The (Almost) Joys of Planned Writing

There is a freedom and zest, to writing purposefully (or thinking about writing purposefully), with a plan and a plotted story. You are no longer subject to the soul-crushing vagaries of the muse. You take back your own mind and your writing career. You feel more in control.

However, for me, that produces a different type of book. A certain kind of story – the special kind – is still going to be subject purely to inspiration. To the unfathomable recesses of the mind slowly distilling its highe...