Planning
2008 September 14
Below is a list that I’ve come up with for the things I need to plan before I can start writing. I’m going to use it to give myself a target date for starting writing.
- Characters
- For the hero, heroine, two antagonists and the hero’s best friend I need to work out:
- A basic backstory. How does it shape who they are at the start of the story?
- How many people are in their family? How do they get on with each of them? Why are their relationships like that?
- What do they want? Will they get it? If yes, how? What must they overcome/sacrifice to get it? If no, why not? Are they thwarted by someone else? Do they give it up for something/someone else?
- What do they fear? Will it come about? If yes, will they overcome it and if so, how? If not, why not? How will the failure affect them? If it doesn’t come about, how did they avoid it?
- Who are their friends? How did their friendship come about? What do they like/dislike about them? How will their friendships be challenged in the story? Will they still be friends at the end of the story? If not, why not?
- Who are their enemies? How did they end up enemies? How are their enemies trying to hurt them? How are they trying to hurt their enemies? Will they win out over their enemies? If so, how and at what cost? Are they still enemies at the end of the story?
- Have they ever been in love? How did this love end, or is it still going strong? How do they feel about it now? If it ended badly, how did it shape their attitude to love? Are they in love now? If so, does the person they’re in love with love them too? Does the person know about the characters feelings? How will they try to make the love work?
- What’s their name, age, height, looks, occupation, hobbies etc?
- For any other significant characters:
- A basic backstory.
- How are they related to the main characters?
- How do they shape the story? Do they help or hinder the main characters, and in what ways?
- What’s their name, age, height, looks, occupation, hobbies etc?
- For the hero, heroine, two antagonists and the hero’s best friend I need to work out:
- Plot – I’ll update this at a later date, as I think I have plenty to be going on with!
- World – as above!
Thanks to these website that helped me a lot with ideas for the planning:
http://www.hollylisle.com/fm/Workshops/character-workshop.html
That is a good list and I’m sure that will help immensely.
Unfortunately, for me I can’t write with a plan like this. I’ve tried and failed miserably. I’m a “seat of the pants” writer. Your way is definitely better, though.
Thank you – I could never have come up with it without those websites though!
In all honesty I prefer “seat of the pants” writing, but my problem is without an idea of where I’m going I seem to fizzle out of ideas after just a few scenes so I thought I’d try a new approach. I’m a bit worried about over planning it though and killing off the inspiration so I hope it works!