is it better to plan or to flow

Gmz1023 · Mar 19, 2008

Okay, simple question i believe...

Is it better to plan out each and every chapter as you write them, or is it better to just to let it flow, Writing off your head and walking your characters into trapps, Twists, and Situations.

Mr Flibble · Mar 19, 2008

It depends -- on the individual writer and how they work best, on the project, on a million things.

I do very vague outlines, have a few scenes in mind to work towards. That works best for me, might be awful for someone else.

taloom · Mar 19, 2008

IdiotsRUs said:
It depends -- on the individual writer and how they work best, on the project, on a million things.

I do very vague outlines, have a few scenes in mind to work towards. That works best for me, might be awful for someone else.

Same here. I usually have a general idea what will happen in each chapter but I don't plot specifics.

seun · Mar 19, 2008

Better doesn't come into it. It depends on the writer and the story.

blueobsidian · Mar 19, 2008

seun said:
Better doesn't come into it. It depends on the writer and the story.

I completely agree. My best friend uses some of the most detailed outlines I've ever seen. Personally, I don't do much planning and rarely have any clue where the story is headed. Neither option is right. We just have opposite work styles and feel more comfortable doing things our own way.

I always suggest that people try both, and see which feels right for them.

jst5150 · Mar 19, 2008

Plan.

Now ...

I am a writer who usually writes by flow. However, I usually arm myself with facts and ideas before I start flowin'. This is still planning. In fact, for my second book, I used an outline and it helped immensely. It did not kill fresh ideas. In fact, the fresh ideas were nice additions to an already strong framework. I say this as a nonoutliner. But I may be confusing my point here.

Come to the keyboard or notepad armed with facts, ideas and direction; and you've already planned. If you're just jotting stuff down as you go with little coherency, you're Jack Kerouac.

Plan.

Bufty · Mar 19, 2008

Use whichever method works best for you.

The 'seat of the pants' novel writer can probably expect to have a more re-writing, shuffling or tweaking to do after the end is reached because it's only when the novel is finished that he can see the whole picture.

But there's no right or wrong way in the sense of how to advise anyone how to proceed - either of these categories are regarded as preferable only in the opinion of the follower of each method.

stormie · Mar 19, 2008

I usually start with a general idea and let the story flow. If too many twists and turns start appearing, I then write a synopsis to help guide me.

RJK · Mar 19, 2008

I seem to be with the majority of responses. My first Novel was by the seat of my pants and I found that I needed to plan out several areas, then go back and add plot twists.
On my second novel, I've started the first chapter and I've got general ideas in an outline but I haven't created a detailed outline yet. As the story cooks in my head, I add details to the outline and scenes I want to include later in the story.

Sarita · Mar 19, 2008

I find that if I don't have at least a bit of a plan, editing is a real bear. For me, a little outlining and direction saves loads of work on the second draft.

Sara, who is in editing hell on her second novel despite the best laid plans...

Nightfall · Mar 19, 2008

I find that if I have a sketched out plan of where I need to go I can get the flow to, well, flow.

James81 · Mar 19, 2008

For me, I tend to just flow. But I've discovered that flowing can really allow you to procrastinate.

Scribhneoir · Mar 19, 2008

I flow better when I've got a plan.

mscelina · Mar 19, 2008

whatever it takes to get the words on the page.

Claudia Gray · Mar 19, 2008

Different strokes for different folks. I'm a big planner, though I deviate from my outline when I need to. The same process that gives me fuel and direction might be stifling for someone else, whereas I could never get up the enthusiasm to write anything if I didn't know the ending I was trying to reach.

Shadow_Ferret · Mar 19, 2008

I flow. I have to write now. I can't plan, I can't note take. I have to write. Any other activity that is pseudo-writing, like making an outline, translates inside my brain as "already written" and then I never get past the outline. My brain things it's done and refuses to do anything more on it.

Azure Skye · Mar 19, 2008

Scribhneoir said:
I flow better when I've got a plan.

Me too. My outlines are simple, enough to get me through to the end, but also have a little wiggle room for those unexpected surprises.

Riley · Mar 20, 2008

I think a writer should do some planning. I personally do loads of planning--world-building, character-profiling, story-profiling, outlines, the whole she-bang--because after I've done all that work I'm more likely to go through with what I've planned.

But also, it's a good idea to have at least a vague idea of where you're going and who you're writing about. If you know where you're going, it might be easier to get "unstuck" for when inspiration won't come (which is overrated, anyway). Character profiles help you keep details straight. Some people have great memories, but I personally can never remember who has what hair color, who is shy, who is mean, who had a traumatic childhood, etc.

I've noticed those who fail to plan usually fail to finish. Exceptions are people with super brains. Lucky dogs, you.

matt_the_cook · Mar 20, 2008

I love planning. It's my cure every time I get blocked. A good outline is a wonderful thing. And I find it doesn't force me into a mold. On the contrary my outlines and plans often take my stories into places I'd never imagined.

Riley · Mar 20, 2008

Hey Matt,

I feel the same way you do. I think the only time an outline forces you into a mold is when you rigidly stick to it, refusing to let your story go in an unplanned direction. Same thing with characters. Outlines and profiles are not the last word on a story or person.

Bufty · Mar 20, 2008

Hmmmm. Read that again.

matt_the_cook said:
I love planning. It's my cure every time I get blocked....

Dave.C.Robinson · Mar 20, 2008

Yes.

Some people work better with a plan, some without.

Personally I like at least a basic outline and then I flow within it. I also tend to plot what scenes are needed in each chapter as I finish the previous.

Figure out what works for you.

Constantine K · Mar 20, 2008

I like to stay about 20-40 pages ahead in my mind. One time I wasn't, and somehow ended up with the MC chained to the floor by his wrists with no POSSIBLE way of escaping that made sense.

Of course, I eventually found a way, but it really annoyed me that I could paint myself into a corner like that. I tried to stay one step ahead of myself for the rest of the book.

JacobWorld · Mar 20, 2008

Hi mate

I would say FLOW suits me much better.
If you are a creative person like me, and you like chasing new inventions and ideas. This style though, requires lots of flexibility and creativity . It wont be suitable for everyone .
Most people like their shelves and are afraid of going out of their small safe environment .
My writing is mostly based on non fiction so I have to be very flexible .
The world keeps changing even tomorrow the weather and all circumstances will be different .
Hopefully this covers my idea of Flowing .

Brighid · Mar 21, 2008

I have a basic outline of scenes. The details come when I'm writing. Occasionally, a character will do something that wasn't in the script - that's when I decide whether to go with the flow or make her get back on track.

is it better to plan or to flow

Plan or Flow

Plan

Flow

Mixture

Other (Please specify)

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

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