Question for the Writing Folk

[kriadydragon]

How long would you say it sometimes takes you to plan out a story? Or how long do you usually like to take to plan a story?

I ask because I have this story idea that I have just been whipping through the planning stages like crazy. So, I think it may three or four part story. I began plotting it sometime last week. I've already got the gist of the entire plot planned out for all three/four books, the world building's done, I have the characters figured out, and pretty much all that's left is to outline book one and gice the characters their names. Plus some research. In other words, this sucker is pretty much ready to go, and I want to write it.

But it's usually my MO when it comes to a new story idea to let it sit in my head for a year, even if it's been pretty fleshed out, to see flesh it out even more, and also to see if I end up coming up with an idea that's even better (which happens often). I've had some bad experiences with story ideas that I jumped onto too soon, so it's made me rather wary about pinning this one on my "next story to write" list.

And yet, out of all the stories I've been planning... this one's the only one that I want to write that's anywhere near ready to go. Everything else I either don't want to write yet or isn't ready.

I do plan on making this story my next story to be written. I'm mostly asking the question in order to help me feel better about jumping on a new idea so soon, because I'm really not used to working that way. But considering how long I usually take to plan a story and how finicky I'm being about what to write next, I think it may be time I change a few of the ways I do things.

Comments

[sholio]

I'd say, if it seems to want to be written, go for it. :) There's no "usually" for me; sometimes I jump into writing immediately, and sometimes I put it off and think about it for awhile. It really just depends on the story. I also think it's definitely worth trying new writing methods; some things won't work as well as what you're already doing, it's true, but sometimes you'll stumble on something that really helps.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I definitely plan on writing it since I would like another multi-book story to publish, and this is the only one that's both ready and doesn't require a crap ton of research.

I'm just not used to having a story on this scale come together so quickly and easily, and that's meant having to convince the hesitant part of myself that it's okay to tackle a story sooner rather than later if I feel that story is ready.

[imbecamiel.livejournal.com]

Huh. I feel like questions like this are harder for me to answer than they should be. I don't understand my own writing process. XD

I guess, usually, I seem to get story "seeds" that have a lot more to do with concept or worldbuilding than workable plot. So I'll start by writing down whatever I've got to start with, and then let it simmer for a while, continually writing down more notes and outlines and possibilities until I feel like it's reached a tipping point and I have something solid enough to start with. That might take weeks, or months, or years.

Though I love working from outlines as detailed as possible, as it's worked out I usually only have detailed plans for part of the book and sketchier ideas of where the rest needs to go when I start out. I'm a stupidly slow writer, though, so I have a lot of time to do more detailed brainstorming and solidifying things as I go along. So far it hasn't gotten me into any really major messes. *g*

So yeah. I'd say my stories may need months to years to simmer, but a lot of that simmering and building up happens during pauses along the way.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

This is actually pretty much how I write. I get an idea, then let it grow by plotting it out a little over time, adding to it as new ideas hit me. Then once I feel it's as grown as it's going to get, and once I'm ready to write it, I outline.

But, now that I think about it, lately a lot of story ideas have been coming to me a lot easier, and I wonder if it's a case of if you do something long enough it comes easier to you. If that is the case then tackling story ideas sooner rather than later is something I need to start embracing more (especially since I'm always complaining about not having any stories ready to write :/)