I would love to be the kind of writer than can meticulously plot a novel before ever typing the first line of dialog. It would be great to know where my next day of typing will lead and where it will all end.
But I write with a two-point plan. 1) What's immediately next; and 2) the ending. My characters decide what they're doing next, and my plot is the result of their decisions and mistakes, not mine.
While this method has advantages, the other appeals to me enough to keep trying it. Unfortunately, I have a serious problem falling in love with my story via an outline. And I certainly can't get to know my characters that way! Even great novels and movies I love don't look so good when boiled down to an outline.
How do you outliners believe in your story at the napkin scribbles stage? Is it just a matter of trusting yourselves and a general story idea?
But I write with a two-point plan. 1) What's immediately next; and 2) the ending. My characters decide what they're doing next, and my plot is the result of their decisions and mistakes, not mine.
While this method has advantages, the other appeals to me enough to keep trying it. Unfortunately, I have a serious problem falling in love with my story via an outline. And I certainly can't get to know my characters that way! Even great novels and movies I love don't look so good when boiled down to an outline.
How do you outliners believe in your story at the napkin scribbles stage? Is it just a matter of trusting yourselves and a general story idea?