Is it better to outline your novel first, or just to start writing?

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   Plexianaposted 8 years ago

   Is it better to outline your novel first, or just to start writing?

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   PGupta0919posted 8 years ago

   It is definitely wise to have it all planned and maybe have a structure before starting. It helps you to stay on the path, and you know exactly what to do and write.

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      Plexianaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your answer, I am beginning to see the value in having an outline (I've not used one previously)

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   tsmogposted 8 years ago

   So far the authors of novels I have read and listened to on TV say to outline your book / novel. But, that does not speak to first. I have found with some short stories I have written an idea comes to mind, I explore it, and write that portion. Then, I go back and outline.

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      Plexianaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      That's the way I was going to go, but I recently read an article that says not to write using an outline? So I've been curious how other people do it.

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   tomsmithnowposted 8 years ago

   I think it is probably a good idea to have an outline or you could just start writing it out, and then put it in order that makes the most sense. That is how I normally write my articles, from notes that I have written down. Different things work better for different people. Whatever you think helps you the most is the way to go. Good luck writing your novel!

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      Plexianaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks so much, I typically don't use an outline, but I am contemplating it this time. I think it might keep my thoughts inline with what I want!

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   B. Leekleyposted 8 years ago

   Many movie script writers (my brother John for instance) and many novelists begin with a "logline". That is the story distilled into one or two sentences that says who confronts what conflict. The logline will show you, and any producer or publisher to whom you pitch it, if your idea can be developed into a story of compelling interest. As you write the novel or script, keeping the logline in mind will help you to focus on what is the story and to leave out what is not.
   
   Here, from the imdb website, is the logline for the remake of THE BEGUILED, which originally starred Clint Eastwood: "At a girls' school in Virginia during the Civil War, where the young women have been sheltered from the outside world, a wounded Union soldier is taken in. Soon, the house is taken over with sexual tension, rivalries, and an unexpected turn of events."
   
   And here is the TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD logline: "Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the Depression-era South, defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge, and his children against prejudice." The movie was adapted from a novel.
   
   Once you have that seedling of a novel, you can guide its growth and development using such tools as summarizing, outlining, mind-mapping, timelining, and so on.
   
   If your heart, intuition, and imagination pull you in a different direction, change the logline and the outline.
   
   My favorite outlining software is Workflowy.

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