Plan Q: It’s a Writers’ Sm?rg?sbord

Welcome to Plan Q—often dubbed "the all-inclusive plan" by those in the know. Unlike many writing frameworks that follow more rigid guidelines, Plan Q offers an open-ended invitation to explore, experiment, and embrace your creative instincts.

The beauty of Plan Q lies in its flexibility. You can launch your next writing session by choosing any one (or more) of these captivating Q-words as your guide: quick, qualm, quality, question, quotable, quiz, quintessence, quagmire, questionable, quit, quiet, quintessential, quibble, quill—or any other Q-word that sparks your imagination.

Plan Q in Action

Let’s break it down:

• Question: Begin with a provocative question. Question your characters, your plot, or even your motivation to write. What unanswered curiosity could lead you to your next breakthrough?
• Quagmire: Dystopian and disaster-fiction authors often gravitate toward this Q-word, plunging their narratives into complex and sticky situations where survival is uncertain.
• Quintessential: Explore the heart of a person, place, or idea. What is the quintessential essence of your protagonist's journey or the core message of your memoir?

The Quirky Nature of Q

Some consider Q the most quixotic letter in the alphabet. It doesn’t follow the crowd; it challenges you to think differently. And Plan Q encourages you to do the same.

Write quickly. Don’t overthink. Draft with speed before your inner editor shows up with red pen in hand. As my old Army drill sergeant used to say to new recruits, "There are two kinds of people in the world: the quick and the dead!"

Be quick.

Get your words down.

You can revise later.

A Quick Quiz for You

Here’s a challenge: Which Q-word will inspire your next piece of writing? Will you tackle a quagmire, embrace quintessential themes, or perhaps craft a compelling question?

Choose your Q word and fasten your seatbelts.

With Plan Q, the possibilities are endless.