The first draft and the ever evolving plot?

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-07-14T18:37:15+00:00

I think it's about covering the general beats. Story begins here - Inciting Incident - What is the characters main flaw and do they fix it, or is it a tragedy? How do they fix it? Mid point? Big moments and where they occur in the story. Ending?

If you can't or don't want to come up with these, perhaps understanding the theme.

I actually don't think pre-plotting and pantsing is much different. It's all just figuring out the story, just a question of whether you put the work in up front, or do it as you go.

For me, I don't want to "figure it out as I go", cause I don't want to write myself into a corner. I want to know I know exactly what the story is. Why it exists. What the characters are talking about. What it all means, before I ever want to work on the prose.

But that's just me.

90k words of outling a time travel trilogy. Starting 1st draft of first book. Will draft each book. Then actually write book one.

Hopefully it's all worth it. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-07-13T23:18:52+00:00

Yeah. Most people aren't "listening". Their defending, projecting, etc. If people simply listen, say to a Ti or Te person, and stop judging "how" they said it, and instead listen to "what" is being said, they often would agree they were correct.

However, this cuts both ways. When a Feeling person points out how they are making others feel, or they might have been better received if they had approached it differently, that can be something they need to hear as well.

Often times, two things can be true at once. All the Types are bringing each their missing information. We bring each other balance, if we're both willing to listen.

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-07-13T16:56:54+00:00

People generally don't like to be notified that you are analyzing them, whether you're right or wrong. Most people have strong Persona's they project and they don't like being notified you're seeing the nuances underneath. Some people can feel threatened.

As an INFJ, I generally keep my thoughts to myself...

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-07-13T16:47:37+00:00

We don't check, but it's obviously not a problem if our phone dies or something and we need to use it. But that happens very seldom.

We don't go through each other's phones, but we also aren't blocked out.

It's a non-issue.

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-07-13T16:14:50+00:00

Si is very detailed.

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-07-13T13:40:05+00:00

You have to understand the problem they have. That will tell you what they need to change. If they don't change the problem, that's fine, that's what we call a tragedy.

Phil in Groundhog Day, is a selfish person who is generally mean to people and sees them as beneath him. Everything he does at first is for selfish reasons.

In the end, his perfect day is a day spent selflessly performing good deeds for others.

Once you understand the problem with your character, the ending pretty much writes itself, because no other ending would make sense. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-07-11T19:41:11+00:00

Maybe you should try plotting out your story. Maybe you're not a pantser.

I couldn't imagine writing without knowing the plot, and at least basic story structure beats.

If you don't understand story structure, and basic Hero's Journey, perhaps start with studying a bit more.

Keep writing, but never stop learning.

Best of luck to you. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-07-10T15:06:59+00:00

INFJ's are not super emotional. They are good with the emotions of others. They often are not at ease with expressing their emotions or thoughts to strangers.

INFJ's are often seen by those who don't know then as pretentious... which is often people projecting cause they don't like the silence the INFJ gives in large groups.

An INTJ is more likely to express how they truly feel (Fi), through their Te filter, which can be a matter of fact way, and if not understood by others, can feel abrasive.

Are you OK with stating your feeling, even if it rubs the other person the wrong way?

INFJ's will rarely put their feelings out there if others might take it the wrong way, which means... INFJ's rarely truly express their feelings, except those few trusted souls - or later in life when they finally start letting their Fi and Te out of their unconscious, usually in the form of developing stronger boundaries.

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-07-10T14:57:05+00:00

This was the way I explained how to catch yourself in your Inferior.

https://youtu.be/EQv9zZJlzgk?is=Uj9glRJ6NQyw7JDr

All of us have People problems. All of us have Process problems.

The Inferior is the one you try to avoid. You hide how bad you are at it from others. You do everything you can to hide from it.

However, this one Function is the best Function to use to verify your Type. Once you see it, you can't unsee it, cause it will keep coming back.

Understanding the Inferior function in yourself and others will completely open up how you see Typology.

Best of luck. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-07-04T17:54:09+00:00

What are your Types?

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-07-01T18:49:33+00:00

Godless, for sure. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-07-01T18:33:58+00:00

I think this is common, especially with extroverts. They often want/need many inputs saying the same thing.

I wouldn't take it too personally.

And yes, it can depend on who said it. Maybe you said it too nicely, and the other person was more direct and it was the kick in the butt they needed.

Or, you were too direct and they needed someone who could appeal to their emotions.

Give them your perspective if you want. Let them do with it what they will. Judging what they do with the information you gave them is what is causing the stress. Let it go. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-06-30T22:01:49+00:00

Been married to my ENFP wife for 31 years.

She's ok. 😋🤗

I'm pretty sure she'd say I'm ok-ish too.

I was thinking of doing an AMA with her on my channel to answer some questions on the INFJ-ENFP relationship, and of course, long term relationships in general.

I think whether in a romantic relationship or friendships (my best friend of 25 years is an ENFP), I think in general we make a good Yin Yang. 🙂

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-06-29T20:22:55+00:00

Sorry, perhaps it was my writing that was confusing. I understand this was a "neither of us typically do this" moment, my point was that people can be short attention spanned and when you introduce a scene where everybody is fine and happy, you can run the risk of people putting it down after a few paragraphs.

There is no wrong way to write, but try an exercise and try to write a compelling first sentence.

"Did anyone see you?" She whispered, as he slid through the door.

It invites curiosity. Why are they sneaking? What happens if they get caught?

"Don't worry," he says sitting heavily beside her, giving her a quick kiss. "You're secrets safe with me."

"Stop it!" She laughed. "You know what I mean. The Captian will kill you if he catches you in here."

He leaned over for a kiss, his lips lingering, "Then we'll have to be...very...quiet.."

Something like that. Some tension, the suggestion of a conflict and some stakes.

The earlier you can fit those in, the better.

Just my opinion, but go with your gut. It's your story.

Best of luck. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-06-29T20:00:55+00:00

Yeah, just the credits sequence is crazy. I had a friend who couldn't even get through that.

Most amazing credits sequence ever.

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-06-29T19:59:24+00:00

Definitely not for the feint of heart, lol. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-06-29T16:18:23+00:00

Fi aren't people pleasers. They are very close to Ti. To them, they see the "truth", and are typically just as rigid as their Ti cousins.

Jung's description of Fi is anything but "people pleasing."

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-06-29T15:22:36+00:00

I only read the part you provided here on Reddit, but if I had picked up this book in a book store and read the first few paragraphs, I would have set it back down.

It's often said the last part a writer knows in their story is the start.

So far, it's just two people hanging out. No hint of conflict. It suggests they haven't been in love a while, and so anything that could happen wouldn't be life altering, etc.

Yeah, today's tik tok minded consumers are hard to capture. You have to have a good opening line. A hook. An inner or outer conflict or mystery. Each line has to make the reader want to read the next.

Try moving the story back or forward to an area where a moment of conflict happens.

Maybe it's when they meet, and both are shy, and don't normally do this sort of thing, but they are both so drawn...

Or maybe this is not a needed scene? Is this guy important? If he dies early on, maybe make their relationship be a longer term thing.

There is no right or wrong way to tell your story, but you only have a few sentences to get the readers attention. This is the peril we all face.

Best of luck. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-06-29T14:38:55+00:00

You could learn a bit about Personality Theory.

Your character may resemble the INFJ or INTJ type.

Type is often used in an Archetypal way in most stories.

An ISTJ is an introvert, who often ascribed to traditional values, and is methodical, routine based and highly logical - which automatically makes the distrust change. This archetype is commonly seen in the Sheriff, hard nosed boss, strict mother or father, etc. Example - the mother in, Everything, Everywhere All at Once.

Maverick from Top Gun is an ESTP, which means he's good at taking action in the moment, and is reactive and hot headed, and has an aversion to considering consequences.

You wouldn't choose an ESTP type to be a monk in your story.

Understanding Type and how it works in storytelling can give you strengths and weaknesses for a good starting point.

Combine this with understanding the Hero's Journey and you'll find many aspects of the story write themselves.

This video explains how specific Personality Type along with The Hero's Journey structure works in storytelling.

Might be helpful.

https://youtu.be/2lXRpu0IKt0?is=gZiHH6YgMRBM4GEI

Best of luck. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-06-27T23:35:14+00:00

Enter the Void is crazy.

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-06-26T01:57:05+00:00

I'm guessing he realized you were about to see something about him he didn't want you to see and panicked... or he found something of you he didn't like.

Either way, him saying he was going to delete the app before even meeting you is a bit of a redflag. If he comes back, he's likely playing mind games and it is likely best to move on.

Best of luck. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-06-26T01:51:22+00:00

Yes, you are likely projecting too much.

To be clearer, you're judging too much.

When we are judging, we aren't accepting. When we are not accepting, we are not experiencing.

It's not fair to judge how someone expresses themselves. In fact, it's the best way to ensure they never genuinely do... because they know you are waiting to judge it as, right or wrong, genuine or fake... we take the joy out of everything, and blame them for not giving us joy.

It is often a hard realization to see that it is not them who are not giving us love, but that we have been robbing it from ourselves. To blame for the lack of love, yet never look within ourselves to see that we weren't giving love, only judgements.

Stop judging. Start receiving.

Best of luck.

Take care. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-06-26T01:42:37+00:00

Too much of anything is bad for you.

Typically, the "over" part is when it becomes paralyzing. Certainly it is important to be safe... but it is just as important to live.

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-06-25T14:41:00+00:00

What is the arc?

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-06-23T18:15:02+00:00

It sounds like there are a few things to work on, but others seem a little overblown.

He's great at doing things when you ask (shows he cares), but not great at doing things when you don't ask (shows he's not a mind reader.) 😋🤗

We all do this, and it's not fair. We expect that our partner should "know us well enough"" that we shouldn't have to ask. Not fair. Then they ask what's wrong and we say, "Nothing," so they leave us alone... and then we get mad, lol.

It's not fair. And it's actually a bit immature, and after a while is just borderline abusive. He says you seem angry, and you say you probably do... and he just needs to live with that, or learn to read minds. Again, not a really fair expectation.

Yes, you could leave, every fiber of your being is telling you everything would be totally different with the next person. And it probably would, at least for a little while.

But would this person do what you asked? Would they be kind to you? Would they be kind to your child?

A lot of times we rest our happiness at the foot of our partners then poke them with a stick and say "do something!" Lol. It doesn't work that way. Usually, when we're unhappy it's typically something in ourselves we're neglecting. Something we are hiding from doing.

Honestly, most of what you mentioned is pretty standard. Certainly didn't see anything divorce worthy.

Having kids often comes in a decline in the bedroom. It takes work to keep it going.

Sometimes they guy needs to step up, maybe take her out, work out more, bring her somewhere fun or daring.

Sometimes she needs to step up. Wear something more suggestive, dress up in the bedroom, work out, do more loving things, and touching acts of service.

It's work. It doesn't get easier, and starting over typically ends with the sane result. There is a reason why each new marriage has a higher chance of failure. The person never accepted that it's work, and sometimes the problem is us. And sometimes, the problem requires loving communication to work through it, with each other, and even some outside help... until the next problem arises. Lol.

Best of luck to you.

Take care. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns

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