To Outline or Not to Outline

sjauhar · Post by **sjauhar** » 24 Mar 2015, 19:10

Khudecek,

Thanks so much! I have often wondered why people trust everything that they read on Wiki...I think it's a useful tool when wanting to get some basic ideas about a period or event, but it really does help to do actual research. Sounds like from what I've read here on these posts, I need to approach it a bit like doing my Thesis.....tons of research into historical events or facts and then see what will work and what won't. I know where to find stuff like fashion or events, but does anyone know of a good way to check on the accuracy of things like toothpaste, etc. It's always bugged me when I read a historical fiction book and they mention washing one's hair in 1400s Scotland (like on a daily basis). Or wearing makeup (which isn't what we think of in modern terms). That's always been a hard part for me to research, but I'd like to stick around 18th-19th Century (the 1400s was just an example).

Cee-Jay Aurinko · Post by **Cee-Jay Aurinko** » 04 Apr 2015, 14:19

If you have ten years to finish your book, by all means outline all you want. Me, I'm totally against outlining. It is a waste of time, and tends to confuse you rather than get you going. Write your novel. Let the characters and worlds you vomit out of fingers shape you book as quickly as possible. You can always edit and incorporate the facts later. But first, get your novel done in its embryonic stage, then take it from there.

DrummerDancer · Post by **DrummerDancer** » 05 Apr 2015, 16:49

I've tried outlining in the past and found it stills my creativity. I think they're a good idea in practice, but for myself, they tend to be detrimental. Whatever works for you though!

RussetDivinity · Post by **RussetDivinity** » 05 Apr 2015, 19:44

I'm kind of in between. I don't lay out all the little details on paper, but I do like to know what will happen in each chapter, otherwise I find myself wrapping up subplots too quickly and having to rush others.

khudecek · Post by **khudecek** » 06 Apr 2015, 07:35

As a fortunate winner to the writing contest held here in January and my subsequent publishing in Holding Fire, I have to say that I did do the bubble method for this story, which is a form of outlining. I'm glad I did because it kept me on track and I didn't wander too often. As a general rule, I don't outline. I just let the thoughts pour out of my head. I have to wonder if the bubbling was instrumental in getting a spot in this book, though and if it did make a difference, it might be better for me to do this more often.

mfontneaux · Post by **mfontneaux** » 10 Apr 2015, 09:20

I outline my nonfiction, but sometimes I fly by the seat of my pants for fiction. Of course, I publish my nonfiction. My fiction...not so much. I don't have as much confidence in my stories as I do in my nonfiction work, even though it, too, contains some storytelling.

My outlines, both fiction and nonfiction, start with a list of questions I want the book to answer. In nonfiction, I try to get at least 50 questions (my books are meant to be short, fast reads). For fiction, I shoot for 10+ questions per chapter. Then, I answer the questions in as much detail as I can to flesh out the story. I rearrange bits to get the flow right. Then I start writing.

The great part is that I don't have to write in a linear fashion. I can pick any question/section, and write it because it catches my fancy.

All that said, every writer is different. Like another person mentioned, you have to experiment and find out what works for you. Then refine it and keep plugging away.

Booklover93 · Post by **Booklover93** » 15 Apr 2015, 00:03

I know that I simply HAVE to outline my thoughts and plans before diving into writing the actual first draft of a manuscript (as opposed to jotting down ideas here and there in notebooks and such). I also usually write as much background information for myself as I can and try to completely engross myself in the idea I am working on so that I can best represent it. Everyone has his/her different methods and preferences, though.

MissMaro · Post by **MissMaro** » 15 Apr 2015, 15:34

I usually only have a vague outline to start (I know major events that have to happen and how the story will end) and then after I have the first draft I go back and make things more specific, adding and removing scenes as needed. Maybe it would be helpful to outline in greater depth for a lot of people, but when I've tried, it just stalls me.

apanxx · Post by **apanxx** » 15 Apr 2015, 15:49

outlining turns out to be useless since the characters too often just don't want to go that way... i feel like i get further if i don't plan at all sometimes, but the problem with that is how easily you get stuck in the middle of the plot and don't know how to carry on the story...

khudecek · Post by **khudecek** » 16 Apr 2015, 05:18

apanxx wrote:outlining turns out to be useless since the characters too often just don't want to go that way... i feel like i get further if i don't plan at all sometimes, but the problem with that is how easily you get stuck in the middle of the plot and don't know how to carry on the story...

That's where I'm at right now, only on a different level.

My son and I were going through some boxes a couple of months ago and stumbled upon this manuscript that I'd written 18 years ago. I'd forgotten about it, didn't remember even writing it even though it's 254 pages and decided to rewrite it. My writing has evolved over the past 18 years and I don't like how this ended. So, I'm stuck and have been for the last couple of weeks.

Maybe if I'd had an outline, things would be different, I don't know. It's already written, though so I imagine trying to outline or bubble at this point would be like closing the barn door after the horse is out.

xshbells · Post by **xshbells** » 20 Apr 2015, 03:20

Outlining is not for everyone, but it does give more structure. If you really feel outlining only holds you back, consider outlining in prefaces and such.

Morgan Jones · Post by **Morgan Jones** » 13 Jun 2018, 22:17

It depends on your style and way of thinking. I for one prefer to let the story flow within the limits of my general idea of the chapter. I never follow my outlines, but I know many amazing authors who need to outline in order to write quicker. It really depends on whatever comes naturally to you.

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 14 Jun 2018, 11:38

It is better to have the outline in your mind because if you let the story to flow freely, the quality you expected initially, and the ending might differ. It may be even dissapointing to you

PlanetHauth · Post by **PlanetHauth** » 16 Jun 2018, 00:29

I think it depends on you. In middle and high school, I was taught to outline my essays before I ever started even researching my topic. However, I really struggled with outlining, because I do better gathering my research together and just writing. I write out my essays, stories, etc. by hand on paper, then I edit as I go, placing notes in the margins on how to better it. Once I've written out a full rough draft, I type the draft and edit as I go using the notes I've made, and changing what I feel needs to be changed. I just can't sit down and think out a piece of writing from beginning to end (even just broad points) to put into an outline. It's not how my thought process goes.

Monet_va · Post by **Monet_va** » 07 Jul 2019, 13:02

I don't think it's necessary to outline every part of a novel, but outlining the main points in the novel and having a clear idea of the ending is very important. I have a main goal outlined for each chapter, but from there on, I let the story flow as it will and let the characters take control.