I fly by the seat of my pants. What about you?

Sassy Brit's Blog Hop asks...

Are you a plotter or a panster? Do you plot your stories ahead of writing? Or do you write and see what happens? (Writing “by the seat of your pants”.) Why do you work that way? What are the benefits ...and drawbacks?

I live dangerously, and fly by the seat of my pants.

Plan? Me? Ha, that's a huge joke! Which is funny, because I am organized in every other part of my life. Yet, when it comes to writing, I just take it as it comes. Sometimes, I get dry spells. Sometimes, I can't write fast enough. One thing is for sure, though, I won't be able to write it if I plot before I start. I tried it once, and got so frustrated because the characters didn't want to do what I wanted them to do. I've never done it again, because there is nothing worst that characters forced into doing stuff that just doesn't suit them. As I write, things change, and the plot changes. Heck, once a character even had a sex change half way through a work in progress. A he became a she, because it made more sense like that.

So a panster I am, and I'm happy with that. My process works for me, so who am I to try and change it?

My process is as follows.

1. The idea or basic feel for a new story is sparked by a song, or movie, or book...or seeing a kid picking his nose -- yeah, ideas come from the strangest of places. For example. 80s rock romance came from re-watching some John Hughes classics! I just had to revisit the feel of my favorite era, why hadn't I already?
2. Who will be in this story, and what will their conflict and goals be? Google image search is great for this!
3. Open a new .doc and write chapter one to get a sense of where the story will go.
4. Write a loose premise.
5. Chapter one is written, and I have a premise. Now it's time to carry a note book around with me everywhere I go, because once I have started a new story, the plot bunnies never leave me alone...unless I try and do something that the characters don't like...until I'm finished. Wait, does that make me a semi-plotter and panster? A planster? hmmm Yes, I'm a planster!
6. I edit the complete book. Maybe four or five rounds, because the first draft is really rough.
7. Next comes layering. Within the rounds of edits, I find holes in the plot, or new twists I can use to enhance and build on the story.
8. Sigh, I've finally finished. Oh wait, I forgot to add such and such information so this scene ties into that scene, or this character should have red hair so the next scene is more believable. yeah, little 'touches' are added throughout until I'm happy I can add no more.
9. Final step, and the most dreaded. The synopsis. It begins with a step by step outline of the story. Then I narrow it down to all the important parts. And then those points turn into paragraphs. From there, I edit it to make sure my voice and style comes through, as well as the story.

So, what about you? Plotter, panster or planster? Why? Have you tried all three ways? Is each project different in the way you approach it? I'd love to know...maybe I'll pick up tips on how to be a little more organized in my 10 steps to a book! (oh, that sounds like a book! LOL)

Now do you understand why my debut book, When A Mullo Loves A Woman has so many twists and turns, and the ending can never be guessed? Maybe I was a mystery writer in a past life? hehe

READ FOR A CURE!

Talking of When A Mullo Loves A Woman and past lives...

If you buy this paranormal romance mystery book, through April 2011, all publisher proceeds go to American Cancer Society's Relay For Life program! How awesome is that? Buy links, and information, can be found in the left hand column of this blog. But basically, it's available in most major eBook stores!

CHECK OUT MY LATEST ROMANCE EBOOK HAUL VLOG!

http://romanceebookshaul.blogspot.com/

Read For A Cure With Paranormal Romance Author, JoAnne Kenrick!

All publisher profits from April 2011 sales of JoAnne Kenrick's paranormal romance, When A Mullo Loves A Woman, will go to the American Cancer Society s Relay For Life program. With a unique take on the vampire genre, When A Mullo Loves Woman revolves around the ancient gypsy legend of the undead.

Decadent Publishing, an ebook to print publisher, donates publisher profits from a different book each month, to Relay For Life. Relay For Life is the flagship fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, and provides funding for cancer research and programs to assist cancer patients and their families. Through the month of April 2011, When A Mullo Loves A Woman, a paranormal romance by debut Charlotte author JoAnne Kenrick, joins their 'Read for a Cure' efforts.

When A Mullo Loves A Woman is available to buy from all major ebook retailers, the print edition is coming soon. Featuring soul sucking mullo (mullo: ancient gypsy legend of the undead), this book is dubbed unique with enough twists and turns to make your toes curl.

Author Information:

JoAnne Kenrick grew up in a small sea-side town in North Wales. Having experienced life in several different countries, she now lives in North Carolina with her husband, two children and a lazy cat. When they aren’t demanding her attention, she can most likely be found watching a vampire movie, reading, or baking up a British feast in her N.C. kitchen. And if she isn't in one of those spots, she is probably hiding in her writer's cave or recording her next vlog.

YouTubes: [Read For A Cure] [Teaser Trailer] [Full Trailer] [Mini Promo] [Author Reading]

Buy Links: [All Romance Ebooks] [Decadent Publishing] [Kindle Nook] [Smashwords] [Sony eBook Store]

What people are saying about this unique paranormal romance:

"Take a chance on this new author and pick up this book. I was thoroughly entertained by this offering and am sure you will be too" -- BittenByBooks

"I got so caught up in it, there were a lot of fun quotes, too. 'I'm up the ghostie creek without an emf meter is my favorite." -- Demon Lover's Books And More

"A winning and surprising Paranormal Romance" -- The Romance Reviews

Blurb:

Adam Flint's Gypsy visions always guide him to those who need his paranormal gifts. He gets more than he bargained for in Pearl Kizzy, a beautiful spitfire from Liverpool. Adam knows that to save Pearl, he must help her accept her own Gypsy heritage. Although Adam and Pearl fight their burning attraction for one another, a night of passion sparks memories of their treacherous former lives. Unable to face the loss of Pearl in this century, Adam scrambles for distance from the love of his life. A rejected Pearl falls into the arms of a Mullo -- a gypsy legend of the undead--who lays claim to her heart, and her life. To survive, Adam and Pearl must accept their tragic part, and find a way to kill the undead.

Excerpt:

“Pearl, come out of the rain. You’ll catch your death.”

A strike of lightening blazed up the sky, a brilliant yellow. Was Mother Nature expressing the fury I felt inside? Was I somehow connected to the storm? It felt that way, and I wanted the sounds of the storm to fill me to the brim, leaving no room for confusion. I looked up at the moon and held out my arms. Take me, storm, take me.

Adam grabbed my hand and dragged me under the deck’s roof.

I can’t let the ocean call you to its depths. I won’t let it happen.

I heard what was in Adam’s head. No, I felt it. A panic had taken hold of him. It was gut-wrenching; his heart pounded hard and fast as though he’d lost someone to the sea, a loved one.

“What the hell?” I maneuvered to face him—his arms were still wrapped tight around me. I wiped the sodden hair away from my face and stared up at him. The sense of familiarity flooded me again, and I yearned to bask in the comfort that comes with such closeness. A desire to place my head on his chest and to wrap my arms around him filled me, but I resisted for fear of being pushed away.

“Have you ever met someone for the first time, but in your heart you feel as if you’ve met them before?”

“Yes,” he said. Adam gazed into my eyes, his expression soft and concerning.

“What do you think it means?”

“Dunno.”

I loved the vibration of his thoughts. They traveled through me as though they belonged to me. It made me feel close to him. Being with him was like being with an old friend. Frosty-ass comments and all, I wanted to take comfort in him and could resist no more. I wrapped my arms around him and buried my head into his chest. It felt like home. He felt like home.

“Maybe we knew each other in a past life?” I asked, closing my eyes and leaning into the safety of him.