Writing Process: To Outline or Not to Outline

[Nicole]

Writing process. Ask two authors what their writing process is, and you'll get two completely different answers. It's kind-of like finding the right bra, the chances are what fits you won't fit me. That said, I'm always happy to share what my process is, and am just as happy to hear what someone else's writing process is. I’ll be spearheading a few areas pertaining to this very topic the next few weeks in hopes of getting some good conversations started. So please, jump in and share your wisdom with us!

First off, there's an invisible line drawn in the writing world. On one side, you'll find the outliners, on the other side you'll find the FBTSOYP'ers (fly by the seat of your pants!). Few are brave enough to straddle that line. I'm one of them.

When I'm getting ready to write a novel, I like to sketch down a few pages of notes regarding scenes, character development, and any stand-out dialogue that runs through my head at the time. Once that's done, I let my characters off the leash and hope they get themselves into trouble. BIG trouble. I treat my characters like real people, and I believe real people are so much happier (not to mention more exciting) when they embrace the motto, “going wherever the wind takes me”. Of course, if I didn't give my characters some parameters, they'd end up with no direction, wandering the streets alone, and probably end up in some sort of rehab . . . and I don't write those kinds of books (not yet, anyways!). So if I were to break it down by percentage, I’m probably thirty percent outliner, and seventy percent FBTSOYP’er. So maybe I don’t straddle that line as much as I’d like to think I do . . .

What are your thoughts on this? Do you lean towards one or the other? Which one do you have the greatest success with?

[Claudia]

Hey Nicole! I'm pretty much the same way. I jot a few ideas and a quick list then I just let loose and let my characters do the talking :)

Usually my first "draft" is my outline, then I go back and edit as things/ideas/plots change. I probably spend a lot more time writing because of this, but it seems to work for me. The only good thing is that when I'm done, it ends up looking more like a final draft than a first.

I'm looking forward to seeing how others write! Thanks for hosting this group :)

[Nicole]

Claudia wrote: "Hey Nicole! I'm pretty much the same way. I jot a few ideas and a quick list then I just let loose and let my characters do the talking :)

Usually my first "draft" is my outline, then I go back ..."

Thanks for sharing, Claudia! I really love your new "office space", I've been meaning to get a new one for myself! I've added The Fury to my to-read list, great cover and I was intrigued by your blurb!

[Amber]

Hi Nicole! I'd have to say I am a total panster. I usually have the ending mapped out in my mind, but I write as I go. I really don't think that I could even produce a outline.

I am also a compulsive editor. Before I am able to jump back into writing on my WIP, I need to go back and review my work from the night before. This helps me to iron out any plot issues, and also re-immerse myself into the story.

Not sure if this is a normal procedure, but it's what works for me.

Thanks for hosting! Can't wait to see how others respond.

[Shari]

I've had trouble with a few writing techniques recently that involve creating rather indepth outlines. I have a few great outlines created but once they were done I lost the love of writing them...they'd become too cold and lifeless. I'm glad to see the fly by the seat of your pants method works well too. My mind keeps telling me to just let the characters tell me the story, so I'll go with that. The "seat of your pants" style is rather compatable with my non-conformist personality.

[Claudia]

Nicole - Thanks on both counts. And it goes without saying that I'm looking forward to book 2!

Amber - I liked your explanation a lot better mine, as that's basically what I do. Apparently, constant editing is "bad" (although for the life me I can't understand why), but I like having an almost finished product when it's all said and done.

[Amber]

Claudia- I really don't think anyone has the right to say what is bad or good in writing. I say do what works for you and create the best story possible. I mean when someone reads your book, do they care about what process you used to write it. I think not!

So go Compulsive Editors!!

[Claudia]

Amber - I couldn't agree more!

[Nicole]

Agreed, Amber. There are many roads that lead down the path towards an amazing novel!

Thanks for everyone's input so far, I love seeing the different ways writer's attack a manuscript.

[Books to the Sky]

While I haven't written anything fictional, I have been keeping a journal (and now a personal blog) for a long time.

Whenever I sit down to write, I find I just write whatever comes to mind and then later go back and edit it. Sometimes I makes a crapload of revisions before I feel like it's right. But that's why I love typing out my thoughts as opposed to hand writing them down, because the backspace key is my best friend.

[Nicole]

Books to the Sky wrote: "While I haven't written anything fictional, I have been keeping a journal (and now a personal blog) for a long time.

Whenever I sit down to write, I find I just write whatever comes to mind and th..."

I do the same thing! My first drafts can be so disjointed and random at times, I would be mortified if anyone ever read them. But when things are flowing, I don't pull back knowing I can come back and edit later.