One of the hallmarks of being a pantster is that we like to be surprised – by the plot, and our own characters. We love the sense of excitement, and adventure, that comes from not knowing what’s around the next bend.
Sadly, not all surprises are pleasant. One of the big drawbacks of being a free-wheeling, I-don’t-know-what-happens-next type of writer is that we often write ourselves into a corner, or so far off track that the original story becomes lost. Or sometimes <<shock horror>> we just end up with …bloat.
<<A bloated carcass puffs up to many times its original size, and stinks>>
The trouble with written bloat, however, is that it doesn’t always stink. In fact, it may sometimes smell of Hemingway, or at least Stephen King.
“But hang on!” you say. “How can something that smells good be bad?”
Context, my friend, context.
If I’m writing a murder mystery and suddenly start waffling on about the meaning of life, death and the universe, I’ve stopped the original story in its tracks. And that’s bad because you can’t marry the front end of a chicken to the hind end of a horse and still expect to get eggs….
You can find the complete article by yours truly on Indies Unlimited :
http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2014/06/26/is-your-writing-bloated/#comments
Due to the pressure of paying bills, I’ve had to pare back some of my creative commitments, so this will be my last article for a while. However if you’re interested in the craft of writing, Indies Unlimited always has great articles on offer. 🙂
cheers
Meeks
Authors' favourite books
NANO 2012
July 19th, 2014 at 6:58 pm
Yes, bloat is a problem and it’s not limited to pantsers. Planners can get in the same kind of binds, particularly when the writing and the outline no longer mesh.
Sometimes, though, it can be good. Starting with a short story and ending up with a novel that’s deeper, meatier, and still lean.
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July 20th, 2014 at 10:21 pm
-grin- I guess the ultimate test of bloat is its quality – if it waffles around without quite getting to the point it’s bloat. If it sings like a lark it’s prose.
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July 23rd, 2014 at 6:27 pm
lol But if it doesn’t belong, does it really matter?
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July 24th, 2014 at 8:40 am
Mmm… if the writer changes horses mid-stream, or starts to make strudel instead of apple pie then yes, I think it does matter!
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July 27th, 2014 at 7:06 pm
Only if the start over in a new draft. I’ve read books that “change horses in mid-stream” and they’re frustrating stories, regardless of the quality of prose. Admittedly, there are writers who can do so effectively, usually switching back and forth, but they have a system for it, at least by the time it’s published. It’s not an accident.
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July 27th, 2014 at 9:14 pm
Yes, we can forgive just about anything if we know it was meant to be that way. 😀
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July 30th, 2014 at 7:23 am
😀 That’s about it…but, of course, we don’t know what was in earlier drafts.
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July 30th, 2014 at 7:15 pm
lol – act of faith 🙂
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July 3rd, 2014 at 11:57 pm
I just remembered that i saw somewhere “if you can cut a word, cut it!” but i can’t remember where or who said it.
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July 4th, 2014 at 10:16 pm
Rings a bell with me too but I don’t know either. It’s good advice though. 😀
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July 6th, 2014 at 6:24 am
Could it be Hemingway?
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July 7th, 2014 at 9:41 pm
lmao – Papa Hemingway? Would be nice wouldn’t it?
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July 1st, 2014 at 3:51 pm
A writing tip I’ll remember if I ever develop in that direction because as a blogger I have been known to meander…
I’m still laughing at the picture you painted of the front end of a chicken on the back end of a horse, and my mental picture of its mirror image 🙂
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July 1st, 2014 at 6:47 pm
-giggles- but at least you’d be more likely to get eggs. 😀
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June 28th, 2014 at 1:20 pm
Yeah. Spoken like a true pantster. I’ve sat in the corner a plenty. There now actually. See you when I see you.
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June 28th, 2014 at 5:46 pm
-hands Honie a cookie- There is a way out, you just have to let it sneak up on you. 🙂
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June 28th, 2014 at 12:26 pm
I agree completely, I tend to write off the seat of my pants too and then when I want to finish it, I find I’ve lost myself or written it to be something else. This is not all bad but when you’ve published it in parts and need to finish it, then you have some serious work to do.
Look forward to your return, bills must be paid unfortunately.
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June 28th, 2014 at 5:45 pm
Yes, that’s one important reason I’m too scared to try writing a serialized story.
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June 28th, 2014 at 5:58 pm
It’s a challenge to embrace… lol
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June 28th, 2014 at 7:31 pm
lmao – you lead and I’ll think about it. 😉
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June 28th, 2014 at 8:25 am
It’s quite late at night and yet I know I won’t be sleeping as all I’ll be able to imagine is you trying to marry the front end of a chicken to the hind end of a horse.
I’m sure there are writers who’ve done it and if anyone can it’s you, but please don’t invite me round for omelettes afterwards.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
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June 28th, 2014 at 5:44 pm
-giggles- Oh come on, where’s your sense of adventure?
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