procrastination

From pantser to plotter in eight weeks?

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Yep, that’s the challenge. writers-workshop-button

As a dedicated ‘pantser’ (for that read ‘procrastinator’) the idea of outlining a story is as likely as me eating root vegetables, walking past the chocolate aisle in the supermarket or shutting down Facebook because there’s cleaning to do. You know, it just is never going to happen.

Until now …well, maybe.

The workshop uses elements of screenwriting and organization, which should – hopefully – tie in with my next MOOC that starts on Monday – An Introduction to Screenwriting. 

See, now that’s dedication! Or rather a commitment to nail the outline of my next series – Blackleaf

Assignment one is to draw up a list of at least ten stories (books, movies, even television shows) that have inspired me to write this series.

Here’s mine:

  1. Dickensian (TV series) – old-fashioned, murky setting with detective chasing clues

  2. Death in Paradise (TV series) – geeky detective with idyllic setting in Saint Marie

  3. Suits (TV series) – smart, slick lawyers, arrogant, cool vs over-emotional characters

  4. Midsomer Murders (TV series) – gentle pace, great settings, everyday situations

  5. Sherlock (TV series) – genius, puzzle-solving know-it-all

  6. Endeavour (TV series) – fixed location, intelligent copper with eclectic taste

  7. The Bridge (TV series) – puts together two police forces with differing approaches

  8. White Collar (TV series) – slick, clever art thieves vs the police

  9. The Charity Thieves (Book) – the dark side of ‘charitable’ concerns – fraud, trafficking

  10. The Collector (Book) – a quest to find priceless works of art

  11. Fake or Fortune (TV series) – series determining the provenance of inherited artwork.

  12. FBI website: Gardner Museum theft – the greatest unsolved art heist

All I can say is that I clearly watch way too much TV!

So, it’s time to focus. Can this pantser knuckle down and finally outline her stories?

Two months to change my writing habits sounds like a miracle cure, rather like ‘lose ten pounds a week by removing sugar from your diet’. By the way, that second one isn’t going to happen, but maybe the writing ‘cure’ will. .

Check back for updates … unless I’m stuck in front of the gogglebox , for which I apologise and will now call ‘research’ 🙂

 

Two steps forward, one step back!

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Sometimes I can be overambitious, but frequently I become easily distracted.

two-steps-forward-one-step-backIn recent months, it’s been a combination of both – trying to revise a novel (The Nasrid Charm) and participate in a short story collection with precise deadlines has meant that one project has had to be put on the back-burner. So, whilst The Nasrid Charm takes a temporary back seat, the anthology marches on.

Due for publication in June,  I am excited to announce that it is a collection of stories with a summer holiday theme, written by authors from around the world. The stories vary in genre from robots and vampires to ghosts, cats and even penguins. But there is a story for every member of the  family – whatever your taste, there will be something that appeals to you.

Therefore, in spite of my self-imposed procrastination with The Nasrid Charm, this episode of writing short stories is helping me to hone my writing skills and will, naturally, have a positive effect on the revision of my novel.

Progress, however long it takes, is still progress! And this is the right decision for me at this point in time.

Plus, it will be my first proper publication – so that  has to be good – right?