I knew at some point that there would be a big showdown. I knew what I wanted my first chapter to be, so I just jotted down the idea quickly on the tiny sticky note. Whoever invented the sticky note was a genius. Compensating for word variance, and the fact that even plotted out I might need an extra chapter here or there, I lined up 30 sticky notes, 10 to a row, like this:Įach row then became the beginning, middle and end of the story. If each chapter is 1,500 words, then I would need about 33 chapters. Most middle grades come in at about 50,000 words. Next, I needed to figure out about how many chapters my book would have. I covered the cork board with butcher paper. Plus, it eliminates having to stop mid-thought to sharpen a pencil. The mechanical pencil is a must have because the sticky notes are small.

Then, I took a quick trip to the Walmart, and picked up: a pack of tiny sticky notes, a beautiful Pilot mechanical pencil with extra lead, some push pins and a tupperware container. I went to Goodwill and found a cork board in pretty good condition for about $4. It may or may not work for you, but so far, I love love love knowing the entire arc of my story as I’m writing. I decided for my next novel that I would plot out the whole thing before I wrote one word. Better than two years, but still not quite fast enough. As a weekend warrior, I finished my sci-fi middle grade in 9 months. Mainly, because I have a great premise but can’t figure out for the life of me where it goes next.įrom my experiences in writing, I determined that it is so much easier to write when I know what is going to happen in the story. I feel grateful for having written that terrible novel, because I wholeheartedly believe it taught me how (and how not) to write.Īs a pantser I have written multiple chapter ones that go nowhere. I put it in the drawer, and it hasn’t come out again. In the end… well… I never did come up with a great ending for that book. I had characters, but let them do most of the decision making. I wrote it by the seat of my pants, never knowing which way the wind was going to blow. My first attempt at a novel took me two years. This pantser has gone plotter, and for one particular reason:

Quick notes on a book