What's better in fiction writing, a plot outline or free flow writing?
65The quick answer to that is it depends on your story.
Some stories, like a straight-forward action-adventure, can be done without an outline in a manner I like to refer to as "wingin' it." Writing it free-flow and allowing the characters to take over can add depth and complexity to the story that you can't get by writing up an outline and following it religiously.
However, stories with complex plots--like mysteries or political dramas--will often need a basic outline drawn up, even if it's for no reason other than to keep track of where you're going amidst all the twists and turns so you don't get lost.
You'll hear many sides to the argument on whether or not you should outline, from those who say you must outline all the time, to those who say to never outline, and every variation in between. So the question on whether or not to outline depends mainly on what you discover to work best for you. And that only comes by trial and error and experimentation.
For me, I've found that all I usually need is a rough idea and a character, and the rest comes as I write it--whether I'm writing a short story or a novel. But, on the occasions on where I'm stuck, having no idea what should come next, I find that writing a quick basic outline from where I started the story to where it's now at will often get my mind on the necessary track to figure out the next part. When I want to start on a story but am not sure the kind of story I want, I'll sometimes jot down some ideas until something catches my attention enough to do a quick outline on--at which point I have my story and begin writing.
Of course, anywhere from 55%-95% of my original outline never ends up in the story. Sometimes the characters go in a direction I hadn't planned, and sometimes I come up with something better for the story than what was in my outline.
So overall, an outline is a good tool in the writer's arsenal, but only when used for its proper role: as a springboard to get you started on the story so you can develop better ideas along the way, or as a means to get you unstuck.
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Being a wirter myself... i know the feeling of writer's block...I like the idea of creating an outline but with that especially for fiction i follow some steps... because i have found from my experience that if i follow these steps i complete my book on time and i am satisfied with it...
I think it depends completely on the writer. Some use outlines and some don't. You just have to find what works best for you.
I'm with Rebecca. Actually I just posted a hub about my outlining process because so many new writers come to me with "writer's block". Usually it turns out that they've written themself into a corner and don't know what to do.
I listed to Lee Child last year and he said he starts with a basic idea, sits down, writes one draft and it gets published basically as written. Not many of us can do that. In fact, Joe Finder was there and he said he's tried Lee's process and it took him an extra 3 months to write his last book.
As you've guessed, I'm big on outlining and character definition. Maybe I'm neurotic, but it helps me get to where I'm going.
CJ
www.22wb.com
you are so right!! if you have the imagination use, thats what i say. i understand about writer's block but i believe it only comes to people who have not found their personal nich in the writing world. in the beginning i tried writing mysteries, and although i have a very active imagination it just wouldn't come to me. now i write romance and fantasy and it just flows from me without a problem.
I have written myself into a corner many times. After that, the whole thing just dies on me. Actually, that's what prompted my request on the subject.
From what I gather from the comments, it means that I haven't touched on what works best for me yet.
Shirley, I'm not generally one to pimp my hubs on other's hubs, but I wrote a hub on how to finish a first novel that goes into the outline process I use you might be interested in. I personally love having a road map to follow. The thing is that it isn't set in stone (you can always chart a new course if inspiration finds).
For first attempts at novels, I think an outline gives focus, particularly if you spend a lot of time on the storyline. It's pretty daunting to just sit down with a character in mind and have them somehow end up at the end of a novel. To me that's like starting your car in LA, putting on a blind fold, hitting the gas and hoping you end up in New York eventually. I mean, you might, but wow, long odds.
Work out detailed character analysis, life stories for the backgrounds so you know who your characters are (deep knowledge, far beyond what you'll ever say in your story, but so YOU know.) Then put them on a road with events plotted out that will challenge them. Your outline doesn't have to include how they will act or behave, just that XYZ is going to happen to them.
Shirley Anderson says:
2 years ago
Love the idea of just using the outline as a guidance system and motivational tool when you hit a brick wall.
I've come to the conclusion that writing is a customized affair for each author, even when (or maybe especially) it comes to technique.
Thank-you for answering my request, Smsand.
Shirley