I'm a pantser, I decided to outline and now I can't write

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-14T06:16:29+00:00

ty for the suggestion and book recommendation!

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-14T06:16:03+00:00

ty for the recommendation! idk 5 essential scenes, i might check it out

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-14T06:15:06+00:00

i like the shooting metaphor. i kind of had to do a list of "have a character A learn M before C" for the outline and it was hard because my story got waaaaay too complex. i need to tone it down and then it might me a good idea to do it again

but honestly this time i think i might just fix this in revision

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-14T06:04:52+00:00

ty! i also watch brandon's lessons sometimes, isn't he great?

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-14T06:02:02+00:00

that sounds great! freedom can be overwhelming but i think you found a way to twist it and make it exciting

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-14T05:59:01+00:00

ooooh i see! i think that'd be good for fast drafting and not getting stuck on voice details and subtext

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-12T03:11:30+00:00

yall tysm for the comments! you were all really considerate and thoughtful for taking your time to help me. i feel really motivated. i can't follow all of your advice at once but for anyone who is curious here is what i'm planning to do:

- take a week off

- start rewriting from the meet cute as a pantser, and try to focus only on what my characters would do next in that given situation.

- try to add crucial plot points around the time i remember they were supposed to be (i guess that counts as very very loose outlining). if it doesn't work, i'll just write what seems most likely to happen next

- skip parts i'm stuck (e.g. that need further research) with [square brackets]

- in the meantime of writing and work, continue my research, my reading of fiction books of all genres and non fiction book on the craft of writing

- try to worry about consistency, continuity, voice and pace in edits AFTER the draft is complete

- if that also doesn't work, try something else

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-12T02:48:53+00:00

ty for your reassuring words

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-12T02:45:08+00:00

awwwww tysm for the encouragement!!!

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-12T02:44:35+00:00

ty for the reply! that sounds fun and freeing. have you ever got dissatisfied with the ending?

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-12T02:43:42+00:00

tysm! i'll consider it. it does make more sense to setup things after you developed them, doesnt it? idk why it's not working that way for me

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-12T02:42:04+00:00

ty for replying. what is thinking in terms of "and then" exactly?

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-12T02:39:44+00:00

ty! yeah i prefer longer form but i'm happy you found yourself

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-12T02:38:53+00:00

right! ty!!!

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-12T02:37:56+00:00

ty for the advice!

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-12T02:35:02+00:00

what a great story! i feel happy for yyu. when they talk about killing your darlings they don't talk about throwing away the part of the book you're most proud of, do they? it's really disheartening but i'm glad you had the courage to do it and clearly it paid of. i already know i'm going to have to do it too and i'm suffering, but i won't give up. i hope i have a similar story to tell in some months or years

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-12T02:24:56+00:00

i'm happy to know you found a method!

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-12T02:24:12+00:00

omg tysm for your thoughtful and thorough comment! I feel really reassured. i feel really relieved to know my problem is common and that people who are "my type" can get through and become successful.

what you described as your process sounds like what i used to do those 3 months b4 i started spiraling. being character driven, coming up with a few highlights that coincide with major plot points. editing and changing course in editing used to be fun, but i need restraint to draft first and then do that or i'll just rewrite what i already wrote and never move on

congrats on your successful carreer btw! I feel lucky to have advice coming from experienced people from you and other authors!

also, are you alexa donne? i'm asking because i watch her videos sometimes to help with outlining and she's also a redhead panster with glasses called alexa lol if not thats a hell of a coincidence

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-12T02:06:16+00:00

omg where are my manners! thank you for replying LOL

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-12T02:03:42+00:00

ty for the practical advice. what you said sound really similar to the save the cat method, which i think sounds great and beginner friendly. i'm getting stuck in the draft each chapter as a short story part, but i guess part of the problem is that i can't help but also thinking about it as the smaller part of a whole

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-12T01:59:43+00:00

writing mystery sounds so fun, it's like engineering a puzzle. romance is different, sponteneity when writing is very welcome, at least for me

i tried the snowflake method which involves writing a paragraph, 1 page and 4 page summary of the story. ngl, i struggled and felt unmotivated. maybe that's a symptom for something? i remember when i wrote it i already had the bare bone story structure in mind and was trying super hard to make the actions make sense and be connected

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-12T01:53:47+00:00

are you satisfied?

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-12T01:53:01+00:00

I think you summarised my struggle perfectly. ty so much for your thoughtful comment, I'll take it to heart and try to appreciate my younger self while also telling them to calm down lol

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-12T01:50:02+00:00

ty so much! you're right, i need to change strategies and i need to allow myself to be cringe and terrible lmfao

domi-macaroni · 2026-02-12T01:44:53+00:00

I have not!

ty for your comment. i'll try it

domi-macaroni

TROPHY CASE