To Outline, or Not to Outline?

dudekpj · Dec 9, 2011

I've been writing for five years, and after finishing a number of novels I'd never previously outlined, I just completed my first "well planned/outlined" novel, and I must say, the experience surprised me.

I actually enjoyed it, and the final product required far less editing than my previous works due to it's enhanced structure.

Was wondering what other people think of outlining their novel prior to writing it, or if most people here are of the type, just write, and let the words flow?

MJNL · Dec 9, 2011

I bet you'll find people are pretty 50/50 around here-- but I'm an outliner. I didn't start out that way, but I wrote much better stories once I began outlining. And there are even different kinds of outliners--my outlines are more like free-thought notes that take the story from beginning to end, but often contain contradictory ideas I weed out when I actually write the story. Some people are much more rigid in their outlining.

blacbird · Dec 9, 2011

The approach depends hugely on genre. If you write Fantasy, as 90% of the people frequenting AW do, you'll probably do better to outline in detail.

caw

Chekurtab · Dec 9, 2011

I would love to have a good outline. But all I have are general ideas, which results in endless edits and rewrites.

Tromboli · Dec 9, 2011

I plan a decent amount but almost none of it is written. Sometimes I write out a synopsis if I think I need it (or randomly have a desire to). For the most part I just plan it out in my head. Running through the story and characters like a day dream.

Nualláin · Dec 9, 2011

I have a vague idea in my head and start spilling it out on page one. Then around 25,000 words later, I ask myself why I didn't think this through in more detail and start a separate page of notes on things I have to go back and add/delete/revise.

Never stops me doing the same thing next time...

warau · Dec 9, 2011

You might find this thread relevant.
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=231201

I lean towards an outline.

Hiroko · Dec 9, 2011

^
Yes, I thought I'd seen this topic not long ago...

But that's beside the point. As much as outlining is recommended for any kind of writing pursuit, I don't outline for my novels. I scribble notes down during the writing and and when I think I'll forget something.

mccardey · Dec 9, 2011

I'll let you know. I've just finished (I hope) an outline for New Book. Waiting for beta to get back to me with his reactions - then I might get to start with the wordage.

I'm hoping it's just as much fun, but a bit more controlled this way. Seat-of-the-pants writing worked very well with Old Book, but the editing took quite a long time...

Jupiter · Dec 10, 2011

I prefer to have at least a basic outline. I used to write without outlining anything before hand and then regret not taking the time to do it.

BotByte · Dec 10, 2011

I outline the scenes really quickly, like:

MC climbs mountain
Stops to rest within the low clouds - watches the insects and metaphor about life
Climbs some more
Gets on top
Looks over the crest of the mountain range.

And then I write it out after reading these notes over and over.

I also have a rough idea what I want to set out for and I like to write the above a day in advance so I can just jump into writing. I find it torturous to sit down and have to think about what to write.

I point out the opening, point of no return and the ending. Right now, I'm 34,000 in and just finished the PNR and need to build three stories and to stubble somehow to the end.

gothicangel · Dec 10, 2011

I hold a vague plot in my head before I start writing. Which is simpler this time round as the WIP is based on a Christian legend [no historical evidence.] I then built my fictional world around that.

The only things I'll write about are brief characters studies and prelimanary historical research [i.e Early Christianity, who are the real-life historical characters and events? etc.]

Linda Adams · Dec 10, 2011

I throw paint at the wall and see what sticks. I've tried outlines and have found them totally unhelpful for me.

JoannaFarrow · Dec 10, 2011

For me, outlining is a must. I've worked in publishing, some of that time was at a children's packager. Pantsing it wasn't an option. I think it's something that has been pounded into me. Yes, sometimes the outline changes, but The Big Things don't so much. If they do, I've not done a very good outline, have I?

sknipper · Dec 10, 2011

I've tried to outline, but it kills the magic for me. The books I've outlined are the ones I've become bored with and never finished, so it's seat of the pants for me.

BethS · Dec 10, 2011

Love the way the choices were labeled.

BethS · Dec 10, 2011

Linda Adams said:
I throw paint at the wall and see what sticks.

Great description.

virtue_summer · Dec 10, 2011

None of the poll choices work for me. My current favorite approach is to write a summary/outline of the story in present tense and then expand that for the next draft. It's not a list of events and I don't do character charts. It's basically telling the story in present tense, summarizing it (Guy walks into a bar and the bartender says...) Details that come to mind at the time get dumped into it. Dialogue I can hear at that point goes in. But if I can't think of how to express an idea or an image I don't worry about it. I note down what needs to be there and fill it in on the next pass (Describe such and such.) It's messy, often lacks proper formatting and punctuation, and contains a lot of telling rather than showing. But it works for me. It's often a half to two-thirds the length of the final story. Now, I haven't completed a novel with this approach yet. I developed it while working on short stories. But it looks like I'm going to start taking the same approach to the novel I'm currently working on, so we'll see how it pans out.

owlion · Dec 10, 2011

I tend to do a very general outline of basic major plot-points, but not enough to keep me from changing little details

Shadow_Ferret · Dec 10, 2011

I sit down with nothing in mind, no plan, no scene, no thoughts, and I pick up my pen and start writing.

blacbird said:
The approach depends hugely on genre. If you write Fantasy, as 90% of the people frequenting AW do, you'll probably do better to outline in detail.

caw

90% of what I write is fantasy. I have never outlined.

Architectus · Dec 10, 2011

I think ever book would be better if outlined, even the great ones which weren't outlined.

LadyDae · Dec 10, 2011

It depends on the writer. Some (like me) find it restrictive. Others use it as a way to focus. I've never used them and if I tried, my novel went in a totally different direction. I kind of just go where the story takes me. Mind you, story ideas and plots sit in my head for almost six months at a time before I write them.

BethS · Dec 10, 2011

Architectus said:
I think ever book would be better if outlined

Why?

All that matters is the end result, and most of the time, you can't tell how a book was written after the fact.

scarletpeaches · Dec 10, 2011

God knows why I entered this thread, knowing what it would do to my blood pressure, but here goes...

Architectus said:
I think ever book would be better if outlined, even the great ones which weren't outlined.

No, no, no, no, no.

Outlines (or the lack thereof) have no effect on the final product. They are merely methods the author uses (or not) to come up with that final product.

aurinko · Dec 10, 2011

I tend to put together a sort of an outline in my head, to explain to myself what the story is about and what the main themes are, but I never write down any of that, since I always know that once I start writing, I'll end up changing everything so much that my outline will become outdated pretty fast.

I tend to make flowcharts while I'm writing, though. Makes it easier for me to stay focused on the next step and prevents me from driving off to the left field.

To Outline, or Not to Outline?

Novel Outlines, Do You Use Them?

River Writer: You jump right in and let the words start flowing.

Flight Check Writer: Prior to takeoff, you prepare a simple outline and a couple character charts.

Blueprint Wizard: You prepare vast spreadsheets and charts prior to tackling your first sentence.

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