Helen L. Lowe
This is a tricky one. In the past, when I used to write novels (I have 4 novels that haven't been published yet) I didn't used to plan or use an outline. I would write off the cuff (known at 'pantsing' or 'by the seat of your pants').
This unfortunately led to frequent bouts of writer's block. I've tried various methods of planning and outlining. But what I've discovered works best me for, is writing quite a detailed outline, using scenes like you would have in a film. I find this prevents any moments of uncertainty spiralling into complete writer's block. And although I have a detailed outline, I still allow myself to deviate from it whenever a character wants to go off at a tangent. If the new direction doesn't work out, I can always go back to my outline.
This unfortunately led to frequent bouts of writer's block. I've tried various methods of planning and outlining. But what I've discovered works best me for, is writing quite a detailed outline, using scenes like you would have in a film. I find this prevents any moments of uncertainty spiralling into complete writer's block. And although I have a detailed outline, I still allow myself to deviate from it whenever a character wants to go off at a tangent. If the new direction doesn't work out, I can always go back to my outline.
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