I'm a pantser; I admit it.The
easiest way for me to write the first draft of a new novel is to simply do
it. That doesn't mean I do no planning. I spend time working out the plot in my head and getting to know the characters. Most important I decide on the endgame. I have to know where I want the
characters to end up, but in the middle I find it easiest to let each
day's scene evolve from the day before.
This method works well for creating
the first draft, but it comes with a penalty. Often my
time sequences are off. This is a serious problem in the mysteries I
write. Events must happen in a particular sequence so that the ending
is believable and comes as something of a surprise to the reader, but
is buttressed by clues along the way.
I solve this problem by making a
detailed timeline once the draft is finished, and I've had a chance to
get away from it for awhile. It sometimes takes a bit of rewriting to
assure that all the events happen in the proper sequence, but by then
I know my characters, setting, and plot so fixing the details is
easier.
This is the season of Nanowrimo when
writers are encouraged to just write the novel. I think it's great
advice. At least at the end you have something to work with. So,
pantsers, enjoy the creative month of November. January is a good
month to step back and work on the timeline of your novel.
