Planning and Pantsing in Equal Measure

So, fun fact: I decided to learn how to use Twine about three days before we embarked on this project. 

Which is probably not the smartest way to go about it. I've never been much of a planner -- most of "Trouble Brewing" itself is written on the fly, with me, Maudeen, and Doug crowded around my laptop, trying to come up with the wittiest one-liners. The vague shape of the plot -- our MC running away from an arranged marriage and somehow landing in the middle of the rebelling, as well as the "bad" endings we plan on writing, have been part of TB from before it had a name. As did the general archetypes of the characters, and, of course, the upcoming masked ball (can't have a historical romance without a ball, right?).  But a lot of our creative choices are done as its being written, usually beginning with the question: what would be the funniest thing that could happen right now?

Not to say that there is no planning beyond the general shape. We have major story beats planned along a timeline, and each chapter's writing process begins with an outline indicating what we want to accomplish in the chapter, what major events and choices will occur, and which characters will get the spotlight. I think, though, that our best jokes have been born of spontaneous collaboration. It makes the story more fun to write and less stressful -- a passion project that can grow organically. 

So, as always, we hope you have as much fun coming along on this journey with us. Because we're having a blast. 

John