Question for writers

[Harlow]

When starting to write a story, do you have EVERYTHING on mind start-to-finish? Or you improvise as it seems fit?

I'm starting to write a story, but should I wait till I have a complete synopsis? Or just adapt as it goes?

EDIT: Here are some facts of the story per se:

-Takes a very long timeline (18-20 years)

-Progresses a bit fast at first then goes slowly

-At some point, the main character would change

I already have some keystones, I don't have a defined ending, I want to make more keystones close to the beggining of the story.

[Psygonis]

A story begins in a given situation and ends with another. These are the two things that have to come first. Where you start, and where the finish line is.

To keep up with this race metaphore, before actually starting to write, it is better to set intermediate checkpoints, so you never get lost on the way.

Put all that down clean on paper and you shall be able to build a sound base for a good story!

Then, the main character. Develop his own background and such and draw it all on a timeline. Then only after, build other characters and adjust them according to your main character's timeline and add their adjusted timeline on your diagram. By doing so, you ensure that you never generate plot-holes or space-time incoherences...

If you plan some reeeeally big story, then split it up in kind of parts, or arcs, like missions in a game. Arcs can be relative to situations (like storyline quests) or characters (item/skill quests). This means a global arc can be composed of sub-arcs to unlock events, or that different characters have simultaneously different arcs (parallel, concurring or splitting) or cross each-other. Arcs can be started (or ended) outside of your narration's scope too. But try not to make things too complicated huh!

There are certainly other preps' you could think of but these several steps described above are critical to be settled right before you start writing any line of story! (As a matter of facts, these tips work for any kind of stories. But you have to know that different kind of stories have different codes, rythmes and so on and so forth, so try to take this into account when you set checkpoints and adjust timelines... )

[Drasiana]

It really depends. All people write differently; there's no real "correct" way of doing it, just finding the way that works for you.

I like to have a very general outline or beat sheet of where the story is going (point form of what happens and in what order), but things usually change a bit and often for the better once I sit down to actually write it.

There are dangers to just "winging it" when you write, so try to at least have some concept of where the story's going, even if it's just a couple points like the inciting incident (event that sets the story in motion), the midpoint of the story, the climax, and various other "turning points" that put the story in a new direction. But I leave room to discover as I write!

[Vulvokunvrii]

I write stuff as it comes to me, sometimes i stop to think. THen i go back to fix it.

[Redeemer]

I'm always at least half way there. I work out my characters, their story, how they relate to one another, what happens when they meet, and take it from there. Sometimes I get inspired along the way, so I always leave the ending open until the last minute.

Edit: Wow, I somehow copy and pated that twice in the same post. That's not even a double post, that's a... I don't even. I am NOT ready for work. :/

Edited July 10, 2011 by Redeemer

[Xortberg]

As for me, it depends on what I'm writing. If I'm writing say, a oneshot fanfic, I'll just let the characters write themselves and see how it ends. If it's something longer, I need to at least have a few checkpoints along the way planned, as well as the general ending. And if it's something like poetry, I rarely even worry about anything and just write based on a theme or prompt and hope for the best.

[Vy'drach]

I learned my lesson about just "winging" it, when I attempted to write something that was originally planned for a comedy type thing, and it developed itself into a psychological mindfuck.

So now, I tend to write down main ideas and key events in the story, as a skeletal structure for the story, then build upon that.

But you gotta find what works for you, and don't be surprised if a story ends up writing itself from time to time.

[kkstarfox]

When starting to write a story, do you have EVERYTHING on mind start-to-finish? Or you improvise as it seems fit?

I'm starting to write a story, but should I wait till I have a complete synopsis? Or just adapt as it goes?

EVERYTHING! No never. I refuse as an author to even have more then a vague plotline. I don't have goals, neither do I have checkpoints. That being said i have a general sense of what i want done, and how i want to say it. Other then that I free write my stories, and let the story write itself. That way not only I, but others can enjoy the story, but so can I! I just love watching unfold before my eyes.

Not having goals in line, or a plot to follow allows me to be more creative. There are some times where i will stop writing a novel for a month due to irl problems, then I go back and dont remember my chain of thought on what i was writing. But I still go on writing the novel, and it still sounds good, the words I wrote. And you know what, they sound even better. So, all things considered, some things happen for a reason.

Just let you muse be your guide, and do what makes you comfortable.

[Sluggsnipa]

When starting to write a story, do you have EVERYTHING on mind start-to-finish? Or you improvise as it seems fit?

I'm starting to write a story, but should I wait till I have a complete synopsis? Or just adapt as it goes?

My stories get off-track after the 5 chapter...(but they're below decent)

I say you shouldn't improvise,I get writer's block afterwards and screw with the story.

Brainstorm and have everything laid out at once.

You'll be good then.

[VypersnakeX]

When starting to write a story, do you have EVERYTHING on mind start-to-finish? Or you improvise as it seems fit?

I'm starting to write a story, but should I wait till I have a complete synopsis? Or just adapt as it goes?

EDIT: Here are some facts of the story per se:

-Takes a very long timeline (18-20 years)

-Progresses a bit fast at first then goes slowly

-At some point, the main character would change

I already have some keystones, I don't have a defined ending, I want to make more keystones close to the beggining of the story.

I make all the details up as I go, but I make up the basic story and character details at the start. And there is a thing called editing, so if you don't like something about it, change it.

[Matrilwood]

You should not start writting the final copy until you have a complete draft that could be understood and read. ESPECIALLY since you don't even have a complete story. Because your story has such a wide span, it's important to have all the details of what's supposed to happen first before you start getting into the nitty-gritty details. In other words DO NOT GET AHEAD OF YOURSELF. I did that with Dragon King and the first version turned out utter crap.

I always go in 4 parts, each part adding another level of detail

overview, synopsis, draft and then I make it fancy.

Overview is just talking about the key events, that's where the most of the doing it as you go along comes in. It basicly laying down the plot.

The synopsis goes into a little bit more detail, think of the synopsis as telling someone else about what happened, you wouldn't go into the nitty gritty details and you wouldn't include non-critical dialogue but you'd give the listener a good idea of what happens.

The Draft is, for all intents and purposes, a script, of exactly what the characters are doing and thinking and saying, as well as what's happening around them. It's basically a movie script, except for a book instead of a movie.

Then the final piece is where you add in all the "fancy-shit" that makes a book entertaining.

-------------------

For example

Overview (May sometimes omit events entirely)

Chris met Sarra

Synopsis

Chris was in the school yard walking to class, he ran into Sarra and they had a typical "I'll help you pick up your books" moment.

Draft (Script)

Setting: School - Going to class

Sarra: *Carelessly runs into Chris, and drops her books everywhere*

Chris: Oh, so sorry *Helps Sarra with her books*

Sarra: It's ok.

Chris: *Looks into Sarra's eyes and get's enchanted*

Final Piece

It was spring and the flowers were in full bloom. Sarra was enjoying the warm sunlight when she crashed into something...

(You get the idea)

[Thu'um]

do it from the heart man from the heart

[Xortberg]

Matrilwood, that's actually a pretty damn good looking format. I think I might try it out sometime.

[Prince Elite]

I try to have a general plan set out, key plots of the story so you have something to fall back on and use for reference, but the little details i usually make up as i go along, crazy

[Rin]

Usually for me, my writing starts out with a base idea, then adapts as it grows.

Of course, I usually only write one-shots, but still.