Comments on: Linear Writing http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/12/21/linear-writing/ Ten Authors. Five Genres. One Blog. Because the only thing scarier than a loaded gun pointed at your head....is writing about it. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:39:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Monica M. http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/12/21/linear-writing/#comment-20170 Monica M. Fri, 22 Dec 2006 17:51:00 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=339#comment-20170 I'm completely with you, Allison. Another linear writer here. That's why when I get a "simple" revision, it can make a huge impact. I look at it like dominoes. Knock over one and the rest follow. I’m completely with you, Allison. Another linear writer here. That’s why when I get a “simple” revision, it can make a huge impact. I look at it like dominoes. Knock over one and the rest follow.

]]> By: Amie http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/12/21/linear-writing/#comment-20155 Amie Fri, 22 Dec 2006 15:14:25 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=339#comment-20155 I also write linearly :) but I can also leave myself notes as I go, IE. sex scene goes here...does that DQ me? ;) I also write linearly :) but I can also leave myself notes as I go, IE. sex scene goes here…does that DQ me? ;)

]]> By: Joyce Tremel http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/12/21/linear-writing/#comment-20149 Joyce Tremel Fri, 22 Dec 2006 14:27:38 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=339#comment-20149 My writing is linear, too. I can't just pound out a rough draft either. I have to fix things as I go along. If I hit a snag, I can't continue until I work it out. I tried using an outline with the book I'm working on now, but the characters keep surprising me. They refuse to follow the outline, so I gave in to them and just write. I just wish I could write as fast (and as well) as you do, Allison! My writing is linear, too. I can’t just pound out a rough draft either. I have to fix things as I go along. If I hit a snag, I can’t continue until I work it out.

I tried using an outline with the book I’m working on now, but the characters keep surprising me. They refuse to follow the outline, so I gave in to them and just write.

I just wish I could write as fast (and as well) as you do, Allison!

]]> By: Natalie http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/12/21/linear-writing/#comment-20098 Natalie Fri, 22 Dec 2006 06:01:50 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=339#comment-20098 Allison, I am definitely with you. I SEE the story. And likewise, I SEE big things ahead for you. I love your logic and thinking. I envy it, really. I can't SUM things up like you can. I can only tell silly stories about locked cars. I hope there is a market for that... Seriously, girl, you are the bomb. I can't wait to see what 2007 brings for you. And I will be there cheering you on. Allison, I am definitely with you. I SEE the story. And likewise, I SEE big things ahead for you. I love your logic and thinking. I envy it, really. I can’t SUM things up like you can. I can only tell silly stories about locked cars. I hope there is a market for that…

Seriously, girl, you are the bomb. I can’t wait to see what 2007 brings for you. And I will be there cheering you on.

]]> By: Allison http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/12/21/linear-writing/#comment-20055 Allison Thu, 21 Dec 2006 21:50:49 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=339#comment-20055 Amanda, great analogy! I *see* my story as well. And I might *think* I know what is going to happen, but I never do. The characters also up and do something I don't expect, or stop talking to me when I force them to do something they wouldn't do. LOL Mark. When I worked for the Legislature, I often got questions like this. I'll be working on Project A and my boss (bitch) would come to me and ask, "Where are you on Project B?" And I'd say, "I'm on A." And she'd say, "But B is due on Friday." And I'd say, "It'll be done by Friday." Grrr. Drove me batty. Kalen, DON'T STRESS. And don't look at the synopsis again after you write it. I don't (not after the fiasco in writing THE KILL). I only recommend this if you're NOT a plotter. Plotters would have a nervous breakdown if they couldn't look at their outline, even if they don't follow it. I completely know what you mean, Candice! I suspected that about you, Karin :) Amanda, great analogy! I *see* my story as well. And I might *think* I know what is going to happen, but I never do. The characters also up and do something I don’t expect, or stop talking to me when I force them to do something they wouldn’t do.

LOL Mark. When I worked for the Legislature, I often got questions like this. I’ll be working on Project A and my boss (bitch) would come to me and ask, “Where are you on Project B?” And I’d say, “I’m on A.” And she’d say, “But B is due on Friday.” And I’d say, “It’ll be done by Friday.” Grrr. Drove me batty.

Kalen, DON’T STRESS. And don’t look at the synopsis again after you write it. I don’t (not after the fiasco in writing THE KILL). I only recommend this if you’re NOT a plotter. Plotters would have a nervous breakdown if they couldn’t look at their outline, even if they don’t follow it.

I completely know what you mean, Candice!

I suspected that about you, Karin :)

]]> By: Karin http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/12/21/linear-writing/#comment-20047 Karin Thu, 21 Dec 2006 21:23:50 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=339#comment-20047 Linear here. Linear here.

]]> By: Candice Gilmer http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/12/21/linear-writing/#comment-20035 Candice Gilmer Thu, 21 Dec 2006 20:11:01 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=339#comment-20035 I write fairly linearly, but for me, like you said about your character seeing her reflection in the mirror, I sometimes just don't KNOW what's going to happen until I get there. It was there, waiting, in the story, for me to write it, but until I reach the need to tap into it, I don't have a clue. And for anything I write, it's this way. There's stuff there, burning up the back of my brain, but I can't figure it out until I get to the point where it's necessary. I write fairly linearly, but for me, like you said about your character seeing her reflection in the mirror, I sometimes just don’t KNOW what’s going to happen until I get there. It was there, waiting, in the story, for me to write it, but until I reach the need to tap into it, I don’t have a clue.

And for anything I write, it’s this way. There’s stuff there, burning up the back of my brain, but I can’t figure it out until I get to the point where it’s necessary.

]]> By: Kalen Hughes http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/12/21/linear-writing/#comment-20032 Kalen Hughes Thu, 21 Dec 2006 19:41:36 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=339#comment-20032 Thanks, Allison. I decided to just start writing (gotta have those first three chapters anyway) and see if that shakes "the plot" loose. LOL! Thanks, Allison. I decided to just start writing (gotta have those first three chapters anyway) and see if that shakes “the plot” loose. LOL!

]]> By: Mark Terry http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/12/21/linear-writing/#comment-20027 Mark Terry Thu, 21 Dec 2006 19:17:09 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=339#comment-20027 I write just the way you do, Allison. From beginning to end. I do this with short nonfiction (and long, for that matter. I really wrote a lengthy book-length business report, Laboratory Industry Strategic Outlook 2007 and the publisher kept bugging me, asking, "We're interested in the data on M&A's, how's that section going?" And I'd be forced to say, "Hey, I'm working on chapter 3. I'm not worrying about Chapter 6. I gave you my writing schedule, why don't you look at it." But I'm not an outliner. Best, Mark Terry www.markterrybooks.com I write just the way you do, Allison. From beginning to end. I do this with short nonfiction (and long, for that matter. I really wrote a lengthy book-length business report, Laboratory Industry Strategic Outlook 2007 and the publisher kept bugging me, asking, “We’re interested in the data on M&A’s, how’s that section going?” And I’d be forced to say, “Hey, I’m working on chapter 3. I’m not worrying about Chapter 6. I gave you my writing schedule, why don’t you look at it.” But I’m not an outliner.

Best,
Mark Terry
http://www.markterrybooks.com

]]> By: Amanda http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/12/21/linear-writing/#comment-20024 Amanda Thu, 21 Dec 2006 18:35:27 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=339#comment-20024 Allison, glad to know I'm not the only writer going from point a to point b. I would read all these blogs about writers writing all the good stuff then adding filler later. It is like a movie in my mind. I can't come into the theatre in the middle of the picture, and I can't start the story anywhere but the beginning. Allison, glad to know I’m not the only writer going from point a to point b. I would read all these blogs about writers writing all the good stuff then adding filler later. It is like a movie in my mind. I can’t come into the theatre in the middle of the picture, and I can’t start the story anywhere but the beginning.

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