JoHoTo #2 Getting it Down on Paper
Now, we talk about getting your great idea on paper...or PC.
That is one of the first questions writers struggle with.
Do I write my story the old-fashioned way, with pen and paper, or do I type it straight into my PC (or Mac)?
There are certain advantages and disadvantages for each.
Pen & Paper
Advantages:
1. More portable. You can sneak a small spiral almost anywhere, even someone's three-hour graduation (not that I have) so you
can write any time an idea strikes you.
2. More affordable. For about five dollars, you've got something to hold your entire novel.
3. Ease of free-flowing thought. Scratch out what you don't like, write alternative ideas in the margins, etc. Plus, that cursor
isn't blinking up at you, as if to say, "Well?"
Disadvantages:
1. More likely loss of data. You could literally LOSE the data by misplacing something you've jotted down or having a small child
or bored adult cover your work in fingerpaint.
2. Less organized/legible. We've all had those days where we write like we're using our feet, and we have to squint to make out
what we've put, not to mention we don't always limit our writing to one surface. Napkin, anyone?
3. Less convenient. You're still going to have to transfer it all to the PC at some point.
PC/Mac
Advantages:
1. More convenient. With just a few keystrokes, you can copy and paste an entire page to a different location if you realize one event
should happen before another. If your writing's in soft copy, you can also email it to crit buddies, your agent, etc.
2. More organized. Sometimes, it's easier to follow a line of thought if it's clean and uncluttered. Writing in the margins on paper is
great, but you can easily forget where you meant to stick those little gems. Plus, you can save each chapter as an individual file. Instead
of rifling through dozens of pages to find one scene, you simply pull up the chapter file you need.
3. That "real" feeling. For some reason, when you sit in front of a keyboard, your mind kicks into "let's do this" mode, and you FEEL like a real writer.
Disadvantages:
1. That stupid blinking cursor. You know what I mean. It psyches you out and creates anxiety and writer's block.
2. More expensive. You'll need a computer, the software, CDs or an external hard drive, a printer....
3. More catastrophic memory loss. If you only save to your internal hard drive (C:), you're a fool. Burn to disc, email to yourself, whatever
it takes, because if you lose a hard drive, you don't lose one story, you lose ALL your stories.
Which do I prefer?
It depends on the situation. If I know what I want to say, I use PC. If I'm trying to flesh out an idea, I use pen and paper.
The second question writer's struggle with:
Should I outline my entire novel before I write it, or should I just get started?
This is what we call plotting vs. plunging, and they too have their advantages and disadvantages.
Plotting
Advantages:
1. Feeling of control. We all like to know where we're going. If you outline chapter by chapter, there are no surprises.
2. Better focus. Because you know what is expected from point to point, you're better able to channel your story to meet each end.
3. Visible progress. Along the same lines as focus, you can actually SEE how your story is shaping in line with what you want.
Disadvantages:
1. Stifled creativity. If you have a brilliant idea that doesn't fit your outline, you can't use it unless you backtrack.
2. Painful backtracking. No story will EVER flow as you want from beginning to end. With a strict format, you will gnash your teeth and rip
your shirt when you realize it means re-plotting (or when you're a werewolf).
3. Slower entry to story. First, you have to take time to create the outline. Then, you have to think out everything you want to write to
follow the outline.
Plunging
Advantages:
1. Freedom! You can take that story wherever you want without any limitations or boundaries.
2. Faster entry to story. You just start writing. That's all there is to it.
3. More options. If you free-flow, you'll often discover ideas you wouldn't have considered under a stricter format.
Disadvantages:
1. Less structure. When you don't know where to go, sometimes you don't know where to start.
2. Danger of convolution. Because you're letting the story go where it may, it might take you longer to get to the point.
3. More confusion. With convolution, your audience is lost. With confusion, you are lost. It may take you a while to remember where
you were going with a scene if you don't have it mapped out.
Again, which do I prefer?
A little of both, but in my opinion, you should always have an idea of where your story starts and ends.
I like to have a general idea of where the story is going, so I'll outline a few points, but I take many creative liberties getting to them.
Move on to JoHoTo #3!
For JoHoTos (Step-By-Steps on the Writing Process), click here
For Writers Wonder, click here
For Writing Resources, click here
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