Outliner or Pantster?* The Question is Irrelevant

After agonizing for years as to whether I should outline my novels in great detail, or whether I should just sit down and write them, I’ve come to realize that it doesn’t matter; the end result must be the same. It’s only a question of process.

A novel must tell a story. A story, like it or not, has a certain structure.** It must contain certain elements, such as well-developed characters, a protagonist, an antagonist (or antagonistic force), conflict, and resolution. There must be turning poi...