the problem with outlines and word quotas (and why they sometimes might lead to sucky writing)

1

I believe in outlines. Except when I don't.

I believe in daily word quotas. Except when I don't.

What I do believe in is encountering the work, which an outline can prevent you from doing.

2

Last week I was struggling with a scene in my novel-in-progress (THE DECADENTS). I had it in outline and knew what was going to happen. Two of my major characters are at the start of an uneasy attraction that will take them in a dark (and supernatural) direction. The man makes a proposition to the...