A few weeks ago, I shared a couple of brainstorming techniques that help me when I reach a dead end while writing. A few other things that help me is to take a walk to refresh my mind or even putting aside my project for a day or two. Most often I come back from these breaks with a fresh perspective.
Today I’m going to share another technique that I sometimes use. True plotters and those who outline will probably cringe when they read this. I’m a planster, which means I create a basic plot that allows room for the story to develop itself as I write. I admit the technique I’m about to share isn’t for everyone, but it works for me.
I write out of order.
What? No way! You’re crazy.
Before you think I’ve gone off the deep end, consider this scenario: I’m in the middle of writing when it comes time to write a scene where my main character, whom I’ll refer to as Character A, meets the villain, Character B, for the first time. The MC doesn’t yet know or even suspect that Character B is the antagonist. This part is essential to the plot of the story and serves as a catalyst for future action.
Knowing the importance of this meeting, I need to get it right. I want to drop a few breadcrumbs for my readers without giving away too much information. The scene must leave readers thinking that Character B, although a little strange, is one of the good guys.
I need a little time to think it through. How can I best pull this off? Do I stop writing? Use one of my brainstorming techniques? Take a break?
I could do any of those things, but there’s one problem. Another scene, a future event has come to mind. I can’t let it go. It’s important that I don’t forget it. The need to get the words out of my head and into the computer is strong.
So, I write the scene that occurs later. Out of order. Then, I’ll come back and fix the problem with Character A meeting Character B.
You might ask how I keep things straight. It’s easy with Scrivener. With each new project, I create a folder titled “Future Scenes.” Within this folder, I create separate documents for each scene, just as I would if writing in order (I often have as many as five or six future events.) I give each section a title that helps me to identify them quickly.
When I reach the point of the book where it’s time to incorporate a scene into a chapter, I simply move it into the folder for that chapter.
If you use Word or some other type of word processing program, writing out of order may present more of a challenge. In that case, I would create separate documents for each scene, then copy and paste at the appropriate place in the manuscript.
A few words of advice. Don’t stray too far from your manuscript’s plot and try to write in order as much as possible. Make sure that each future scene you write fits within the story idea. Otherwise, you could end up with a convoluted mess.
Writing out of order may not work for everyone, but it has for me. If you’re stuck on a scene or chapter, why not give it a try sometime?
I am writing out of order too, but in the same word document and then put it at the right place. Sometimes I have to switch a few chapters among them, and to mention a detail before, but it is OK.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If something works for an author, I’m all for it. Glad to know there are others out there like me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Author Inspiration and This Week’s Writing Links – Staci Troilo
Thank you for sharing this, Joan. Your way of using “out of order” scenes elicited a knowing smile. Sometimes there’s a scene I just have to write, even though it is not in sequence. The characters demand it, and I’m always concerned I’ll forget the intricacies if I wait. Nice to know I’m not alone. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
It happens to me a lot, Gwen. Always takes a good deal of editing/revision when the time comes to drop the scene into the novel, but at least I have my intended purpose done. I’m glad to know I’m not alone! 🙂
LikeLike
I’ve never considered writing put of order. I can certainly see the benefit of it. I have scrivener on my computer but never touched it. Good things to be thinking about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Scrivener makes it easy. I try to follow the storyline for the most part but sometimes those scenes demand to be written before their time. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like you, Joan, I’m a pantser not a plotter and I also use Scrivener. This makes it so easy to write out of order or change your mind and move a whole chapter to a new place instead. I do usually write in order but have done what you’ve done from time to time. Good luck with the WIP 🙂
Pressed This on: https://harmonykent.co.uk/out-of-order/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I write in order as much as possible. But sometimes… Can’t imagine doing it without Scrivener. Can’t imagine writing without Scrivener. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
An interesting technique, Joan. I mostly write in order, but if an idea or future scene comes to mind I at least jot down a few notes or sentences of dialogue to preserve it. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes those out of order scenes demand to be written. Good to know we have the technology available today that allows us to write out of order when necessary.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out this post by Joan Hall on the Story Empire blog on writing out of order.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for the reblog, Don!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Where Genres Collide.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the reblog, Traci!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Joan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Archer's Aim and commented:
I wrote the beginning and the end of The White Arrow. I had the inspiration for the book from about chapter six on at that point so I wrote to the end and then filled-out the opening chapters to bridge to the rest of the book. It was way out of order. Read how Joan Hall writes out of order in today’s post on Story Empire. Bonus: it’s got a good Scrivener tip for handling a mix of scenes.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for the reblog, P. H. Good to know I’m not the only author who writes out of order!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You made my heart stop when you said out of order. Since I use Word I always find that an impossible dream. I can see how Scrivner makes it possible. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hope your heart is beating again, John! 🙂 Yes, it would be difficult using Word.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yup. Pumping again.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m pretty much a planster like you, Joan (trying to become a plotter), but I’ve never been able to write out of sequence. Over the years I’ve known many authors who write scenes out of order and then stitch them together. It always amazed me. As pantsy as I can be with my writing, that’s one step I’ve never been able to take, but kudos to you for making it work!
LikeLiked by 2 people
These out of order scenes are usually just enough to get my thoughts down. It often takes a lot of editing when I’m ready to incorporate it into the story. But, at least I have something.
And I too am trying to become a plotter.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I like the idea… in theory. I don’t think I could do it, in practice. I have learned to trust my memory, which is odd because my memory is terrible. My theory is that if the idea were that good it would have stuck with me. I’m one that will add to my storyboard instead of writing ahead. Then I’ll deal with that scene when I reach that point on the storyboard.
LikeLiked by 2 people
If I was a disciplined as you are to make a storyboard, I wouldn’t have to write out of order. Most of the time, ideas come to me in the middle of the night. I figure if it’s good enough or important enough, I’ll remember, although I should keep a pen and notebook on my nightstand.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think most people’s notes are equivalent to my index cards. I stick it to the board, and decide later if it fits into the timeline or gets deleted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like this. I too have a very organic way with plotting and allow my characters to make their minds up where they want things to go. Sometimes I write in characters only to take them out at a later stage. I treat them with respect and inter them in a proper temporary grave in a digital cemetery. Sometimes I dig them up for new projects.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I allow my characters to help dictate the story. Good idea about putting characters in a temporary grave. You never know where and when you might need them.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I still tend their plots.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on Legends of Windemere.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for the reblog, Charles!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome
LikeLiked by 2 people
I wrote most of my series with out of order scenes. I always create a timeline before I start writing, but timelines can be adjusted. I actually created new characters just because an inspiration would hit me, and I had to write the scene out. That scene led to new characters needing to be created for that subplot. If an inspiration hits, I’m writing it down. I’m not losing that character’s voice or situation just because his/her moment isn’t supposed to happen for another 10 chapters. In fact, the very first scene that I wrote from my first book was the last chapter. Lol! I wrote scenes for books 3-5 while I was still writing books 1 and 2. I just refused to believe that I would remember that scene two or three years later if I didn’t write it down, so I wrote as the inspiration hit me. Since I typed my series in Word, I used a physical journal to map out my story. I write future scenes on sheets of paper and then just staple them in when I get to where they fit into the story. It works for me! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sounds like we are a lot alike when it comes to writing. (I wrote the opening line of book three of my current series before I finished the first draft of book one.) I also do timelines (planning to do a future post here about that). I haven’t written an ending scene before the beginning, however. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ha ha. Joan, you were right when you teased me about this post. It does make the plotter in me uneasy. I know a lot of writers use this method, and it really works for them. Crafting a scene you’re passionate about will always make it stronger than one you’re still mulling over, even if it’s out of order. But it can make transitions difficult and require more revisions to make earlier details fit seamlessly into the later scenes. I’m glad it works for you and so many others, but it makes me nervous!
Maybe one of these days I’ll try it and see how it goes. Days the words don’t come easily are awful—might be freeing and fun if I loosened up and was less rigid w/rt writing in order.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The hard part is when words (current scene or future) won’t come! I’m in the middle of my WIP now and it’s the hardest for me. If I churned out as many words as you do in a day, I wouldn’t have to write out of order.
LikeLiked by 2 people
When you retire from your paycheck job and have all day, your word count will increase. (And middles are always hard. That’s why they’re called the messy middle.)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Definitely in the messy middle right now. That’s why I’m checking email rather than writing. (Actually, I am writing – just finished a scene.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! I’m clearing emails, then I have an edit to do. Probably won’t get to write until tomorrow or the next day.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I really must take the plunge and explore Scrivener, as what you suggest makes a lot of sense, and may even help to improve my writing!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love Scrivener. There’s a learning curve but there are also lots of good tutorials out there.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I leaned how to use Dragon Voice recognition, for dictating straight to Word, so Scrivener is next on my to do list!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for the reblog!
LikeLiked by 2 people