rewrite, allowing the story to evolve and take shape over multiple drafts.

💡Revision

Revision is the process of reviewing and refining a written work. In the script, revision is discussed as a necessary part of the discovery writing process, where writers may discard words, scenes, or even redraft entirely to make the story coherent. It is presented as a natural part of shaping the narrative and achieving a polished final product.

Highlights

Joanna Penn introduces her podcast, focusing on writing, publishing, and marketing for authors.

Episode 646 discusses different approaches to writing a novel, including outlining and Discovery writing.

Outlining is presented as a method to structure a novel efficiently for maximum emotional impact.

Discovery writing, or 'pantsing', is described as writing by the seat of your pants, discovering the story as you go.

Benefits of outlining include faster first drafts and less rewriting, resulting in intricate plots and well-developed characters.

Difficulties with outlining can include getting lost in the process and never actually writing the novel.

Discovery writing is praised for its fun and exciting process, keeping the writer engaged and discovering the story.

Challenges with Discovery writing include the risk of writing oneself into a corner and frequent encounters with the blank page.

Joanna Penn shares her personal writing process, which involves a mix of Discovery writing and some plotting.

The transcript provides tips on how to do both outlining and Discovery writing effectively.

Examples of authors who successfully use various writing methods are given to illustrate different approaches.

The importance of finding your own writing process on the spectrum between outlining and Discovery writing is emphasized.

Joanna Penn's own journey as a thriller, dark fantasy, and crime author is briefly discussed, providing context for her advice.

The podcast offers resources for authors, including a free author blueprint and information on Joanna's audiobook.

Advice on how to outline a series is given, suggesting it can be beneficial for long-term planning and character arcs.

The transcript touches on the use of tools like index cards, spreadsheets, and software for outlining and plotting.

Joanna Penn's process involves researching as she writes, using online resources and interactive sites to enrich her scenes.

The podcast concludes with encouragement for writers to find their unique writing process and not be constrained by traditional methods.

Transcripts

welcome to the creative pen podcast I'm

Joanna Penn thriller author and creative

entrepreneur bringing you interviews

inspiration and information on writing

publishing options and marketing ideas

for your book you can find the episode

show notes your free author blueprint

and lots more information at

thecreativepen.com and that's pen with a

double n and here's the show

[Music]

hello creatives I'm Joanna Penn and this

is episode number 646 of the podcast and

it is Thursday the 29th of September

2022 as I record this in-betweenie sewed

so in today's show I'm sharing two

chapters from my audiobook how to write

a novel from idea to book the first

section is on outlining or plotting and

the second is on Discovery writing

sometimes known as pantsing or writing

into the dark and yes it's narrated by

me I go into the benefits and

difficulties of both approaches examples

of authors who write in the various

different ways some tips on how to do

both of them and I go into my own

Discovery writing with a touch of

plotting protests because yes we all

find Our Own Way eventually and you'll

be somewhere on the Spectrum so I go

through the two extremes I guess and

where I am and some people have said

they didn't even know I write fiction so

just to be clear I write thriller's Dark

Fantasy and crime as JF pen and I have

around 17 novels I keep losing count

plus other novellas and short stories

now a lot of people in my survey the

reason I'm putting this out is I'm doing

a survey and many people have said

firstly that they have questions about

this but secondly that these chapters

helped them realize particularly around

Discovery writing that if you're feeling

like you hate plotting and you've bought

all these books on plossing and it just

takes the joy out of things that's how I

feel too so I share all about that if

you're a plus or an outliner good on you

I sometimes personally I kind of feel it

might be easier

I have tried so much as I talk about in

the audio book

right so let me know what you think in

the comments on the show notes on the

YouTube channel or tweet me at the

creativepen and of course if you'd like

more this is only two chapters of the

quite a large book you can find the

audiobook as well as the ebook print

editions and workbook of how to write a

novel on my store at

creativepenbooks.com you can also find

the audiobook and the other editions on

all the usual online stores and

audiobook platforms and subscriptions

and every it should be everywhere you

can also order it from your local

independent bookstore borrow it from

your library just ask your librarian to

order it from the catalog in whatever

format you prefer right I hope you find

these chapters useful let's get into the

audiobook

2.3

outlining or plotting

outlining is the most efficient way to

structure a novel to achieve the

greatest emotional impact

outlining lets you create a framework

that compels your audience to keep

reading from the first page to the last

Jeffrey diva

writers who outline or plot spend more

time up front considering aspects of the

novel and know how the story will

progress before they start writing the

manuscript

it's a spectrum with some outlines

consisting of a page or so and others

stretching to thousands of words of

preparation

the benefits of outlining

while Discovery writers jump into

writing and spend more time later

cleaning up their drafts outliners or

plotters spend time beforehand so they

can write faster in the first draft

when it's time to write outliners focus

on writing words on the page to fulfill

their Vision rather than figuring out

what's going on

outlining can result in more intricate

plots and twists deeper characters less

time rewriting and faster production

time

if you co-write outlining is the only

way to ensure your process works

smoothly

as a discovery writer I have found it

particularly challenging to co-write

fiction which is why I rarely do it

if you have an agent or a publisher or

you want an agent or a publisher you

might have to write an outline anyway

so learning how to do it well can help

if you're a discovery writer you can

always outline after the book is

finished if you need to

when you plan a story the right way you

guarantee a tight compelling structure

that keeps readers turning pages and

delivers a satisfying reading experience

from start to finish and really A

Satisfied reader is all you need for a

good book

Libby Hawker take off your pants outline

your books for faster better writing

the difficulties of outlining

outlining and plotting suit some writers

very well

but not all

some authors get lost in outlining and

plotting and World building and

character bios and theme exploration and

symbolism are never actually write full

sentences and may never finish a book

such writers may go astray through a

combination of procrastination through

preparation a delight in the learning

process without a desire to do the work

to turn it into a story or perhaps fear

of what might happen if they do right

some authors outline a book and then

decide it's too boring to write it and

never finish

some authors become so obsessed with the

technicalities of outlining that they

decide writing is too hard so they give

up

other writers try outlining only to find

it is no fun at all

if you can do it brilliant if you can't

don't worry see the next chapter on

Discovery writing

how to outline

every hour spent outlining prior to

starting a novel saves you many hours in

the actual writing process

it also helps you to write a better

novel as you will tighten down the story

in your outline before you write rather

than having to do it in rewrite

Bob Mayer the novel writers toolkit

there is no single way to outline but

options include a text document a

spreadsheet mind maps scrivener or other

software

outlines can also vary in length and

complexity

Sean Coyne describes the full skep

method in the story grid where an entire

book can be outlined on one A4 page with

just a few lines describing the

beginning middle and end of their story

you could expand this brief outline into

a document of a few pages by describing

the main action points and characters of

each scene in a couple of lines or a

paragraph

this is often what agents and Publishers

mean by an outline

at the more extreme end of the plotting

Spectrum thriller author Jeffrey Deva

creates a lengthy outline for his

thrillers

as he said in a Wall Street Journal

interview in 2012

the finished outline runs about 150

pages single spaced though with very

wide right margins so I can jot

references to the research material

relevant to the plot

James Patterson outlines his books and

uses the process to complicate his plots

and come up with twists that surprise

readers

Patterson is a prolific story machine

and works with co-writers to expand his

story worlds

whatever you think of his books he is

the highest earning and best-selling

author in the world I highly recommend

his masterclass online course in which

he goes into detail about his process

in the master class Patterson says I'm a

fanatic about outlining it's going to

make whatever you're writing better

you'll have fewer false starts and

you'll take a shorter amount of time

I write them over and over again

you read my outline and it's like

reading a book you really get the story

even though it's condensed

each chapter will have about a paragraph

devoted to it but you're going to get

the scene and you're going to get the

sense of what makes the scene work

the ending almost always changes in the

writing though it's because I learned to

listen to the characters

some writers use paper index cards for

plotting scenes and characters

Lauren buchus used a wall of index cards

to physically plot the details for her

award-winning Thriller The Shining girls

later adapted for TV

it is a time travel thriller so the plot

lines and characters needed to be

interwoven in multiple ways

if you don't want to use paper you can

use plotting software like scrivener

plotter granthika or other tools to

create electronic versions of index

cards that you can drag and drop into a

different order as you need to

JK Rowling outlined the Harry Potter

series with hand-drawn matrices tracking

the characters against the plot and the

timeline

prolific thriller author Russell Blake

uses a spreadsheet with chapter numbers

down the left character names across the

top and a few sentences in each cell

I will typically capture the whys of the

chapter meaning the motivation for

writing it

to make it into my final outline it will

need to either reveal something about

the characters or the plot or move the

story forward if I can't articulate to

myself the purpose of the chapter in

that manner I cut it

you can include whatever you like in

your outline and it can be as long as

you want it to be

outliners often change things as they

write so don't feel that the outline is

a constraint on your creativity it's

just a tool to help you write your book

in whatever way works for you

a good outline should be a spur for

creativity not a stumbling block the

author is the master of the outline not

its slave

K.M Wyland outlining your novel

outlining a series

if you have a series in mind

particularly if there is a clear

character Arc and a final ending then it

can be a good idea to outline more than

one book at the same time so you know

where the series is going even if it's

just a few lines

however remember to write the book at

some point don't spend forever outlining

questions

what are the benefits of outlining

what are the potential difficulties

are you excited about the prospect of

outlining

or is it something you feel like you

should do

which methods of outlining might work

best for you

how much time do you want to spend

outlining before you move on to writing

2.4

Discovery writing or pantsing

if you surrender to the wind you can

ride it

Tony Morrison Song of Solomon

the word pantsing comes from the term

fly by the seat of your pants

and essentially means that you write

what comes into your head and work out

the story along the way

for some people this means literally

starting from the first sentence of the

first page and writing until the story

is done

for others it involves writing out of

order and stitching the story together

later which is my Approach

let's first address the term panting

which is frankly terrible

it is based on the American word pants

meaning trousers but I'm British and

pants are underwear I much prefer the

term Discovery writing so that's what

I'll use and perhaps together we can get

rid of the term panting altogether

the benefits of Discovery writing

it's so much fun

many Discovery writers feel as if

knowing what happens or planning it all

in advance makes the writing process

boring but if you don't know what will

happen next in your story the writing

process has the intensity and excitement

of discovery

this can make the finished product just

as interesting for the reader as it was

for you in the writing process

I also find these extraordinary moments

of synchronicity happen when I Discovery

right and research as I go

they happen during the writing of every

book although I can't force them to

happen

there's a moment where the story clicks

it all suddenly makes sense and things

that I invented cross over into the real

world in unexpected ways

that feeling makes the creative

potential of the discovery process

almost addictive

you need to have a certain amount of

trust in your innate story sense but

that is also part of the enjoyment

we have all read so many books and

watched so many movies and TV shows that

we have a deep understanding of story as

human beings

there's a sense of knowing how a story

works

and in Discovery writing it's about

leaning into this feeling

trust that your subconscious story brain

will give you what you need along the

way

writing with intentional plot structure

is not necessary for the story to be

compelling

Becca Sim and Susan biskoff dear writer

are you intuitive

the difficulties of Discovery writing

if you don't know how the story will

work you can end up writing yourself

into a corner

many Discovery writers discard words

scenes characters and prop points later

some may have to redraft altogether to

make a story work

some consider that a waste but it's just

part of the discovery process

you will also face the blank page

regularly in your writing sessions as

you might not always know what to write

next

Dean Wesley Smith addresses this in

writing into the dark

getting stuck is part of writing into

the dark it is a natural part of the

process of a creative voice building a

story

embrace the uncertainty of being stuck

trust your creative voice give it a few

moments rest then come back and write

the next sentence

reframe the blank page as the promise of

unlimited possibility rather than the

fear of the unknown

how to Discovery right

story emerges from Human Minds as

naturally as breath emerges from between

human lips you don't have to be a genius

to master it you're already doing it

will store the science of Storytelling

write a sentence

then another one

then another one

repeat until done for the writing

session

you don't have to tell the story in a

linear fashion you can jump around and

write what the Muse wants to write and

piece it all together later

that's how it works for me I never write

an order

when you sit down to Discovery right you

need to trust that something will emerge

from you somehow even if it feels like

you have nothing when you face the blank

page

of course you must learn the craft there

must be an element of understanding the

principles of story

but there is also something ineffable

something unexplainable Something Magic

that happens when you trust the

discovery process

you may not even realize what is in your

mind until it spills out onto the page

as poet Ben Opry said we are magnificent

and mysterious beings capable of

creating civilizations out of the

wildlands of the earth and the dark

places in our consciousness

as Walt Whitman said I am large I

contain multitudes

you can do this

trust emergence

authors who are Discovery writers

Lee Child used to start writing his next

Jack Reacher Thriller on 1st of

September each year and continue writing

until the book was done

before he handed the franchise over to

his brother in 2020.

interview with Mary Claire magazine he

said

I just start somewhere somewhere that

feels good and then literally think all

right now what happens

so a million times in the process it's a

question of all right now what happens

and so the story tells itself

I'm a Jack Reacher fan and the story

lines are linear and work well for this

kind of writing style

Reacher arrives in a town something bad

happens he must find and punish the bad

guys and there's some fighting and

occasionally some loving along the way

there is a clear protagonist and the

story unfolds in real time as Reacher

experiences it

but not everyone writes such a linear

story and you certainly don't have to

Stephen King is a discovery writer and

his books are usually sprawling stories

with many characters multiple points of

view and often a complicated plot

in on writing he talks about starting

with a character in a situation and

writing from there

stories are found things like fossils in

the ground which must be uncovered

through the writing process

King does multiple drafts and revisions

to deepen the story but his first draft

is all discovery he says I believe

plotting and the spontaneity of real

creation aren't compatible

Tess Garretson talks about her Discovery

process in an article on her blog

since I don't outline ahead of time I

don't always know the solution to the

mystery

so I'll wander in the wilderness along

with my characters until I get about

two-thirds of the way through and I'll

be forced to find answers and then I can

finally write to the end

I don't stop to revise during the first

draft because it's all going to be

changed anyway when I finally figure out

what the book is about

Nora Roberts says in a blog post about

her method

the first draft the discovery draft the

POS guess what that stands for draft is

the hardest for me

figuring it all out creating people I'm

going to care about enough to sit here

for hours every day in order to tell

their story

finding out information about the

setting the careers involved and so much

more

I don't outline I have a kind of loose

mental outline then I sit down get

started and hope it all works one more

time

Dean Wesley Smith has written several

hundred novels and shares his process in

writing into the dark how to write a

novel without an outline

he talks about cycling where he writes a

scene then Cycles back to read through

it and make changes as necessary every

time he sits down to write he might

deepen the character or add to the plot

or make other changes

sometimes he might find a plot issue and

have to cycle back further but when he

finishes the First full draft the book

is done he has a proofreader check it

and then publishes

my process

Discovery writing with a touch of

plotting

I have tried so many times to become an

outliner I've read all the books on

structure and plotting and done lots of

courses but my muse just won't comply it

frankly makes me miserable to try and

outline in any detail my creative brain

just doesn't work that way

it sucks the joy out of the writing

process and what's the point in that

I have written and published many novels

at this point so clearly my process

works even if it doesn't fit neatly into

the way others say we should right

this is how I Discovery right

I have various ideas mulling around in

my head for a long time before I start a

book

they might be ideas about a character a

setting a story question a theme I want

to explore or a MacGuffin an object of a

quest all of which I'll cover later in

part three

I have a folder on my computer in my JF

pen drive with subfolders labeled with

broad brush working titles

most of the folders are empty but they

are placeholders for the muse

as I write this I have 16 folders in my

to write list but they are pretty

nebulous

for example volcano botanist adventure

and French Gothic stonemason

I have vague ideas about what these

stories might be someday but they take

years to emerge

I move the folders up and down depending

on how I'm feeling about what I might

write next

at some point I settle on the story I

need to write

that decision is driven by an urging

from The Muse or something external that

triggers the choice like a research trip

where a story piece clicks into place

I don't write to a production schedule

for my fiction and I have spectacularly

failed to plan when my books might come

out

I am incredibly organized in my

non-fiction side as Joanna Penn and in

my business but my fiction self my JF

Pen side cannot be constrained

this is why I don't do long pre-orders

on my fiction I only ever put up a

pre-order when the book is with my

editor as then I know the timeline for

publication

I'll spend some time researching and at

the point of committing to a book I

usually have at least a character idea

and sometimes a name a setting for the

opening scene and ideas for what the

plot might be about

but most of the time I haven't written

any of it down

sometimes I draw a simple mind map in my

journal sometimes I have the equivalent

of an A4 piece of paper with thoughts

but it's all pretty free flowing

I open a new scrivener project and add

some placeholders for scenes

these are just one-liners for example in

destroyer of worlds my first placeholder

line was Trafalgar Square bomb something

stolen from the Arcane vault

I didn't know what was stolen but that

emerged once I sat down to write

I schedule first draft blocks of time in

my calendar

I turn up at my desk or The Writing Cafe

or wherever I'm working and I write

I don't write in order

I write whatever scene comes to mind

that day or whatever is suggested as the

next scene based on what I have already

written

I might follow one character for a few

scenes and then go back and write

another timeline later

I add more placeholder one-liners as the

plot emerges

I researched before I begin but I also

research as I write

for example when writing a scene set in

Cologne Cathedral for Tomb of relics I

had the cathedral interactive site open

so I could write as if I was actually

there

I also check aspects of plot as I type

yes sometimes I end up down a rabbit

hole during the draft but that's okay

too because there's gold in the research

process for a discovery writer

I don't do character profiles my

characters emerge from the discovery

writing process

I'll often write a scene to expand on

character motivations and backstory

later in the process but then insert it

earlier in the story

this is why I love writing in scrivener

I can drag and drop and reorder my

scenes as I go

when I get to around 20 000 words of a

full-length novel I often lose track of

what's going on with the different

threads of the story I usually stop and

reread what I have so far noting down

open questions character issues plot

holes and anything else

this process helps me figure out what

else needs to happen and I can usually

write to the end after this we read

I can also use dictation at this point

in the process as I know more about

what's going on but it doesn't usually

work for me earlier in the discovery

process as I only know what I will write

as I type

my first self-edit is when I structure

scenes into chapters and find what I

need to cut and add often that leads to

a major reorganization of the material

it's all part of the discovery process

there are as many different ways of

writing as there are writers but we all

end up with a finished book regardless

of how we get there

you have to find the process that works

for you

questions

what are the benefits of Discovery

writing

what are the potential difficulties

are you excited about the prospect of

Discovery writing

does the empty page scare you or

represent unlimited possibility

how do you think Discovery writing might

fit into your process

so I hope you enjoyed these chapters

from the audiobook of how to write a

novel and that it's given you some ideas

or at least helped you feel like you're

not going bonkers when you're figuring

out your own writing process so of

course that was only two chapters if

you'd like more you can find the

audiobook as well as the ebook print

editions and workbook of how to write a

novel on my store at

creativepenbooks.com you can also find

the audiobook and all the other editions

on the usual stores and audiobook

platforms order it from your local

independent bookstore borrow it from

your library whatever you like so I hope

you found these useful and back to the

usual show on Monday when I'm talking

about different types of traditional

publishing experiences with Georgina

cross so happy writing and I'll see you

next time

thanks for listening today I hope you

found it helpful you might also like the

backlist episodes and show notes

available at thecreativepen.com forward

slash podcast

you can also get your free author

blueprint at thecreativepen.com forward

slash blueprint

if you'd like to connect you can tweet

me at the creative pen or find me on

Facebook at the creativepen see you next

time

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