Myrtle Brooks

STORIES OF THE MOTHER BEAR

    Black Rose Writing                              Publication Date: 1/17/2019

One author interviewer posed the question: "Are you a plotter or a pantser?" A plotter is the self-disciplined sort 

who outlines the story in advance and for the most part will adhere to the framework. A pantser takes one step at

 a time, letting the story lead the author. I am definitely the latter. My take is: I don't have a clue what will happen

 to me in the next moment: why should my stories and characters be any different? OK... sometimes this spurt 

of inspiration wells inside and all of a sudden I have the perfect ending. Not the ending of a scene: the ending of 

the novel. Or screenplay. So... do I say: Hey, I refuse to know about this? I'm not crazy. Of course I seize the 

blessing, jump up and down and say: Whoopie! Just an exception, folks.

That's me: the pantser with an occasional plot.

Tried this in real life? Disorder royale. Have to make a list. Everything from business, finances, what to buy 

when I go down the street, to what to focus on spiritually in prayer, who to get in touch with... and the time 

I will devote to my love of writing and editing. I retired this past April. Wow! That's 8 hours more time I have 

per day plus commute for the rest of my life. All the time in the world...  BZZZZ! Figured it out. This time is to 

catch up on the stuff I didn't have time for when I was working. OHMYGOSH, it's a mountain!! Alone, my belly 

rumbles with an endless supply of books, short stories, screenplays, symphonies, concertos, songs, tone poems 

and poem-poems I have yet to write. And that's just my art. HELP!!! 

Have a friend, an EAP social worker who once told me: "The usefulness of a cup is in its emptiness. 

What happens," he asked, "When you try to pour water into a cup that is already full?" "Pick out what's urgent and 

important first and leave the rest for later."

Some of the best advice I've ever received. Great! So I can get up in the morning and know what to do first. That's 

all I need. BZZZZ! "The spirit is willing." Yes, but then there's the urge to comment on a thousand news articles that 

tick people off, and be enthralled by the lilt of Candy Crush Soda's classical score. Where am I now? Level 458.

So... real life necessitates my being a plotser. Gotta go. I gave myself until 2:45 today to do some blogging. Love you guys. 

Don't cram the cup too full. And make it sweet.