003 - To Plot Or Pants

Summary

In this episode, Cara Clare and James Blatch discuss their writing progress and strategies. They talk about their word count goals and the challenges of writing during the summer holidays. They also discuss the benefits of accountability and writing sprints. The conversation then shifts to the topic of plotting and pantsing. Cara shares her experience with ghostwriting and using detailed outlines, while James talks about his discovery writing process and the influence of his personal experiences on his stories. In this conversation, James and Cara discuss the creative process of writing and the importance of giving oneself time and space to think. They also touch on the topic of editing and the balance between perfectionism and getting the book finished. They mention the use of sound and music while writing and share their preferences for white noise and instrumental tracks. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the tolerance for typos in indie and traditional publishing.

Keywords

Indie Writers Club, word count, writing progress, accountability, writing sprints, plotting, pantsing, ghostwriting, outlines, discovery writing, writing process, creativity, thinking time, editing, perfectionism, sound and music, typos, indie publishing, traditional publishing.

Takeaways

• Setting word count goals and having accountability can help writers stay motivated and focused.
• Writing sprints and body doubling can be effective strategies for overcoming writing challenges.
• There are different approaches to plotting and pantsing, and what works for one writer may not work for another.
• Detailed outlines can provide structure and guidance for writing, while discovery writing allows for more creativity and spontaneity.
• Personal experiences and emotions can influence and shape the stories that writers tell. Give yourself time and space to think and let ideas mature before starting to write.
• The creative process requires rumination and time for the brain to work.
• Sound and music can be helpful for setting the mood while writing, but it's important to find what works best for you.
• Typos and minor errors in published books are common and often matter less to readers than the overall story.
• Finding the balance between perfectionism and getting the book finished is crucial for indie authors.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Word Count Goals

02:00 Writing Sprints and Accountability

06:37 The Benefits of Writing Sprints and Body Doubling

10:38 Exploring Plotting and Pantsing

13:33 Ghostwriting and Detailed Outlines

18:39 Discovery Writing and Personal Influences

21:11 The Importance of Thinking Time

26:45 Finding the Right Sound and Music

30:20 Balancing Perfectionism and Getting the Book Finished

34:24 The Tolerance for Typos

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