Edward L. Lanner
I don’t plot a novel in advance, preferring to discover the story through the characters. This approach results in my suffering a loss of momentum about halfway into the story, requiring me to work out how to reach the end (which I usually know in general terms).
At this point, I will layout (using PowerPoint slides) those scenes I know lie ahead and consider what is necessary to bridge those scenes. If I’m particularly stuck, I might work on writing some of the future scenes or return to my Characterisation and Setting notes. The source of difficulty might lie in my not knowing enough about the motivations of one character, say, or not be knowledgeable enough about location details.
It is also good at this stage to carefully re-read the work so far and look for thematic contradictions or tonal problems. (For example, in the novel I am working on, I am trying to incorporate comedic elements of the characterisation within what is a nightmarish storyline.)
At this point, I will layout (using PowerPoint slides) those scenes I know lie ahead and consider what is necessary to bridge those scenes. If I’m particularly stuck, I might work on writing some of the future scenes or return to my Characterisation and Setting notes. The source of difficulty might lie in my not knowing enough about the motivations of one character, say, or not be knowledgeable enough about location details.
It is also good at this stage to carefully re-read the work so far and look for thematic contradictions or tonal problems. (For example, in the novel I am working on, I am trying to incorporate comedic elements of the characterisation within what is a nightmarish storyline.)
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