One Leg In and One Leg Out... Guest Author Christine Warner!!!


Please Welcome Author Christine Warner!!!



One Leg In and One Leg Out

I believe every writer has their own pattern or set of ‘writing rules’ they follow as they create.
Some are Plotters. In the beginning process this type of writer will plot detailed outlines. They’ll make charts with sticky notes, a dry erase board or recipe cards they can rearrange as they write and their story characters, actions or motivations change. Very detailed, they not only know their characters inside and out, they know each scene and have it planned to the most minor detail.

Others just sit down and write. These are the Pantsers. They have a basic concept, but prefer to have the story come to them as they write. The story takes the lead and they follow with the click of their keyboard. They write and write and write without stopping, getting as many words on paper—or electronic paper—as possible. Then, when they feel the story is complete, they go back over it and tweak it. Deepen the POV, fill in description and scene, maybe weave in another subplot. Basically fill in the blanks and give it a fine tune until it sparkles and shines.

Still others will write out of order. I’ve never heard of a label attached to this style of writing, but I call it the Hairpuller (lol…that’s just because it frustrates me). First they might work on chapter one to introduce the main characters and get a better feel for them. Then they might move to chapter five for a huge action scene. From there they jump ahead further to the last chapter to finish the story and see how it works before moving back to fill in the blanks with chapter two. Aaahh…you must write linear…lol (at least I must).

There are probably more styles out there, but these are the main ones I hear other writers talk about. On occasion I like to shake things up on myself and see if I’m missing something. If I try another way of getting my story written, will it improve my writing, keep my motivation high or help me work faster?
Nope… :). I have tried these methods and they aren’t for me. But hats off to the writers who can follow them. That’s the wonderful thing about writing, you can do it your own way. :)

For me, the authors that write out of order amaze me. I just can’t wrap my mind around that one. Lol. I must have order and direction. I have to follow from the beginning, starting with point A and ending with point Z.
Then comes the Pantser. To write without having an idea where your story is going…an incredible concept I can’t fathom. I have tried to just sit in front of my laptop and start with one idea and go. And I can actually do it for awhile, but then I notice I start writing scenes or allowing my characters to have dialogue that really doesn’t advance the story. Or worse yet, I’ll write my characters into a corner and will have to backtrack to get them out and moving in another direction and I end up with a lot of detail I really don’t want or need.

But I’m also not a total Plotter. I think that would take to much organization on my part…lol…and I’d feel like I was wasting to much time mapping everything out when I should be writing.
I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m a totally different writer. Something I’ve termed as One Leg in and One Leg Out—which is basically the way it sounds. I have one leg in my pant and one leg out…so part of me is a pantser with plotter tendancies. lol! And I definitely keep my hands away from my hair, so hairpulling is totally out :).

If you’re wondering what I mean by having one leg in and one leg out, let me clarify.

Basically I plot my stories by making a GMC (goal, motivation and conflict) chart for each character. I know some authors will even do this scene by scene, but I don’t go that deep in the plotting process. Then I write a small bio for each main character and if I have a villain they also get the GMC and bio too. From there I basically write a quickie outline with the major plot points, which also acts as my rough draft for a synopsis. My chart/outline doesn’t include the fluff stuff of the story, but the big points that move the story along. I find if I go into to much detail, I feel frustrated when my story veers in another direction…and I have to say my stories always veer in another direction. I like that I know where my story is going on the major points, but on the other hand I like the fact that something about a character or a scene can pop up and change a detail, adding a new level and depth to a character I hadn’t considered. Thus making my story deeper and more real. (I hope).

This works for me because it keeps me excited about the story. I don’t know every minor detail and I’ll still have some surprises thrown at me, but it also keeps me on track because I know just enough to have direction.

It’s funny how being a pantser or a plotter really fits into everyone’s world, even non-writers.
Some of us like to have lists and schedules and know what we are doing every minute of everyday. Then others fly by the seat of their pants. Jump from bed each morning and go with the flow. Still others (like me), have a general idea, certain things planned and plotted, but let other things come and go as they will.
What about you, writer or not, are you a plotter, pantser or do you hop around when you are putting your pants on with one leg in and one leg out?
I’d like to borrow a bit more of your time and share my debut release with you. Some Like it in Handcuffs was written with one leg in and one leg out…lol


Here’s my blurb for Some Like it in Handcuffs:

Sunny Kennedy, the only female in a family of blue blood male detectives, is determined to prove testosterone isn’t the only qualification required to solve a cold case. Handcuffed while undercover then taken to the precinct by an attractive detective, her domineering family demands she work with Detective Judson Blackwolf, or she’s off the case.

Judson Blackwolf thinks women in law enforcement should work behind the scenes. The prospect of working with his Captain’s sexy daughter doesn’t thrill him. He only agrees in hopes of solving the murder of his one time mentor’s daughter. Once the case is over, he’s moving to Montana to heal his wounds from the loss of his last partner.

But when their investigation takes a dangerous turn, Sunny and Jud soon realize their feelings for each other cannot be denied.

Excerpt:

Judson soaked in her appearance, but controlled
his grin. A pair of baggy sweatpants and a stretched
out blue sweatshirt which matched the color of her
eyes looked sexy as hell on Sunny. She’d pulled her
hair into a pony tail and her small feet were hidden
in a pair of girlish, fluffy, pink slippers.
With her tomboyish ways, he never considered
she’d own anything girly, fluffy, and especially pink.
The black framed glasses perched on the tip of her
nose almost caused him to come undone. He didn’t
usually go for the brainy look, but the whole effect
had him rethink his prejudice. Nerdy looked great
from this view.
He looked around her small, homey apartment.
Antique wooden tables accented the array of bright
colored leather furniture. Neon red, green, yellow
and blue leather filled the room. Somehow the
quirky furnishings matched her personality, and the
way she’d arranged the old and new pieces brought
the room together nicely. Pictures of her family were
visible on every available surface, and unexpected
piles of romance novels covered a corner of the floor
to his right. He smiled at the discovery. He’d have
guessed she’d be more interested in true crime or
mysteries.
He cleared his throat. “Nice place.”
“I like it.”
The way she slid her heart shaped pendant back
and forth along the chain of her necklace betrayed
her agitation. She hid her gaze beneath the fluttery
fan of her lashes.
“Surprised to see me?”
He waited until she’d taken a seat on the yellow
sofa before he claimed a spot on the red chair across
from her.
“You could say that. I hoped you’d drop it and
leave me to work alone.” The smile on her lips didn’t
reach her eyes. “Your tough skin must’ve deflected
the message I sent through my powers of mental
telepathy.”
He laughed outright before he could stop
himself. Her outspoken sense of humor and girl-next-
door-look were a lethal combination since she
was off limits. Only an idiot would mess with the
boss’s daughter.


Some Like it in Handcuffs is available in print and digital format at: http://thewildrosepress.com/ http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ 

And you can find me at: 


Twitter under ChristinesWords: https://twitter.com/#!/ChristinesWords

My Facebook page…stop by and give it a LIKE to keep up on my happenings: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Warner/143430882396013

I love to hear from readers and other authors J

And a HUGE thank you Leanne for having me guest blog here today!

Comments

Anonymous said…
Huge congrats on the release, Christine! I am a complete pantser. I write out GMCs, get a feel for the plot through characters and then I'm writing! Love it. Hate first drafts. Love rewrites. Wonderful interview. Thanks for sharing.
Sharon Cullen said…
Whoot whoot! Congrats on the release!! And why have I never heard of this blog? It combines my two obsessions--books and makeup. I will definitely return.
Thanks for your support ladies and stopping by to comment!

Jennifer I wish I could be more of a panster but I have to have somewhat of an outline to keep my thoughts organized!

And Sharon...love that you found a new blog that is about your passions...WOOT WOOT...can't beat that! lol
Calisa Rhose said…
Congrats sister! I love your cover! :)

I'm absolutely a pantser. I never even heard of plotting until I got serious about my writing in 2005. By that time I'd written dozens, hundreds of for-my-eyes-only-stories, without anything but the seat of my pants to guide me. I doubt I'll change now. lol Though, I have been known in the last year or two to write out character sheets and a short GMC page...not that I ever look at them once I do write them. :)
Brenda said…
Congratulations Christine! I'm so thrilled for you--and for myself because I have SLIIH's on my Kindle.

Oooooh those writers who can write out of order--gives me fits just thinking about it. No way could I do that. I would be bald if I even tried it.
How about we call those writers, The every which way writers, lol. EWWW for short.

I'm like you, a mixture of plotter and pantser. I call writers like us plotsners.

I really love this site. It's beautiful. And I loved your post.
Cynthia Woolf said…
Great post. I'm a sort of pantser. I have a general spark of a story then just go from there.

Cindy
Calisa, I bet that by writing it out you keep it in your memory, so you are helping yourself plot, but internally :) Pretty deep eh? lol

Brenda...lol...you always make me laugh...I love EWWW...that's a perfect term! So glad you have the book and so hope you enjoy it!

Glad you came by Cindy...sounds like you are similar to me, but maybe have your outline written in your mind. I envy you that talent!

Thanks ladies for coming by!!!
Congrats on your latest! It's great! My writing style is a little of both and whatever fits the moment.
Janna Shay said…
I'm a total pantster when it comes to writing, but in my personal life I hop around with one leg in and one leg out.

Congratulations on your release. Best of luck with everything.
Neecy said…
Nice blog, Leanne!
Christine, looking forward to reading all about Sunny and Judson!
Nice little excerpt,
Neecy
Katherine said…
While I am mostly a pantser with a little plotter thrown in I couldn't imagine writing scenes out of order and then trying to piece them together. I'm a linear thinker so maybe that sounds hard to me.

Congrats on your release. :o)
Ally Broadfield said…
I'm a total pantster - and I write out of order. Loved this excerpt!
Unknown said…
Congrats again, Christine!!!

Oh, I'm a linear pantser plotter....BUT I always have future scenes layed out in my head, including the ending...So, I suppose I do some of that hair pulling thing too. Though I don't write those scenes until I get to them.

Great artcle, and wishing you much sucess!!!
Unknown said…
Christine thank you so much for being a Guest on BRNMD!!!!

HUGS! Leanne
Thank you for coming by!

Isabella sounds like your writing style depends on your mood :)

Janna, I'm the same way in my personal life...one leg in and one leg out. LOL..too funny :)

Loving your support Denice xoxox

Katherine, I'm a linear writer too...can't imagine writing like Ally....Ally, writing like that amazes me!

Sara, I think we write very similar!

And HUGE HUGS to you Leanne for having me here today. Loved guesting on your blog :)
ShanonGrey said…
Congrats on the release. Loved the post. I'm a pantser with notes, lol. I sure couldn't write it out of order. I'd probably shoot someone ~ dead characters don't make for HEA. All the luck!

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