A Guide to Novel Writing for Intuitive Plotters

[@jaredmcdaris7370]

Yup. I imagined myself telling you a problem with my novel, and as soon as I articulated the problem, there the solution was, staring me in the face. It’s remarkable how easy it is to forget: identify and articulate the problem.

[@EllenBrock]

That's awesome!

[@Peachu_n_Goma_Home]

The problem is the problem has no easy solution (not without drastically changing the story). XD

[@sandrecunha5297]

It seems most writing advice is written by writers who are plotters. This video is so helpful for those of us who are not plotters. I also always appreciate your video’s being from an editorial point of view as you give more consideration to varying styles or ways of reaching one’s writing goals. You are GOLD!

[@EllenBrock]

Thank you so much! I'm really glad you like the videos.

[@ThreadBomb]

Funny, my experience is that most writing advice comes from pantsers. Certainly the best known writing guide at this point is by a complete pantser - Stephen King's 'On writing'.

[@maryridgleycooney5221]

@@ThreadBomb you're write, I could never write like that. Word counts send my anxiety thru the roof😄

[@oracleofaltoona]

I have to agree with this comment 100%. This is literally the first writing advice that speaks to me in terms of structuring ….not really structuring but instead of using an outline (i hate outlines) to somehow organize my work . I just wanted to leave this comment because I am completely bowled over by this . It is fantastic and just thank you so much.

[@polymathematics_]

Stephen King is great for advice from a discovery writer, Brandon Sanderson has A TON of content on plotting.

[@Dominator046]

Ellen's videos are not a five minute, how-to-get-rich as an author style video. Ellen's videos are gold-mines of information, experience, and assistance for writers or potential writers to cross the next goal. Ellen's videos are an absolute delight, and super helpful. I was happy to confirm that I fell into this type, which wasn't a certainty. But so much of what Ellen said spoke to me, my mannerisms, and my potential strategies for success. Thank you for all that you do, Ellen!

[@EllenBrock]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you liked the video.

[@rebeccadey]

I had a feeling I was this type, and I turned out to be right. This video was so validating; sometimes I feel too disorganized as a plotter, or even bogged down by it (someone else wrote that writing ideas down can make them feel like law, and that is so true for me as well) but I can't just jump into a story like a pantser; I need some direction. Hearing the first tip be "plot with summaries" made me smile, because I am doing that right now. It helps me get into the story until it's almost a zero draft, where the characters give me dialogue and the whole thing starts to flow. Its like freewriting, almost, but with purpose. That said, I'll be adding your suggestion of creating a plot summary as well, with story structure beats, to know I'm hitting those points and have them where they need to go. I never thought about doing both. You are a gem, Ellen!

[@EllenBrock]

I'm glad you have a system that works for you and that the video was helpful!

[@desireen.7475]

So related!

[@kit888]

00:01 Intro 02:45 Plot in a way that sparks intuition 05:05 Four plotting methods 1. Plot using summaries, separate side plots and emotional transitions 2. Plot using keywords 3. Plot using note cards, either at the start or end of plotting process 4. Plot using visualization 14:35 Explore your idea freely 15:50 Find the amount of plotting that's right for you 16:40 Write down what you intuit 18:40 Turn vague issues into defined problems 20:35 Write in chronological order 22:10 Allow yourself to deviate from the outline 23:30 Edit the outline before editing the novel 24:35 Read the whole novel at once (or in as few sittings as possible), take notes, make multiple passes to concentrate on different issues 29:15 Polish front to back 31:30 Know when you can't intuit the answer, try a structure system

[@liladiller]

thank you for taking the time to do this!! I was trying to find the ideas in writing so I can save them

[@juliaborsos1418]

This is great, I was hoping the video description would include this so grateful for your comment. Thank you!

[@k3ys]

“Write down what you intuit” really hit hard, personally. Thanks so much for bringing it to light.

[@c.c.l.9139]

This works so well for me. I just freeflow a summary of what I want to write. It looks like psychotic ramblings and includes a bunch of shorthand no one else would be able to decipher, but once I rewrite the outline from that, it works out wonderfully. It helps me capture that burst of intuition and get it down on the page.

[@thethmooteresa]

Absolutely the best line ever ♡♡♡ fellow intuitive writer

[@veronikachristen2373]

Funny enough "Metholodical Pantser" and "Intuitive Plotter" where the two types I related to the most. ;) So as expected I found this almost as helpful as the last one. Great work! And thanks for sharing these types with us, I find it incredibly helpful to realize not all writing advice MUST work for me.

[@db-jugg3r]

I totally agree here. Both videos have been very helpful and added up to the things i know about storytelling and worldbuilding from roleplaying-sessions as the game master.

[@artsymoonsylav5971]

I was worried because I felt like I have to pick only one, when I relate greatly with both of the categories you mentioned. So it’s comforting and reassuring for me to know that I can have both tips 😅 (makes me wonder why I was so afraid)

[@oscarcapac1786]

Thanks for this video ! As an intuitive plotter, something I find very useful is to associate important scenes and characters with songs, it's the same as visualisation but with music. I usually do it thematically, for instance villains have a theme song from the same band etc...

[@EllenBrock]

That's a cool idea!

[@ThreadBomb]

I think, when you are writing with music, you have to take care that you are not assuming that the feeling of the music, which the reader can't hear, is automatically contained in the text. Ultimately the effect on the reader comes solely from the words on the page.

[@yerabbit]

As someone who falls somewhere in the middle, this was incredibly handy. I feel like I'm going to get something out of this whole series.

[@andream5462]

Same!

[@Ruylopez778]

I've heard of reading prose or dialogue aloud, but recording yourself reading the summary and listening to it for visualisation or analysing tone or pacing is just pure GENIUS. Formal ways like spreadsheets feel really draining, while visualising and daydreaming tend to bring revelations and solve problems. When reading a draft for note taking without changing words, I find that printing out the draft on paper is a real psychological boost.

[@angeledoray8967]

I have found putting in passages in a text to speech has been really useful as well to get some distance and see the story from an outside perspective!

[@cadencev5572]

Using keywords makes SO MUCH SENSE. I can't believe I never thought of it before. Scenes really do have vibes to them.

[@elliealicepearson2265]

I've watched HUNDREDS of videos on writing, through the years, and this is the first time I feel like the advice given are actually perfect for my witting style. It's absolutely refreshing, and a genuine relief, to realize 'intuitive plotter' is a real thing. I've gotten myself so so stuck through the years trying to use the various plotting methods out there, most of them telling me to write down in depth outlines, down to every single scene, to the point where I convinced myself there was something wrong with me because following those advice always stifled my creativity instead of helping me. I realize now that I have a lot of unlearning to do, so that I can let my intuitive plotter self do her thing. Thank you so much for this video, and for all the others. I was so happy to find new content from you after all this time, you're by far my favorite source of help when it comes to writing. I'll definitely be checking out your Patreon in the morning. Thank you ❤️

[@rhetteverette2406]

Definitely agree with the daydreaming about your characters when you are not writing and imo the best day comes when doing mundane chores(ie the dishes, the lawn ect) something simple enough that you can autopilot and let your mind go

[@rhetteverette2406]

*the best daydreaming

[@mmrilley]

My biggest takeaway (other than your incredible insight and advice) is that there's nothing wrong with me! You revealing obstacles that I encounter gives me permission to go easier on myself. Thank you!

[@NatchaiStappers]

Great video. One thing that's important for me, that you might also agree with, is not to write down all that you intuit *too* fast. I'm definitely identifying with the intuitive plotter type, but what I've found for myself is that the absolute first idea, while often good, can be improved by "letting it simmer" - much like the advice you get when wanting a tattoo, to not go blindly with your first idea and to let it percolate some more. Writing it down, to me, can often feel limiting because then it doesn't percolate naturally anymore. You've written it down, this is law now. Or it might just be me, that's also a distinct possibility!

[@EllenBrock]

Yes, I agree! That's why I recommended exploring the idea freely through daydreaming or freewriting (for those who struggle with daydreaming) before getting into actual plotting. Letting the idea percolate is very important. Letting solutions to problems percolate as well can be helpful, though I have met quite a few writers who can only solve problems and access intuition while looking at the outline/summary/etc, so I think it is somewhat personal.

[@nalcarya]

I feel like that if I physically write stuff down, but I've been using Good Notes on my iPad for plotting. Just the ability to shift, cut+paste and rearrange stuff freely really helps. Reading over my earliest ideas often, along with some cringing, sparks a new idea or how "core feature" I had in mind would fit perfectly into what I've developed so far. It's all so fluid, it's beautiful ^^

[@ThreadBomb]

It might be just you? :) I make notes simply because I don't want to forget an idea that might turn out to be useful. But I try to avoid writing out a straight plot. I just list ideas for characters, images, scenes, themes, and after a while you notice that the strong ones stand out, and maybe seem connected.

[@jaleesah]

I write it down but I always say “maybe x happens” and if it feels not quite right I can tweet or change it without feeling like I’m changing something finalized.

[@tristanneal9552]

I think I am an intuitive plotter. I describe my writing process this way: the story already exists out there in the universe, and the universe randomly decides to share snippets of it with me in eureka moments of inspiration (hokey, I know, but it's how it feels lol). I channel those snippets into a plot document that I play around with, and eventually everything slots into place. When I encounter issues with the plot or pacing, if I wait a month or two another eureka moment happens and the solution is basically delivered to me by my brain/the universe. And once that picture feels whole and complete and has really taken shape, I begin writing. In that way, some times I feel less like an author creating a story and more like a conduit for a story that wants to be told Edit: I even do the notecard/sticky note thing!!! And I've used PowerPoints too. Damn I'm sold, this is my writing type I'm convinced.

[@NatalieHartford]

This series and video in particular has helped explain so much and helped me understand myself so much better. I finally get why I’ve struggled so much it’s paralyzed my writing. I’ve thought of myself as a methological plotter and tried desperately to fit that square peg into a round hole for years when I’m, in fact, more of intuitive plotter. The techniques you’ve suggested resonated so much, it’s reignited my excitement to get back at it. Thank you!!!! #lifechanging

[@EllenBrock]

That is so great to hear! I'm so happy this helped you!

[@shmo7708]

I have intensely experienced what you mentioned regarding plotting too much. I burnt out a lot of my passion for a story idea I've been carrying around for months by overplotting it over the course of a few days. I also frequently get frustrated beginning to write a story only to intuit that I should be writing something different than what I had plotted. I'm glad this it isn't just me and I should just go with my gut lol. Will definitely be trying a bunch of these strategies.

[@beescheeseandwineplease889]

As an intuitive plotter, this might be the most helpful video out of the thousands I have watched over the last few years. You are so on to me that it is like you are spying on me when I am writing.😂

[@hannahnames2239]

These videos have been so helpful! I was never sure exactly where I fell in the plotter panster spectrum, but assumed I was more of a panster. Now I realize I relate much more to the intuitive plotter type! I love the tips and will definitely try them out in my writing process.

[@EllenBrock]

Glad it helped!

[@faithsieting652]

Fantastic advice! Such a refreshing approach, too! Not your average, recycled writing tips. Thank you, Ellen! You give wonderful ideas for writers to try and great analogies to help us understand your points easily.

[@laurenloertscher1319]

Probably keeps pinterest boards, 3 by 5 cards, notebooks...I feel called out. I also keep a sketch book where I draw and visualize my ideas and characters. I often have to draw it before I can write about it. What you said about plotting via summery also really resonated. It's the only type of plotting that really works for me, aside from drawing a literal pyramid with little stars and things all over it. I think I'm a 50/50 combo of intuitive plotter and methodological pantser. Dang.

[@ThreadBomb]

Okay, now I am intrigued by this 'literal pyramid' approach!

[@kunoichimistress]

It's ridiculous how closely I relate to this. This is almost the exact way I plot and I never have been able to describe it. The vagueness is so clear to me because this is how it feels for me.

[@davidnoel9355]

Thank you SOOOO MUCH! I wasn't sure if I was an Intuitive Pantser or an Intuitive Plotter until I watched this video. I really struggled to plot and really became blocked while working on my latest book but your insight that Intuitives need to plot in an aesthetically pleasing way was a major breakthrough for me. I now create my scene outlines using a title, a short description, a picture, a couple of keywords for tone, and a sentence describing the scene's purpose in the novel and then color-coded it all by character viewpoint. It is FABULOUS! It has really unlocked my creativity and solved my plotting issues at the same time.

[@LimegreenSnowstorm]

You know how I plot in a way that sparks intuition? I turn on a playlist of your videos and wrote down what comes to me on a fresh canvas!

[@alyclark45]

I feel this type fits me fairly well. I do the "keyword" method, but using certain songs or playlists. Most major scenes in my novels have an attached song that just brings up the emotional tone and general thrust of the scene, or just the arc of certain characters. I just turn on my playlist when I'm working on that novel and that tends to get me pretty far in terms of sparking intuition.

[@annerudolf4982]

Great video. Instead of recording yourself reading to visualize your plot there are some tools (e.g. the browser) where you can put your summaries etc. or even drafts to speech and think about it. Works for me. 🙂

[@EllenBrock]

That's a great idea!

[@nalcarya]

The first in-depth video made me doubt it because some things felt applicable but now I'm definitely sure I'm (rather deeply) in the Intuitive Plotter square of the spectrum. I felt so understood by every example you talked about 🐋

[@EllenBrock]

Wonderful!

[@stephvandykeozzy]

I really like this video because I do the same thing, the intuitive plotter as you call it. All the advice you've mentioned brought up great points. Plus, what I noticed is that whenever I struggle with the book is to do some extra freewriting. What I do is that I write a certain scene for the book and hold it until I get to that spot on the book and place it on; I always write my books in chronological order. It's the rising action I struggle with that I'm glad you gave these tips.

[@LimegreenSnowstorm]

YES YES YES KEY WORD PLOTTING I’ve been using that one this whole time!!!

[@PsychoSubSandwich]

Completely realized outlines _feel_ good to have on the surface, but they actually make my process more difficult, not easier. Most of my ideas manifest _during_ writing and simply cannot exist outside of that flow state. It's the difference between directing a team from the stands and being on the ground with them calling the shots -- it's a completely different experience from each perspective.

[@drexler4340]

This has been so helpful in so many ways. It has called out my wish to be a discovery writer but truly I need more structure than that, and you were able to articulate why (e.g., can't sustain all the parts for longer prose; getting lost). I realized that what I'm actually "discovering" is my intuition about people and narratives. I also realized this is how I write for academic writing such as my dissertation or scholarly manuscripts. Thank you so much!

[@SS-qp2ex]

Ellen - Girl - You need to write a book with this info!! Amazing !!!

[@hellodestiny4584]

The minute you mentioned using a PowerPoint presentation as a form of plotting, I got sooo excited. This itched a part of my brain that I didn't realize I needed. I am so excited to start this. I think it's exactly what I needed to break everything up and also see how everything fits together and to visualize all the components of a scene or a character (sights/sounds/energy/etc). Thank you for taking the time to do this. I gained so much from this video and I really appreciate it!!!

[@rachelthompson9324]

I plotted one novel intensely ( took a year), a few others I plotted with much less details and others I developed with a one page outline and they all came out working right. The more I plotted the less I got stuck at first. What made every effort a story was understanding how story structure works. At the end of the day it has to work as a story or it's not readable. Structure doesn't stop intuition it enhances it and directs it. Feed the left brain craft and then let the right brain's creativity lose.

[@ComedorDelrico]

It sounds like you are a methodological writer. I am, too! And I also find that learning about story structure gets my creative juices flowing.

[@rachelthompson9324]

@@ComedorDelrico Pretty much I think. To be fair I have tried other ways, detailed plotting to back-of-napkin outlines to no plans at all. Lots of pants-like stuff pops up on every project. When the muse strikes I go with it.

[@vitotamito]

9:30 I just recently started putting in a single quote from a character into every aspect of what I outline, from comments about set pieces to a specific bit of dialogue I want to get to in a scene, and the section right before this time code just explained why I started doing that! Neat!

[@virgilknightley2668]

This series is so incredibly fascinating! I think I'm somewhere between Intuitive Plotter and Intuitive Pantser.

[@dellieborton]

This was perfect for me!! I have been really finding my groove when I have a small summary reminder.

[@EllenBrock]

So glad!

[@rubyrocks5]

Instrumental music really helps me get inspired and gain clarity/creativity. Something about music (especially movie soundtracks) helps me “see” the emotions or plots or characters that I want to write. If you’re stuck or lacking inspiration, you might want to listen to inspiring music that has the same “vibe” as your novel

[@emilyjoyhoward8282]

This is so helpful! I have felt “sparking intuition” by making notecards or drawing the arc of the plot but I never really had a term to make my process feel legitimized! Thank you so much for your wisdom - there was so much here to help me deal with roadblocks and spark more intuition! I would say the best other thing for me is to talk to someone when I’m stuck, but only with someone who asks good questions and doesn’t convince me out of my own intuition!

[@DefektiveEnvy]

I’ve found myself shifting and blending techniques from both intuitive plotting and methodological pantsing. Thank you so much for helping me realize I’m on the right track!

[@mariebednarova8888]

This is so helpful. I feel very encouraged to embrace my process. Thank you for doing this ❤️

[@EllenBrock]

You are so welcome! I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@WriteUnread]

This is so validating. So many of these points are things I'd intuitively (ha!) been drawn to doing, like making playlists or scanning through my keyword-summaries of previous scenes before I jump into writing, but I always conceptualized it as just wasting time/spinning my wheels/procrastinating, habits I should be trying to grow out of, not as actual necessary parts of my writing process.

[@harveythepooka]

I'm much more of an intuitive pantser, or at the very least a plantser, but what really helps me is character work. I've found out that almost all of my edits boil down to dealing with character issues, so if I have a solid grasp of the characters beforehand I do much less rewriting/editing. Characters still surprise me, but it's best to know as much as you can beforehand, imo. When I plot I do the story circle and I fill it out in summary as I go along. I can generally plot about 1 square ahead of where I am. Other than that I just have the vaguest idea of what's going to happen. Like the good guys win in the end, etc.

[@Pystoria]

This is my type and so much of this advice was perfect for me! I also realize I've already done a lot of this myself lol

[@EllenBrock]

Perfect!

[@EllenBrock]

Happy 2022! I hope it's off to a great start! If you've watched the previous videos, new information starts at 02:47 I also forgot to mention in the video that intuitive plotters might find the technique described in my "How to Plot Your Novel Fast" video useful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rF6saoFrgdiphq8 Thanks for watching! I'm excited for all the new videos I have planned this year!

[@LeafarMind]

Yes, "how to plot faster" helped me

[@EllenBrock]

@I z Thanks! You too!

[@maryridgleycooney5221]

Definitely an intuitive plotter. I use all these tools. Another thing I do is sketch out scenes that I'm about to write, something clicks when I do this although I am NOT an artist, stick figures work for me, lol. I like the idea of using Power Point for the plot of the novel. Gonna try that. For character arc I have to verbally talk it out with my characters(which means I talk to myself😄) Thank so much for this channel, Ellen🙂

[@ThreadBomb]

Thanks for the video, Ellen. I will watch it again later, to try to reinforce some points about avoiding pitfalls. One thing I've found useful, when developing a story from a handful of images and themes, is making little character charts fairly early in the process. Apart from keeping track of basic details like hair color, it is useful because you can bounce back and forth between characters and plot, using one to inspire further developments in the other. My own character charts have name, appearance, personality, plot function, and things like their greatest desire, greatest fear, worst memory and thing most valued. It can also be very useful if this chart includes a list of all the chapters the character appears in (easier if you plan the novel in numbered chapters). This helps with working on their arcs during the revision process.

[@CNBlaze-qj7fg]

I have heard every plotting type out there, I am sure. I love them. But this one has pegged me almost painfully. I love it!

[@wshflthnkngArt]

I’m new to the serious writing game( I call it a game ‘cause, wow it’s fun, huh?!) and I’ve been watching your videos for a couple weeks. I’ve already learned so much, but the most important thing has been the confidence to keep writing. While binging through your videos I’ve discovered a high number of advice and tips that have really clicked for me. I didn’t realize other people worked this way. As a musician and creative person I understand (through talking to other musicians) that all people have a different method to channel their creativity, but I really needed the confirmation that I’m not just a crazy manthing. Lol. In this newer endeavor and passion of mine, I really needed that confidence. Thank you. I realized am an intuitive plotter, 100%. I don’t usually write a lot of things down unless I have it figured out in my head first. I think-plot all the time, I don’t mean to it just happens. Sometimes it is when I am watching your videos that makes that something click. Please keep making these videos. I appreciate them. I seriously feel like I can do this now and put all my time into it, and keep having fun with it.

[@marianaquirino9418]

I'm fascinated. I always daydreamed a lot about my stories. I can do this for hours, I always felt guilty for spending so much time in my head and not on paper. You saying this can be positive changes everything for me. thanks

[@somebody-dv8fr]

I was so stressed out about my novel cause I was trying to use a less intuitive plotting techniques, I struggle when I don't have an overall view of my novel so I thought plotting was the way to go but seeing you group writing techniques like that is a blessing, I've always found it easier to spark my intuition whenever scenes and emotional arcs are summarised using moodboards and I have a certain song or playlist to go with that this video made me feel so much better ty for it

[@r33mickey]

Your insight on this topic is so impressive! This is me to a t. I had such a difficult time figuring out how I wrote best - the plotter/pantser binary just does not work with this type, yet all planning advice is structured in this context. It's great to now be able to frame others' advice through the lens of considering what writing type they might be. So smart! I already use most of the methods you outlined, but it's amazing to know there are other people who do the same things as me, and that it's not as hodgepodged as it feels!

[@LoveSaidNo]

I‘m a hard pantser and focused on that. So I thought I‘m something between methodological and intuitive pantser. (Everything, as long as it has pantser written in its name, haha) I watched your last video about the Methodological Pantser and thought ‚well this might help me a lot‘, though some tricks didn‘t really work and just didn‘t feel natural. Now, after this video, I think I focus more on being intuitive. So maybe I am able to plot, as long as it doesn‘t cut off my intuition. What you said about the vibe of a scene just hit it. You‘re videos are a great help, because you don‘t tell us the ultimate method, the golden key to everything, but you rather give us the means to discover more about ourselves and thereby grow. I‘m very happy to give you something back for that, now that you’re on Patreon. I‘m looking forward to new videos - who knows what I can discover then ;)

[@EllenBrock]

I'm so glad I could help. Thank you for your support!

[@martianram]

OMG I DISNT KNOW AB THAT THATS LITERALLY ME THANK U FOR THIS

[@emj68]

YAY! This is the video I've been waiting for! I have already watched it twice. Your observations about working chronologically, keeping inspiration at the forefront, and documenting hazy thoughts about problems / potential solutions were spot on, for me. I love your suggestions and am especially excited to try plot summaries and visualization. I think I've been leaning a little too hard on structure lately, and as a result, my story has sort of drifted out of my wheelhouse.

[@JoelAdamson]

I feel like every one of Ellen's videos is the one I've been waiting for 😁

[@EllenBrock]

I'm so glad the video was helpful!

[@PaulaScardamalia]

This is brilliant work, Ellen. Listening to this, I am thinking I fall somewhere between methodological pantser and intuitive plotter. One of my novels was inspired by a dream, something that just resonated, and that raised story questions I just had to explore. I teach writers how to use dreams and tarot for writing and that, I think, must be aspects of intuitive plotting.

[@ThreadBomb]

My big WIP was inspired by a dream, and I have another idea that I am trying to develop using the tarot! I am not a believer in magic, but the mind can come up with amazing things if you just let it make the connections.

[@PaulaScardamalia]

@@ThreadBomb but creativity in all its forms is magic, isn't it? 😉

[@wordcharm2649]

While I prefer to write chronologically, I can intuit character emotion easily so that explains why I can also write/plot out of order pretty easily, and often alternate between periods where I'm writing chronologically and periods where I'm writing out of order. As a very chaotic methodological-panster, I constantly move between both. :D

[@SNN95]

Finally! Someone really dig deeper on why some of typical techniques (like using Story Structures, and just plotting on bullet point) never work for this kind of writer. Thanks for pointing out this problem with epic solution. I am never be this open minded to write story since I'm always stuck to continue the story when just referring the bullet points I did.

[@canonwright8397]

Hay! You're back! Good to see you again in 2022. Keep up the good work, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of these videos.

[@cp0151]

Hi Ellen, I've been watching you on and off for a couple years now I think and I've recently jumped back into writing. You should know that you are one of the most useful writing resources on KZbin. Keep up the great work because you truly are a unique and helpful person.

[@Mwilke3789]

This is single-handedly the most useful video I've ever watched on helping me write. Just to moving forward feels impossible. But everything in this video makes perfect sense!

[@a-z-fell]

the PowerPoint suggestion made plotting my story so much better, thank you!!

[@EXOdagr8t]

Oh my gosh thank you for making this!

[@DocFlamingo]

Nice to see you posting new vids.

[@freedomthroughspirit]

This would be fabulous in a book! The four types of writers... if it doesn't exist already, I'd buy it from you. GREAT explanations, thank you.

[@billyalarie929]

Your videos are really getting a lot better, in a way that I didn’t anticipate they even needed to be.

[@ghada.El.Khoury]

Your videos have been very helpful to me to finish my first novel and plotting the second one while having intuitive ideas for the third. Thank you so much

[@soumwise]

Thank you so much for this video, it’s helped me immensely! I knew I was a plotter, but I kept hitting a brick wall in terms of the Excel sheets, plot points and beat sheets I was supposed to make. I personally found them, just as you say ‘ugly and uninspiring’. I had no idea plotting could be done differently. Frustration set in as I knew I had a story to tell, but it just wouldn’t surface beyond a certain point. Little did I know story structures can be intuitive! Your advice to use multiple apps/writing tools at once was so helpful as well. I now have a set of apps I use, depending on my mood and the kind of ideas I have - based on music, pictures, words and more - and it works super well. Thanks so much, all your videos are amazing!

[@EllenBrock]

I'm so glad you found a method that is working for you! Thank you so much for your support and for letting me know about your success. It means so much!

[@angeledoray8967]

I never imagined someone would describe my writing thought process so perfectly! I was actually already using some of these peices of advice before watching, but now it turns out I have some cool new things to try out! (I like the Google slides one)

[@avy_kay]

Great video! This is the first time I have seen anyone else talk about the "Keyword" method, and it make me so excited! I found that it's the perfect way for me when I get to editting: A few words scene to capture the "essence" of the scene. That way I get an overview of the big picture (which I otherwise struggle with), and with some colour-coding I can "see" the entirety of the story, where and how the main plot, b-plot, emotional beats, and everything else goes. And once I get that, it's easy to go in and adjust and reorder stuff so that the bigger story flows better.

[@EllenBrock]

That's awesome that it works for you. I think it's a great system! I probably should have mentioned color coding in the video because I know it can be a great tool as well.

[@marcus_starr]

Intuitive-pantser here. Editing debut novel. Love your videos.

[@debheckmun4645]

This video hit hard & shifted my world. Just last night I finally figured out the magic of putting aside the scene cards to write the story summary with scenes that I know so far instead. Worked wonders! Thank you for this series of videos! Saved this vide and I’m going to go watch it a couple more times over to soak it in.

[@davidfernandeztejedor5132]

This is AMAZING! I consider myself an intuitive plotter and it is downright scary how useful this video is for me. Thank you ☺️

[@Feraligamr]

This was really helpful! I identified a lot with a lot of the things you said. In fact, before I started writing, I would daydream in order to quiet my thoughts at night and fall asleep. A lot of writing advice has felt like it drags down my process more than it helps, but these tips feel more in sync with my process. My husband is my helper when I get stuck in the "this doesn't feel right" situation. He thinks a bit differently than I do and is able to narrow in on what part of it isn't working. And he's not a writer, so I think bringing in a fresh set of eyes regardless of the person's expertise can be super helpful. I find certain activities can help spark my intuition. For me the easiest one to pull out is stretching.

[@annelyle5474]

Having watched the previous video, I find I usually start a new project (especially a new series) as a Methodological Pantser, because I definitely need to discovery-write my way into the characters' heads - and starting with a conventional beat sheet helps me to get something resembling a coherent story. However once I get to know my characters and their motivations, I veer more towards Intuitive Plotter and can develop a richer outline before I sit down to write. Thanks for the insight, Ellen!

[@LiLiKay1221]

This is the most useful and resonant and articulate video on plotting tips I've ever seen, definitely going to be coming to this and also checking out the others. I actually wowed out loud lol, thank you!!

[@MorganagrayYT]

Most of my stories begin with some scenes that come to my mind while walking and listening to music. I try to write down all scenes coming that way. Then I do some actual thinking, as if it is an actual story, what background it has, what characters are involved, etc. Then, after 5-6 scenes when I get everything out, I do the walking and music listening again. Most of the times new scenes come to my mind this way. After those back bone of emotional important scenes I have enough story to fill the gaps in a sort of keyword outline. I write for a while but put in actual words it looses all the spark and excitement and then. .. I loose interest and move on to the next story 😭😭😭. It seems, I like imagining stuff more, than actually the writing part itself. Who has the same issue? What helps with the actual writing?

[@rgsmess]

I have that same sort of problem. I come up with a bunch of great characters, scenes and what not. And I absolutely love creating backstories. When it comes time to put everything together I get so frustrated I give up. I tell myself I write for my own enjoyment and nothing else. It still hurts. I believe many of these tips will help me move past my frustration. On another note, I wonder if turning my idea into a short story would help.

[@Peachu_n_Goma_Home]

@@rgsmess I wrote 10k words, and then I realized problems with character motivations. I pushed on to 13k words. But too many stretches of disbelief happening, the story loses credibility. It happened to my last Sci-fi fantasy story, which started with much excitement because it was the first time I tried multiple POVs (third person).

[@MorganagrayYT]

@@rgsmess I feel with you, Robert. I also think, those tips on different writer types help. Previous I always thought, something is wrong with me, read a bunch of books on story structure, cos I thought, I lacked it. But it never helped with the actual part of writing, and sometimes made it worse, cos it made my stories less lifelike for me. Now, to find that I just need to concentrate on the intuitive side of writing the entire process, to keep this spark of intuition on fire, has already done a lot good! Wish you luck with your writing, Robert. Writing shortstories sound great!

[@ThreadBomb]

@@MorganagrayYT I think maybe the problem is you are trying to connect your points of inspiration with mechanical plotting: scenes that are there out of obligation to plot logic, but which you don't care about.

[@BriantWebster]

I can relate to liking imagining more than writing! You just have to know if you want to be a writer, the way you know what your favorite color is (KZbin: Don't Try - Charles Bukowski by Pursuit of Wonder) (Also: So you want to be a writer - Bukowski). Writing is very hard but I keep coming back to it. Like Robert in comments said, maybe consider turning ideas into short stories at first. Also consider writing in 5 or 10 or 15 minute sprints. If you want to be a writer you have to LOVE something about the process. Daily. And if you want to take it seriously, give yourself a quota of doing 1, 2, or 3 pages a day.

[@rad4924]

I've been looking forward to this, as someone who falls somewhere in the middle on all spectrums and therefore considers all advice good advice.

[@highrise3924]

Amazing video! Keywords + Visualization sounds extremely powerful, I'll have to try that! Thanks, Ellen! ❤️

[@martianram]

u literally js saved me frm never ending struggle👍🏽 thank u

[@EllenBrock]

Glad I could help!

[@jeromyperez5532]

Starting Monday I'm going to subscribe to your Patreon. Glad you're back to making content again.

[@EllenBrock]

Thank you!

[@sierraanderson7784]

I never realized I was using the keyword method! I always create a playlist for my novels with each song representing the feel of a scene.

Great! I loved your clear exposition. I knew I am an intuitive writer and your explanation confirmed me. I can say that I use all these combined methods, although sometimes I need to be a little less plotter to become more planner, especially when I confront a scene's inner structure as part of a sequel, and a sequel as part of a chapter. My experience writing and analyzing soap opera scripts and similars gave me some bad habits like seeing scenes only as fragments of a sequence. So now, when I am writing my own novel, I have to fight such misconceptions, and write scenes as whole dramatic structures first but susceptible to be fragmented in further editions to play with the chronological flow, action, suspense, etcetera. Because of that, I used to think of scenes following this scheme to go through the chapter step by step and link scenes and chapters giving a dynamic flow and rhythm. I think and hope it can be useful for all your followers. As you can see it can be applied from the small scene structure to the whole plot. But it's important to let clear that the goals shall be always related to and only to the character protagonizing the scene or chapter or entire plot, otherwise it's very easy to fall into confusion defining a vague conceptual goal that involves the entire action/reaction. You can see also that this scheme helps to visualize the antecedents, the actual facts, and the consequences or the expected next step in the sequence (written as keywords in capitals). You can see that the known two scene types (action and reaction) are organized with logical progression and the pieces about happenings in capitals can be written as parts of a puzzle following the classic three acts structure. Also, from this scheme can be extracted and summarized the scene or chapter descriptions, or the whole plot depending on which level is the writer working on. * * * POINT OF VIEW: SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED (basic action) Goal (incident/encounter): Conflict: Disaster (event): SOMETHING HAPPENS (support action) Peripatetic goal (Reaction/Effect): Dilemma: Climax: SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN (outcome or scenic knot) Consequent goal (logical or natural decision - probable): Final line or image of the scene:

[@فنونياسمينومروان]

I.ve been studying all your lessons and it.s really amazing give me a new puch after 10 years of stop . Many thanks from Cairo.Egypt

[@JoelAdamson]

I use all these methods. Flow charts, then bulleted lists, then a summary, then I edit all of them through and through until the plot makes sense. I usually have to completely redo all of these in revision, but it saves me doing lots of rewrites.

[@Oddy37]

this video is so incredibly helpful, and it makes me feel seen in the best possible way. Ellen, you just *get* it. The amount of knowledge and understanding u have is outstanding

[@stolenzephyr]

I've watched this video twice! Once to listen and the second time to take notes. While I'm somewhere between a plotter and a panser, this is really helpful! Some of your tips are really great and helped me see why plotting didn't work for me before and how to make it work in the future. Thanks!

[@stephaniestanley9519]

I love this series of videos, and I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for the last two videos to come out. Thanks, Ellen. This is top tier writing advice all aspiring authors need to hear!

[@rienneblackbird]

At first, I thought I might be a methodological pantser as the tips in that video made sense in why I've been struggling (I'm sure all the tips for the different types make some sense to everyone); however, I am certainly closer to this type. Every bit of this is just... me. I've never been a pantser, but because I often stifle myself with over-plotting, I believed I needed to stop plotting, which drove me crazy. I spend a ton of time imagining a story based on the heart and soul of it (intuition) but enjoy the structure I personally need to make it happen (plot). This type seems the right balance for me. Thank you, Ellen, truly.

[@megan3643]

This series is very useful. I expect to watch each video several times. Thanks so much.

[@EllenBrock]

I'm really glad you find them helpful!

[@juli7362]

Thank you so much 😭♥️

[@EllenBrock]

You're so welcome! I hope you find it helpful. Let me know if you have any questions after watching the video and I'd be happy to do a follow-up video.

[@haileycarin7174]

How are you so brilliant?! It’s like you’ve been inside my mind; I’ve never felt so seen as a writer before! Thank you for this video ❤

[@MrZkoki]

In case I truly fall into this category, what personally helps is pinpointing all the most important scenes that are dramatically loaded and advance the plot in a severe way. If you focus heavily on the so called bread and butter, then you can fill up the spaces in between without the need for a strict vision, improvise more freely, add comic relief to ease the tension before you take it up a notch, e.t.c Doing everything in chronological order feels to me a bit restrictive. I approach writing like cooking. I know beforehand the recipe but I taste a little and decide if salt, pepper or sugar is missing from the tomato sauce. Thank you, very helpful video indeed!

[@maryridgleycooney5221]

Just another helpful thing I learned from another author is carrying a voice recorder or get an app on your phone. I use this for when I get a spark of creativity or working out ideas to recording dialogue. The author I learned this from writers her books this way and I think a fantasy author does this too. Long drives and traveling, taking nature walks etc, this comes in handy.

[@StormOracle]

It's so funny. I wrote opposed to put on the four types but then decided to check out intuitive Plottr first. What I wrote describes what you said in this video--like I intuited what you were going to say. LOL Love it. It feels so good to get confirmation that the way I plot is a thing. I checked out the others too, but this one best fits me. Thank you, Ellen. Your videos are so helpful.

[@Pengalen]

So far this is the one that has most resonated with me. Still need to watch the Intuitive Pantser video, but I don't expect that to be a better match.

[@MrsamH08]

This was very helpful. Thank you! I was already practicing a few items naturally, but these suggestions have expanded my tool-box-particularly the One Note and Pinterest ideas. Thanks, again!

[@drayricketts4096]

Your videos are so helpful and well informed that it is difficult to watch their entirety before inspiration draws me back to my own work. Though I of course finish with rapt attention. Thank you for making writing easier to approach. Everyone has a story to tell, and you have no doubt assisted with many. I look forward to learning all I can from your videos.

[@AaronPlay]

Yeah, this me. I never imagined how helpful plotting using key words would be. When I did it I thought of them as chapter titles. After a day I had a title for every chapter in the outline. It felt like I had so much forward momentum as a result.