Writing As You Go Versus Outlining Ahead Of Time

Rochester · Apr 27, 2010

I know plenty of writers who write as they go and uncover the story as they write. Likewise, I know plenty of writers who do detailed outlines and beat sheets before starting the actual writing process. And of course, I know plenty of people who do both, depending on the project.

I'd love to hear opinions on what you people think on the subject.

Kelsey · Apr 27, 2010

I don't know how detailed my outlines are, but I definitely do outline. Having a general idea of my beginning, middle, and end usually saves me from writing 100 great pages only to realize I have no idea what happens next and giving up. Knowing all of the major events and turning points keeps me writing, but I am still free to add in little bits should I think of them while it's in progress.

Parametric · Apr 27, 2010

I have colour-coded spreadsheets.

shadowwalker · Apr 27, 2010

I can't outline. Well, I can, but inevitably my outline turns into a full-fledged chapter. I could never write a completed outline anyway, because I would have no idea what B would be until I'd fleshed out A. I guess, just for me, instead of spending that much time writing an outline, I'd rather write the story.

mccardey · Apr 27, 2010

I tried the outlining thing on Monday - it nearly killed me. (see I hate plotting thread)

I think it's a question of how your brain works. Mine works the other way.

Rochester · Apr 27, 2010

Does it come down to a philosophical point of view? For instance, you believe you are uncovering an already finished story existing invisible in the ether, or you believe you are creating said story yourself.

mccardey · Apr 27, 2010

Does it come down to a philosophical point of view? For instance, you believe you are uncovering an already finished story existing invisible in the ether, or you believe you are creating said story yourself.

Or does the philosophy just provide an acceptable explanation for the approach you instinctively use...?

Either way I hate plotting.

Linda Adams · Apr 27, 2010

Non-outliner. I have actually been frustrated enough by my process to try outlines. My process is pretty much like throwing paint at the wall to see what sticks, which has resulted in the past in lots of revision. I tried outlines of various sorts, but even when they were explained in detail and with examples, I had a hard time wrapping myself around the concepts. Instead, I concluded that outlining and I don't play well together, and I've been trying to find ways to solve the revision time issue.

tanglewoodtracey · Apr 27, 2010

I wouldn't call it a formal outline but I wrote a 5k word summary of my novel with all the basic plot points. Now I'm expanding it into the actual novel (sort of like the snowflake method but not quite).

I personally could not just sit down and write as my ideas come to me when my mind is idle (doing something boring, driing in the car, taking a shower, getting my nails done, etc....) and then I write those ideas down until I have enough for the summary which then turns into the novel.

I admire those that write by the seat of their pants. I wish I could do it!

Tracey

Rochester · Apr 27, 2010

Linda Adams said:
Non-outliner. I have actually been frustrated enough by my process to try outlines. My process is pretty much like throwing paint at the wall to see what sticks, which has resulted in the past in lots of revision. I tried outlines of various sorts, but even when they were explained in detail and with examples, I had a hard time wrapping myself around the concepts. Instead, I concluded that outlining and I don't play well together, and I've been trying to find ways to solve the revision time issue.

So how much do you know about any given story before you begin?

Rochester · Apr 27, 2010

I find that I can write both ways, but I often wonder if writing without an outline makes the writing suffer.

Ineti · Apr 27, 2010

Since a couple of my early sales were work-for-hire, I learned early on to outline. I need to know the basic structure of my story before I write the full manuscript. Otherwise I end up writing random scenes and then waste a ton of time trying to figure out how they fit together and what's missing to make them a cohesive whole. Much easier for me to hammer out all the important elements in an outline.

Being able to outline or summarize is also critical when trying to put together a detailed synopsis for sending to agents or editors. It's pretty much a necessary piece of a submissions package, so I'm glad I learned how to deal with it earlier than later in my career.

Margarita Skies · Apr 27, 2010

Right now, I am writing as I go because I don't brainstorm anymore. I just can't, that's just off, and it's been turned off since November, so right now, if I want to finish my WIP's, I have to do some BIC and just write, I have no other choice. However, when I do brainstorm, I write my new ideas on a separate document, especially if they're slightly far from what's currently happening in the story, and when I get to the scenes that are outlined, I just continue writing from there, and of course it's a lot easier for me, but I'd have to say I do both, depending on the situation I'm in when it comes to my work.

dpaterso · Apr 27, 2010

Heh, "Outline or no outline?" comes up so often that it's one of the fun questions in your AW profile. Some choose Outline, some choose Wing It. The former like to lay out a road map, the latter feel that a road map kills spontaneous creativity.

I've mentioned elsewhere that I look ahead far enough to figure out and visualize the ending, which I can then work towards. So that's probably a mix of outline and no outline. I can come up with fresh fun ideas while writing, but I'm still heading for an established finish line.

As with most things there is no right or wrong way, there's only whatever works best for you.

-Derek

NoGuessing · Apr 27, 2010

I'm both. I sometimes outline something I want, other times its make it up as i go. I generally have parts I want in my head anyway.

In my novel at the moment (my first) I've found that sometimes characters just won't always do what you thought. I'll be writing and I'll get to a point and think "this guy would never do that."

mccardey · Apr 27, 2010

Being able to outline or summarize is also critical when trying to put together a detailed synopsis for sending to agents or editors. It's pretty much a necessary piece of a submissions package, so I'm glad I learned how to deal with it earlier than later in my career.

This is so true!! I only realised it when I was starting the querying process. But it's why I wanted to try the plot-first scenario.

gothicangel · Apr 27, 2010

I've always winged it, but in previous drafts I found the middle of the novel always sags.

So for the first time I doing a detailed outline for this draft. Much better.

Kitty27 · Apr 27, 2010

I find that doing an outline leads to procrastination.

The only thing I do is come up with the MC's,a general plot and start writing.

I do keep notes of important events in my novels,so I guess that's an outline.

NoGuessing · Apr 27, 2010

Kitty27 said:
I find that doing an outline leads to procrastination.

The only thing I do is come up with the MC's,a general plot and start writing.

I do keep notes of important events in my novels,so I guess that's an outline.

Yeah this. When you have different characters in one place with conflicting goals, you're away, even if you don;t know where.

fredXgeorge · Apr 27, 2010

I don't outline. Tried it once and it just didn't work. I have kind of a general idea of the story but that's about it. I'm 15k into my current WIP and I've had lots of different ideas as I've gone along and will have many more I'm sure. I still don't actually know how it's going to end.

blacbird · Apr 27, 2010

All depends on how your brain works. There is no right or wrong involved.

Well . . . unless your brain, like mine, just doesn't work.

caw

Bufty · Apr 28, 2010

So what opinions did all these writer folk have to offer when you asked them?

This thread usually goes nowhere fast.

Rochester said:
I know plenty of writers who write as they go and uncover the story as they write. Likewise, I know plenty of writers who do detailed outlines and beat sheets before starting the actual writing process. And of course, I know plenty of people who do both, depending on the project.

I'd love to hear opinions on what you people think on the subject.

Rubicon · Apr 28, 2010

You should try outlining for some stories and don't outline for others.

Until you've completed a collection of stories to the best of your ability you won't truly know what yields the best results.

And to answer the question it depends on the story.

hannah_92 · Apr 28, 2010

I'm completly crap at outlining properly. I've always written a basic few lines of what comes into my head for further into the story, such as this happenes to A, B does such and such in chapter X. This has always worked me, and also writing whatever chapter comes into my head. I started a bigger project recently and tried outlining it properly but it just caused a lot of hassle. I'm going to go back to it and just wing it when I have some spare time, hopefully it shoud come out better than when I tried outlining it.

RJK · Apr 28, 2010

I write about crimes. I pick an interesting crime or victim, then try to solve the crime. I keep throwing roadblocks in front of my detectives' way, just like real life. I have my antagonist try his best to get away with the crime. To me, it's a game or a fox hunt. I couldn't outline that. There are too many variables.
It's fun to write the story, because I'm solving the crime that I committed. and trying to catch myself. The hard part is remembering what each character shouldn't know.

Writing As You Go Versus Outlining Ahead Of Time

Rochester

Kelsey

Book Slut

Parametric

shadowwalker

empty-nester!

mccardey

Rochester

mccardey

Linda Adams

Soldier, Storyteller

tanglewoodtracey

Loves a good trainwreck

Rochester

Rochester

Ineti

Purveyor of Prose

Margarita Skies

dpaterso

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NoGuessing

Buzz

mccardey

gothicangel

Toughen up.

Kitty27

So Goth That I Was Born Black

NoGuessing

Buzz

fredXgeorge

I heart sexy elves and wizards.

blacbird

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

Rubicon

hannah_92

RJK

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