Pantser or Plotter?

I was a total pantser when I first starting writing a few years ago. Then I evolved into being a pantser and sometimes plotting/outlining. Now, I think I'm moving toward mostly plotting and outlining ahead of time.

For me, I'm finding it makes it so much easier to write the story because I know exactly where I need to go. It's like mapping out a roadtrip. On those trips you look at your map and mark all the points of interest for where you want to stop and check things out. Only for writing, your marking your plots.

I've been leaning toward this method more in the last couple of manuscripts. I've read a lot about plotting and trying to understand how everything should fit together to make an awesome story. I'm still learning everything I can about it but wanted to share a couple of the sites I've been looking at recently that have helped me.

Martha Alderson - Plot Whisperer
(I've watched every single one of these videos and took MEGA notes. I'm sure I'll watch them again.)

Novel Writing Help.Com
(This site spells it out pretty well)

So, here's a question for you - are you a pantser, plotter, or combine a bit of both?

Also, if you have any sites or blogs, blog posts to share about plotting, I'd love to hear about them.

Happy Writing all!

Kimberly

First Campaign Challenge - Thirty Seconds to Live

Okay, here is my attempt at flash fiction for the 1st Campaign Challenge. I'm not good with short stories but I gave it a try. :) I got it at 200 words exactly (excluding the title). I'm looking forward to reading the others!


Thirty Seconds to Live

The door swung open while I held my breath and dropped through the tube. I have thirty seconds to get to the bottom, regain my equilibrium and hit the button. Otherwise, I'll be the fifth fatality and there'll be no one to stop Del from completely disengaging the air filtration system.

I run through the scenario three times before I land on Carson, the last kid to attempt entry. He didn't even make it to the door. Stumbling over him I scramble to my feet, still holding my breath and hit the airlock button. The door slides open and as soon as I'm inside I smack the panel to close it, wait a few seconds and then inhale a clean, welcoming breath of air. But I have no time to enjoy it.

I fix my ponytail, pull Bessie from my holster, and slip around a row of machines with blinking lights - the system keeping the air clean so that our colony can survive on Primazero.

"Why you, Ashlin?"

I swing around. "What are you doing?"

"It'll be easier this way. Better than if the Virals get us first."

"We killed them. Except one," I say staring straight at him.

Blogger Game for Rach's Campaign

Okay, a lot of the Campaigners are kicking it off with a blogger game to get to know each other. I think this is a great idea!

Here's how it works. I'll post 10 random things about myself (but I might use some things I've already posted before :) If you're interested in playing along, post 10 things about yourself on your blog. If the user account you post with doesn't link over to your blog, be sure to leave your blog url so I can check out your 10 random things. :)

Here's mine in no particular order.

#1. I've been into watching the Ghost Whisperer recently. They've been re-running this show, but unfortunately not in the right order.

#2. I'm currently really addicted to the Query Tracker comments section.

#3. I just recently discovered I love Carrabba's. (hope I spelled that right) Yummy!!

#4. I am currently reading The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan.

#5. I was caught half naked once in front of lots of people during a military drill. But I wasn't the only one. Long story and I might tell it someday.

#6. I lived in Japan for 5 1/2 years - it was awesome.

#7. The quickest I wrote any of my novels was about 3 months and that was with work, and kids and everything.

#8. I am really into sparkly blinged out tops these past few months - not sure what's gotten into me but I gravitate towards them.

#9. I love, love, love getting critiques. Love it.

#10. I have an ottoman surfing dog. The ottoman is his domain and when he plays, he gets excited and races toward the ottoman, jumps on top and it slides over the tile - sometimes several feet. :)