To Plan or Not

It has always fascinated me how some people can plan a whole book before writing it. They have a beginning, a middle and an end. There are notes on the characters, their attributes, physical description, and sometimes, even their birthdays.

I couldn't do that. I'm not sure if it is because, I am basically lazy, or I have a desire for the unknown or, maybe, if I know what's going to happen I lose interest. I dislike TV programmes that start with a scene and then flashes back to six months earlier. This scenario seems very popular today. Why do I want to see the end before I have seen the beginning or the middle?

If you read my last post I did state that I digress so, you were warned. 🤣

I saw a drama some time back, where, in the opening scene a woman was stood over a dead body. She was covered in blood and held a knife in her hand. I thought ooo, this could be good until the screen faded out and a caption appeared stating. "One Year Earlier"

No! That's so wrong.... I mean there are only two outcomes, surely? She's been framed or she's killed someone. Now I have to watch another six episodes, all the time, knowing the outcome. When you tell someone about something you've seen or read how many times have they said. "Don't tell me the ending!"

OK, back to the title. I never plan a story. I have an idea and I start to write. I love the way the story twists and turns and how the characters develop. The downside is, usually, about half way through, I have to rewrite the beginning. Of course, when I finish I have to go back again and change lots of earlier details to suit the ending. It takes longer and if you don't pay attention to detail it can end up rather messy. But it works for me.

With Mr Khan I had no idea how it would end until I was about two chapters away from finishing it. So, whatcha think? How would you do it? Or, if you are a writer how did you do it?

Happy trails x

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