Wow! It’s been awhile since I’ve been here and I do apologize…it seem I’ve been “stuck”. Authors, you know what I’m talking about, or maybe you don’t. If you don’t, you’re the lucky ones. With several projects in the hopper ~ and with most at midpoint, my goal is to finish what I’ve started, which is easier said than done.

As a pantser, I find myself faced with the grueling task of revising and editing the crazy first draft of one of the most complete of the above projects. I’ve got several scenes and now need to weave everything together. The thread I’m looking for is plot. This is a longer piece which I want to grow into a novel as opposed to a short story or novella. The characters and story have been awaiting my return. I really don’t want to disappoint them, but it isn’t fair to let them go without doing their story justice. That involves work, hard work…and so here I am, a pantser who got stuck:-( and has been procrastinating.

Will I ever become a reformed pantser? I doubt it, but I think I’d fare better if I attempted to use an outline and plot a bit more. To that end, I’ve discovered a great website called the Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers by Martha Alderson. She also hosts a YouTube Plot Series entitled Plot a Novel. The series features 21 steps to plotting a novel, memoir, or screenplay. Each step is approximately four to ten minutes in length. I watched the first in the series and found it to be quite inspirational and most helpful, just what I needed to great those creative juices flowing again.

I was impressed enough to order a copy of her book, Blockbuster Plots – Pure and Simple, and received my copy in the mail today:-). I don’t think this will be a book that sits on my bookshelf…Alderson really knows her stuff ~ she demystifies plot development and includes strategies on how to build a novel. From what I’ve seen so far, it is written with clarity and style. Her words really are pure and simple ~ very zen. I love it.

I’m committed to completing this workbook and promise to keep you updated on my progress…From the back cover:

“If you are having difficulty seeing where your story is headed, or if ideas are rolling around in your head but you are having trouble getting started, or if your book has been rejected time and time again, you most likely need help with plot. This is the workbook for you.”

She also has a website: blockbuster plots for writers (Check out the plot tools!)

Now it’s back to the book for me ~ I’ve got to get unstuck. Wish me luck:-) All the writers out there…How do you get unstuck?