I can't make it all the way through a draft without an outline of story beats and at least an idea of the main character(s). I'm realizing I can't start with the outline though. The ideas don't come easily that way. I have to write first and see what comes out. #weeknightwriters #firstdraftfall

I think I need to try this. I've come to realize that I need an outline, but I have such a hard time *starting* with an outline. I don't KNOW all that stuff yet, and starting with character outlines just... doesn't click. I learn my characters through prose. #weeknightwriters #firstdraftfall

It depends on the story. But typically what the character wants and the journey they need to go on, and what stands in their way. Which sounds like the basics but I usually have an outline that's around 2,000-3,000 words so...that too! #FirstDraftFall

I am the plottiest plotter to ever plot. So before I can start writing, I actually have pre production steps that need to be done such as settings and character bios. Because fortunately and unfortunately I can't write what I can't "see" #WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall

For the world: pretty much everything. This is a historical novel, so I need to do so much research.

The characters... the MC is a preacher's kid in the mid 1920s, so... more research.

At least I'm a pantser, so I don't have to understand the story quite yet. 😅

#FirstDraftFall

#FirstDraftFall: Typically I'd want to have a good idea of my characters, character arcs, and major story beats. For short fiction, I tend to have a full scene list as well. For longer fiction, I have a rough outline of what needs to happen in each act and then fill in a scene list from there.

#FirstDraftFall I tend to just dive in once I have a certain idea about a protagonist’s identity, interests, motivations, and how they’ll contribute to a plot.

Then they basically tell me I have no clue what I’m in for and writes the rest of the book for me.

😳

I need to know who all of my characters are, the rough structure in the world, and a vague idea of the major plot points I need to hit.

I've got all of my background work done, and now it's on to character bios.

#FirstDraftFall #HostageSituation #YA

Not so much the world or characters, but more that this is my "Trash draft" that I'm going to improve later. This draft is just to get the thoughts swirling around my head typed. I can make them readable later.

#WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall

#WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall
What do you need to understand about your WIP before you can feel comfortable starting your first draft?

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#FirstDraftFall For right now, Beehemia is just a standalone. Or at least, it'll be written as one. If more adventures of Bee Sherlock Holmes pop up down the road, then that's a problem for future me. :V

It *is* part of a larger universe of work, Discworld-style, though.

October 5th

Today I'll mostly focus on drawing but I'll also do a bit of historical world building too ^^

#FirstDraftFall

I also spent the last couple years in burnout but had to finish a book anyway because Publishing Contract, and I really didn't work on anything except that book because Burnout

but!! I'm hopeful the burnout is gone (???), my ADHD is semi-treated, & I'm excited about MarthaWIP again

#FirstDraftFall

I tried writing a synopsis before I had a first draft for once, bc Publishing, and at first it was magical bc I was fixing plot holes in a book I hadn't even written yet! wow!

then I finished the synopsis and my motivation was gone and I didn't touch the story for a year lol oops

#FirstDraftFall

MarthaWIP is a contemporary fantasy about a grumpy 60yo lesbian ghostspeaker with undiagnosed autism who gets even grumpier when her eldritch ex from 25 years ago turns up amidst an uptick in hauntings

and I'm working on this bc I meant to be done by now lol

#WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall