All things writing Complicated, big Plots...Does anyone else do this?

[Tambra]

Hi y'all,

I thought my novel was going to be around 55,000 to 60,000 words. Now, it appears there's so much this may be a trilogy. Genre is YA gaslamp fantasy.

I'll be taking Angela Knight's workshop that begins tomorrow and I'm excited about it. She ALWAYS gives fantastic workshops, if case you haven't taken one of hers before.

I'm doing Sarra Cannon's note card system (first time trying it) as well as using a three-ring binder with Scrivener to hold research information.

Once I get this first book plotted, I think it will be easier to get an idea for the other two along with the overarching plot and character growth. I've never plotted and written a series before. Suggestions are welcome!

Tambra

 

[jrgoetz]

I've always done something similar, writing out the basic arc, then going back and dividing it into act one, two, and three. From there I usually break it down to story points/chapters. One thing, for me at least, is that once I have a good skeleton, I like to just jump into the writing. Sometimes in a linear fashion, other times jumping all over. Either way, I usually stumble upon things that I am adding and then going back and inserting as I go. Through it all, I've found it helpful that I have a notebook for hard copy notes, thoughts, plotting, etc.

 

[Tambra]

I've always done something similar, writing out the basic arc, then going back and dividing it into act one, two, and three. From there I usually break it down to story points/chapters. One thing, for me at least, is that once I have a good skeleton, I like to just jump into the writing. Sometimes in a linear fashion, other times jumping all over. Either way, I usually stumble upon things that I am adding and then going back and inserting as I go. Through it all, I've found it helpful that I have a notebook for hard copy notes, thoughts, plotting, etc.

Thank you so much! Breaking down the elements into bite-sized pieces and then arranging in the three-act structure keep me on the path. Appreciate you taking the time to reply!

Tambra