I’ve felt that way too, but honestly trying to lean more into planning just stifled my creativity and made that particular book much harder to write. I’ve really been working on accepting my process and the way I write best, even if it leads to messy drafts or lots of work in revision. I think there’s a balance to trying to incorporate more planning, and I try to do enough to keep me on track. But if you want to be more of a planner because you think it would make the writing process easier, I actually think you might be going against your own natural tendencies that lead to great writing, and just making it harder for yourself. Personally, I’ve worked on believing that my process is perfect for me, even if it’s hard at times. Vs agonizing over how to be a better planner.
I am in the middle. I forced myself to start chapter one after a few months of world building. I realized if I keep going at this rate I’ll never start and I’m excited to not have everything all planned out but enough to be able to have direction.
Proud of you for deciding to just start! It’s so easy to get caught up in planning, especially world building. But you may find that the story world changes as you write!
I’m usually a panster, but I’d like to get to a place where I’m more of a planner. I think it would help me a lot.
I’ve felt that way too, but honestly trying to lean more into planning just stifled my creativity and made that particular book much harder to write. I’ve really been working on accepting my process and the way I write best, even if it leads to messy drafts or lots of work in revision. I think there’s a balance to trying to incorporate more planning, and I try to do enough to keep me on track. But if you want to be more of a planner because you think it would make the writing process easier, I actually think you might be going against your own natural tendencies that lead to great writing, and just making it harder for yourself. Personally, I’ve worked on believing that my process is perfect for me, even if it’s hard at times. Vs agonizing over how to be a better planner.
I am in the middle. I forced myself to start chapter one after a few months of world building. I realized if I keep going at this rate I’ll never start and I’m excited to not have everything all planned out but enough to be able to have direction.
Proud of you for deciding to just start! It’s so easy to get caught up in planning, especially world building. But you may find that the story world changes as you write!
And it has, and I love my new direction SO MUCH better. Your post made me feel so seen and now I have words for how I’m approaching this novel.
That makes me so happy! I’m so glad you’ve felt seen 💜