I don’t plan, but then again, surely to some degree I must.

It’s one of those more beard stroking literary subjects -planner vs pantster, and to what degree does one method bleed into the other?

The Pareto principle almost comes to the fore here with 80% saying they plan EVERYTHING on a near scene-by-scene line by line basis. 

The balance of the 20%, is again subdivided into 80% writing broad outlines and 20% not.

This then leaves a pitiful 4% of writers as some sort of white-knuckle lightning riding wide eyed no idea what happens next kid of story telling folks. 

Me, I’m part of that 4% minority.

And, for me it’s kinda worked thus far.

Thus far…

It’s not that I don’t keep notes, keep track of what has happened so as not to trip myself up with repetition or indeed contradictions – I do keep notes. 

I plan little bits, like railway routes, these things are ‘truths’ that artistic license or indeed ignorance discount at their peril.

I had to create a pin map of the USA just to keep track with how Amy Grace was crisscrossing that vast country.

I also have a little subfolder full of Victorian female fashion – a little collection of dresses so that I may adequately describe what my MC is wearing (and why). 

However, now I’m trying to write an epic, a true saga, a leather-bound gold leaf embossed heavyweight charting the adult life of one man, his family, his loves his losses and his eventual (and tragic) death; and I MUST plan!

I’ve wedded my tale to immoveable historic events – ergo I MUST plan how to get from event A all the way to Z. 

It’s just how far down the rabbit hole of planning do I go?

I’m not looking to create a pastiche of Richard Sharpe – that ship has successfully sailed. 

I think that if I stick to the actual timeline and opportunities available, then the need for artistic licence will be reduced, as the actual truth of the events under discussion will be entertaining enough.

I’m starting with the Anglo Egyptian war in the Sudan 1855.  This in itself is a wealth of exciting opportunities – the last time British soldiers went into battle wearing ‘red coats,’ the last full cavalry charge (a certain Mr Winston Churchill no less), an army still manoeuvring across the battlefield in infantry squares, and of course the introduction of the machine gun…

So much available…

Will my little writing sanctum sanctorum become a post it note and string madhouse?

Time will indeed tell, but I’m hopeful that I won’t kill the spirit of free form scribbling, and that I’ll still be able to follow the required structure of history.

This is my hope, my dream.

More books need to be read, gaps in my knowledge need filling, but I hope that the finished book lives up to its promise, and that I can do this project justice.

Stay safe & remain sane!