Wandering off track

[Renfaery]

I outlines my book very loosely before I started it, but I feel it moves on and off track at will. I could spend time forcing it to stay in line, but should I?

Or is it just as well to just get it written for now, and fix that when I rewrite?

[Wolvel]

Write it then fix it back in place.

[KC Sunshine]

I prefer to not make the rewrite too gruelling and try to keeep on track as much as possible. However, if you write scenes that you like and don't quite fit in with the book you are currently writing, perhaps put them aside in a seperate file and save for later.

[deborahlea]

When my books moved off track, I found it was in a better direction borne of my already knowing more of the story than I ever could have in outline stage. Part of my joy in writing them was, indeed, in discovering the story as I went - including discovering where the story, when actually told, diverged from what I'd simply imagined.

I guess it depends on if you're happy with the direction the "away" takes you. If you are, then go with it. If not, I'd still probably suggest going with it and getting back on track in edits. But if you're not content with the direction the writing is taking you? Reassess now, before getting much deeper in, and see if you can't fix it now in favor of avoiding a zillion (very technical term, I know) extra hours of revising.

[tehuti88]

If the story seems like it could still work with the wandering in it (i. e., if the wandering offtrack does contribute to the plot), maybe give it a chance and see where it goes. Perhaps this is the story's way of telling you that it needs to go in a direction much different from the one you planned. It happens. We can't plan out everything. Sometimes our own ideas surprise us.

If you really do think it could detract from your real idea to tell the story, though, maybe try to keep it in line. The fact that you're here asking makes it seem like you're not too sure, and that you're willing to be flexible; if I were you I'd just let it go where it might and see how it ends up. You can always write another story more on track later.

[Tiergan]

I agree on the don't make rewrites too grueling. They are a pain enough as is.
But, I I would wander. That's what characters do, they get a life of their own and should. Everyone grows, and regresses at times in our lives, our characters should as well. A wandering in your writing may be them telling you, you thought you had me all figured out, but i am deeper than that--I have other issues.

So my advice is let the writing wander, but like a dog, have long leash on it, so it doesnt get out of eyesight.

[~grace~]

almost every writer is going to have a different answer to this question haha


I tend to know my beginning and my ending and have a fuzzy middle, and as long as what's going on seems like it will connect up with my ending, I just let it happen.

which is why one of my WIPs now has a Donut Fairy.

[Danthia]

I wander, but I allow for wandering. I like to have a basic outline and know my major set pieces, plot points, reversals, etc, but I like to let the writing flow spontaneously. I guess you could say I always know where I'm going, but rarely exactly how I'll get there. I find this lets me keep the novel on track and still allow for creative freedom to work its magic. I've discovered that trying to force my novel to fit what I outlined months before is a good way to get stale, flat, prose and plots that feel contrived.

[Straka]

Write it then fix it back in place.

I tend to do this. It can take more time during the editing process but I feel that sometimes you can wander on track to and not even know it.

[dirtsider]

Before you wrestle your plot back to the outline, make a copy of the wandering plot as well. You might want to go back to it later and see if it works better.

[Renfaery]

Thanks everyone, for your input. I think I will let the plot wander for now, as it does seem to be heading for my ending, just in a different way than I intended.

If I decide I don't like it I will change it later.