Plotting Out Novels: Do You or Don't You?

I am currently working on a short series of books for one of my all time favorite clients. Due to confidentiality, I can't tell you his name so we will call him...Lamar.

Yeah. Lamar. I like that name. Maybe I'll use it in a future novel...

Anyway, Lamar has a fabulous idea about a series of books and has asked me to write them. The only problem is that he would like me to outline the chapters in each book prior to writing them. Now I say that is a problem, because it's very different from the way I normally work. Not that I can't do it, but it is more difficult for me. I'm grateful that since I have worked on several other projects with Lamar that he tends to be understanding about my temperamental, artistic side and doesn't get freaked out if I have to make changes to the process of writing.

I'm used to having an idea where I can see the beginning and the ending really well. The middle may be murky, but I know it will become more clear as I work. Writing hard and fast is usually the way I accomplish getting the story down.  For me, the story has to go on its own course a while without a lot of prior planning. Then I go back and write a synopsis of what I've done so I can see what works and what doesn't. That's the outlining phase and the part where I can set down more specific details about what else needs to happen or what must become more clear.

This is the way I work best.

Yet, I think as a writer, it's important to be open to change. Who's to say I'm not missing out on a whole new process that could work even better for me?

So, I'm curious, fellow writers. How much plotting do you do prior to actually writing?

The Plotting Process

I'll continue this week with processes that a writer uses. 

First, a few words on actual structure. I'm coming at this from a mystery writer's perspective, so my notes and sources are generally skewed in that direction.

For physical structure, I like to use the W plot. Kris Neri first introduced this to me, but many writers use it. It's very hard to find a good picture of it, but this site includes a simple diagram a little over halfway down the page. For mystery fiction, it's useful to put one more hump in it. Point A starts at the top left, B is the bottom of the first downstroke, then C is up, D is down (but not as far down as C), E is up (but not as far up as D), F is way down, and G finishes with a big upstroke.

A: Begin and immediately start a struggle for your protagonist

B: Pull the rug out from under her

C: Allow her some progress toward her goal

D: Give her a hurdle and make her think that her goal will be in sight once she leaps it

E: Move her close, but then make things worse

F: This is the low point of her struggle, she despairs that she will ever reach her goal

G: She finds a way to prevail

This works for a broad overview of the plot. You can also use one for each subplot and plan where they'll overlap and/or intersect.

I like to brainstorm with myself a bit and set up plot points. If I can end up with at least 12, I distribute them into Act I, Act IIA, Act IIB, and Act III. If I can work from point to point, putting at least 5400 words between points, I know I'll end up with a 65,000 word novel on first draft. From there, I usually layer in some texture. I revisit dialog and description, and try to put as many of the 5 senses into each scene as I can. I make sure each scene has a goal, conflict, and resolution. That last should lead to another goal set up to keep the story going.

Sounds simple, but the plot points tend to morph during writing. Some don't work out, others have to be added, always paying attention to the ebb and flow of action that some call scene and sequel. Character refuse to play the role you've assigned to them, and other characters pop up unbidden and interrupt things. Yikes! How did I ever write a novel?

So, I guess, it's complicated. I'm open to suggestions on how to plot here! It's good to see how others do it.

To prepare this blog, I googled around and found some sources new to me. These folks have some good thoughts on plotting for fiction:

http://www.fictionfactor.com/articles/plot.html

http://www.fictionforum.net/writers/articles/plotting-the-basic-pattern-writing-plots-129.html

http://sylviajshipp.typepad.com/novel/2007/06/jk-rowlings-plot-chart-for-fiction-writing.html

http://www.writingeducatorssymposium.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/andrews-socratic.pdf

http://www.slideshare.net/amyd22/elements-of-a-plot-diagram

Here's a fun one:

http://weirdfictionreview.com/2012/05/flow-chart-of-the-damned-stephen-graham-jones-on-weird-fiction/