Today, I continue my interview with author, Erica Vetsch.
CJ: Are you a seat of the pants writer or do you follow an outline?
Erica: Today as I was working on a synopsis for a proposal, I was wondering if there is such a thing as a seat-of-the-plotter :-) I like to have a chapter-by-chapter synopsis, bit I don't like to flesh it out to the point where there is no serendipity, nothing exciting and unknown that can happen while I write. I love those invisible connections that are threaded throught the story that I don't know are there until the words flow out. That's when the writing feels the most alive, the most vibrant for me. If I don't have that, then the writing feels flat to me, and I get consumed by writer's doubt. That's a killer. So, I try to avoid it by always leaving some breathing room in my synopsis for the unexpected to happen.
Do you have any questions for Erica? Leave a comment to be entered into a drawing for a copy of Erica's book The Bartered Bride. Leave a comment each day to increase your chances of winning. The winner will be announced on Saturday. Won't that make a nice treat for Halloween?
CJ: Are you a seat of the pants writer or do you follow an outline?
Erica: Today as I was working on a synopsis for a proposal, I was wondering if there is such a thing as a seat-of-the-plotter :-) I like to have a chapter-by-chapter synopsis, bit I don't like to flesh it out to the point where there is no serendipity, nothing exciting and unknown that can happen while I write. I love those invisible connections that are threaded throught the story that I don't know are there until the words flow out. That's when the writing feels the most alive, the most vibrant for me. If I don't have that, then the writing feels flat to me, and I get consumed by writer's doubt. That's a killer. So, I try to avoid it by always leaving some breathing room in my synopsis for the unexpected to happen.
Do you have any questions for Erica? Leave a comment to be entered into a drawing for a copy of Erica's book The Bartered Bride. Leave a comment each day to increase your chances of winning. The winner will be announced on Saturday. Won't that make a nice treat for Halloween?
I think Erica and I outline and plot in a very similar way. I like to know where I'm going, but also leave room for those fun and unexpected twists and turns!
ReplyDeleteSo Erica, does it feel real yet, having your book in hand?
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the plot board! I love plotting with you when we break out all the fun colored post-its.
ReplyDeleteHeather
Hey, Jody, isn't there something magical that happens when all those plot threads turn out to be an amazing tapestry?
ReplyDeleteLinda, it's getting 'realer' by the moment. :)
Heather, I love the plot board, and I'm thinking we need to get it out again soon!