by Milica Filipovic
Most writers can be categorized as either a plotter or a pantser when it comes to organization. A plotter is someone that prefers to have the information for their story neat and ready before they begin the actual writing process, and a pantser is someone who prefers to dive right in with only their creative mind as a backbone. Writers that find themselves as a mix of these two definitions are called 'plantsers', a category under which I consider myself to be. In all of these cases, there needs to be a level of planning. Whether it be simply writing down ideas so you can incorporate them into your work in progress or creating a distinct timeline of events, you need to find the way that works best for you. Here are a few of my best suggestions regarding the development of your story ideas into fully-fledged pieces.
One of my favorite ways to keep my writing on track is by using a notebook. It’s been proven that writing things down by hand helps to absorb and retain the information written. You can include whatever you’d like in this notebook, any details that will be useful along your journey. I personally prefer to keep my character profiles, deadlines, and spontaneous ideas on paper, while having my outline for chapters and major events available in my online documents. This ensures that the extra details are stored in a safe place but that I also have quick and easy access to more vital information that I’d need whenever and wherever I choose to write.
Additionally, I like to have visuals at hand for when my mind can’t conjure up images. A great resource for free, yet aesthetically pleasing pictures is Pinterest. There’s an endless collection of photographs on every topic imaginable, for free! You can even create boards (folders) for different topics. This site is a very efficient place to find references for locations, people, objects, etc. The only downside is that it can be time-consuming and a distraction from actually writing. Picrew, an online platform where you can create drawings of your characters by editing premade templates, is another fun website to explore for this purpose. These options are digital but feel free to use your own artistic skills to capture your book’s visuals. I unfortunately don't have these talents, so another great resource for visuals, although slightly more expensive, would be contacting digital artists to capture a scene or character from your story. Commissioning pieces ensures that they match up the image you have in your head to the fullest extent and, in the process, support a hardworking artist.
There are also many programs that can be used to help in your writing process. From free sites to paid softwares, each one has its own perks and downfalls. I mainly use Google Docs to write my stories as it's a free resource that is backed up on all my devices. You can edit the margins and formatting with minimal difficulty. Further along the writing process, I use the paid software Scrivener, an outliner and word processor made specifically for authors, to format my work for publishing and experiment with designs. It’s important that you find what works best for you. Some other softwares I recommend are Microsoft Word – which functions similarly to Google Docs with the majority of the same tools; and Reedsy, a website where you can write and store your work safely. Reedsy also has extensive resources on writing and publishing in general. Even though I cannot confirm that these platforms can simultaneously connect across devices, nor that they offer the same practicality, both are great alternatives with unique features.
Upon discovering which platform worked best for me, I began to work on organizing the logistics of my story. As I stated previously, I prefer to do my outlining over Google Docs and place my ideas in chronological order to serve as a guide when I’m writing. My list of potential scenes are jotted down in my writing notebook or Notes app on my phone. I then take these snippets and sort them into major and minor events in my story. With this, I can create a rough outline of my timeline. Finally, I gather all this information and place it in an online document, organizing them by Act > Event > Scene > Description. The information you want to include in this document can be more vague or detailed based on your preferences. This is my favorite way to outline because it’s not time consuming, but still serves its purpose.
Finding the right organizational strategy is crucial for any writer, whether you're a plotter or a pantser. The key lies in striking a balance between planning and creativity, ensuring that you have enough structure to guide your story while leaving room for spontaneity. Remember, the best method is the one that works for you, so don’t hesitate to experiment with different techniques and tools until you find your ideal workflow. Happy writing!
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