I’ve mentioned before that I’m a pantser. That is to say, I write by
the seat of my pants – whatever comes to mind, I write, and let the words flow
out. Apart from the occasional “block,” writing comes fairly naturally to me as one of the gifts with which God has blessed me. This
may not be what you want to hear, but it’s true.
If someone asks, as they
recently did, how I know how to deposit the right detail at the right time –
for pacing, say – I find myself at a loss to explain, as I have no real thought-out
process. I write, read my work aloud, revise, repeat.
I can see the value in writing in a journal or notebook. I just never
have one on hand, nor am I the type of person to wake up in the middle of the
night and write down an idea. I’ll have an idea all right; I’ll even wake up and
mull it over. But that’s where the action ends for me. I’m not going to leap
out of bed or even roll over and grab a pen and paper off my nightstand to
write it down. I can’t say it’s laziness as much as tiredness. I’d rather go
back to sleep.
Does this mean I’m less observant or alert? Maybe. But I guess I’m okay
with that. I’m still writing and, for the most part, writing well. A greater
challenge for me is the submitting to publishers and agents part. Let’s chat
about that!
______________
Please visit Susan at www.susan-barclay.blogspot.ca
Just because you don't get out of bed to write your thoughts down does not mean that you're lazy. Every writer has their own writing techniques. Some can move or sleep past their thoughts while others have a fear of not being able to remember those thoughts come morning. That's me! I agree with your - submitting our writing is another story in itself. Keep writing by the seat of your pants!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vickie!
DeleteWe're all unique!
ReplyDeleteAnd we thank God for it - He knew the world needed variety! :)
DeleteI totally relate; journals were a big thing in my past but not so much anymore; I tend to write like you do; just let it come. I've always struggled with too many 'writerly rules' and when I follow them too closely my writing comes out stilted and not sounding like me at all. Is there a balance? I'm not sure. Maybe not for us seat of the pants writers.
ReplyDeleteps. I loved the way you wrote your post; short and sweet and to the point; like a true panster (who wants to go back to sleep lol)
Haha!
DeleteI need to take your last paragraph with me and maybe put it in the writer's notebook I'm planning to start, as I also have decided I need something besides journalling. But here you say, Does this mean I’m less observant or alert? Maybe. But I guess I’m okay with that. I’m still writing and, for the most part, writing well. A greater challenge for me is the submitting to publishers and agents part. Let’s chat about that!
ReplyDeleteI don't think you are unobservant at all and you do write well. I need to remind myself that I also am an observer, especially of human nature and God's nature, but I also need to get my writing pieces polished up and sent out to suitable markets. Thanks for your thoughts, Sleeping Beauty.
Thanks so much, Sharon. Especially love your last sentence, LOL! Happy to provide an entry for *your* notebook :)
DeleteLove your honesty, Susan. Panster process is an okay way. Some people can manage thoughts better in their head. Others need a written plan. I am sort of in between. I sometimes am a panster. I sometimes am a planner. Maybe I am a Planster! And I've given up trying to remember stuff so my life consists of sticky notes and hastily scribbled ideas, lest I forget!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Glynis. Love your coined term, planster!
Delete