Writing into the Dark: How to Write a Novel without an Outline

by Dean Wesley Smith

the goal of the critical voice is to stop you.

Catch it, acknowledge it and let it flow pass.

Truth: When you are writing new words, you are never wasting your time.

Imagine walking up to some poor kid who is practicing a musical instrument and telling that kid he is wasting his time by practicing. He needs to only play concerts or nothing at all.

As writers, we are all excited as we get started into a novel. The characters are fun and new, the promise of the novel is like a shining star, the words are all golden, the story flowing like a perfect stream, everything is just powering along. Then you hit that one-third spot.

stay inside the character’s heads and keep writing.

stay with the characters and stay in their heads and write the next sentence.

Honor your creative voice.