Thanks, Brandon and exactly! I need to read that book!

Thank you, and you too!

Brandon: Thank you for sharing your experiences. I was at such a standstill.Talk about a dry season (TS Eliot).
This has been exceptionally helpful. Best.

Becca: True. One of my Uni writing tutors, years ago said,
“There is no right, there is no wrong (in writing).

Thanks for the inspiration. I was so lacking.

Thanks for this on pantsing/flying Brandon. What you say not only makes perfect sense but shows the difference, though subtle it may be (?)perhaps, between pantsing and situational.
I’m wondering if the ‘structure’ in situation that you refer to exists in the very idea that forms as you [begin to] write? And then, as you say, you ‘let the situation unfold [bringing as much truth to it as possible]’.
I’m now wondering if I do not already (at times) use situational without realizing it?
Or change between or merge both ‘methods’.
But then, yes, it’s story that matters although, I have to admit that I sometimes sit down and write with such ease, it just flows. I never really know what is going to flow but hell, it feels great! I could write forever in this way.
Then again, as someone said to me years ago, ‘You need structure’, and that was tied in with discipline.
Can we navigate a boat without knowing much if anything about the surrounds or knowing where we are going?
Is that what Thor Heyerdahl did?
The peoples of the Carolinian/Micronesian islands [apparently] settled there because although they had reached the islands, they had no way of [knowing how to] getting back to where they had come from…
A beginning a middle but no end maybe creating an entirely different story to that which they started out [intending]?
But don’t we all like a good ending? I watched a movie the other night and the end? I’m still hanging there.

Deborah: Touche!

Sherri, I’d call myself a ‘pantser’, too. The situational apprisch sounds good. I might try it out.
All the best with yr novel!

PS. Brandon: How would I, in developing John’s ‘situation’, address his dilemma, down the track, when, after, for example, he has been churned through the process but at tge ‘end’ -where there is no actual resolve, and therefore, no actual ‘end’ but rather, only the ongoing dilemma?
Getting away from myself here.
E.g., they need to pin the tail on thd dinkey, to appease public thirst, to play out their alteriir motives whatever they might be, so might just scapegoat him and throw away the key regardless.
Dead end. No resolve..?
Is that situational and if so then is this what you mean by springboading fartherest (he might escape, etc etc) but continue to be sent in circles?
Perhaps I could give the ‘situational’ approach a go. It does have a certain appeal.

Brandon: No.prob., and thanks for your informative reply. It makes good sense. I like that (unlike me) you write clearly. I have some understanding as a result of yr reply although I can’t say which method comes more naturally.
I’ve been trying to figure out how to plot/plotting for so long now, that I’ve grown exceptionally long teeth and lost all my hair. I still cannot grasp the difference between plot points and turning points or determine where, actually, the 25% and 75% mark of book falls.
The point being that, although I.was determined to master plotting, I might be better off just writing!? Which leads me back to my initial post and yr response!
I need to reread yr reply and chew it over
Thanx.