Scheming and Plotting

I used to be a “pantser” as in, I wrote my books flying by the seat of my pants, making it all up as I went along. I knew certain things had to happen–a kiss, a black moment, a confession of love–but I didn’t know when or where or…anything.  This system worked–I got the book done. But it was a bit of nightmare when it came to revisions or keeping my facts straight and remembering who knew what and when and where and why, for lord’s sake.

The next time, I wrote a synopsis at the request of my editor. It was only five pages or so, but it contained all the pivotal scenes and the character arcs. I referred to it quite a bit when writing the novel, though I didn’t actually stick to it entirely. For example, I thought it’d be lovely to have a first kiss in the garden as dusk but then I was just typing along one day and the hero and heroine were sitting on the bed, bickering and…kissy kissy.

I must say that I have truly outdone myself with the level of plotting for my newest venture,  tentatively titled The Sinfully Seductive Rakish Rogue’s Mysterious Midnight Mistress of Pleasure. I am no longer a pantser and officially a Plotter. Think spreadsheet. Think color coordinated entries by characters. Please, wash your hands before you touch this masterpiece. This twenty-page document makes me SO happy.  I’m confident that when I’m halfway through the book and I know exactly what is happening, to whom and when and where, I’m going to be delighted to be avoiding the “Oh f*** now what?” moment.  But we shall see…