Is it counter productive to ruminate over a story idea? Are we in danger of over thinking the story, it's plot and characters? Out lines are one thing but can we lose the essence of the creative process by pre-planning too much detail?
As you all know I write by the seat of my pants and let my muse have free rein. The idea grows naturally with my characters telling me their story. Once the tale is completed then I go back to edit and revise. This way, I feel I have not lost anything and can be pulled along with my protagonist.
We all have a process unique to our creativity. Recently, I attended an interview with Alistair MacLeod, a Canadian author of short stories. His technique of editing line by line would cancel out my creative process immediately but it is the way he has worked for decades. I can't fathom how he can retain his idea, if each line has to be perfect before he continues.
These comments show different perspectives:
Ruminate - definition: 1) to chew the cud, as a cow does 2) to think over and over again : ponder
Is it counter productive to ruminate over a story idea? Are we in danger of over thinking the story, it's plot and characters? Out lines are one thing but can we lose the essence of the creative process by pre-planning too much detail?
As you all know I write by the seat of my pants and let my muse have free rein. The idea grows naturally with my characters telling me their story. Once the tale is completed then I go back to edit and revise. This way, I feel I have not lost anything and can be pulled along with my protagonist.
We all have a process unique to our creativity. Recently, I attended an interview with Alistair MacLeod, a Canadian author of short stories. His technique of editing line by line would cancel out my creative process immediately but it is the way he has worked for decades. I can't fathom how he can retain his idea, if each line has to be perfect before he continues.
These comments show different perspectives:
Is it counter productive to ruminate over a story idea? Are we in danger of over thinking the story, it's plot and characters? Out lines are one thing but can we lose the essence of the creative process by pre-planning too much detail?
As you all know I write by the seat of my pants and let my muse have free rein. The idea grows naturally with my characters telling me their story. Once the tale is completed then I go back to edit and revise. This way, I feel I have not lost anything and can be pulled along with my protagonist.
We all have a process unique to our creativity. Recently, I attended an interview with Alistair MacLeod, a Canadian author of short stories. His technique of editing line by line would cancel out my creative process immediately but it is the way he has worked for decades. I can't fathom how he can retain his idea, if each line has to be perfect before he continues.
These comments show different perspectives:
I always enjoy these witty posts!
Thank you.
Looking forward to Sog’s next post…was that a hint? LOL
I’m a pantser writer. I’ve tried to plan this next novel and it’s not feeling good so I’ve started typing. I do however spend a lot of time going over it in my head. I think we can only do what works for us and as a new writer it will probably take some time to find my way.
You sound like me Rebecca, the story flows through our fingertips. My characters usually talk to me too!