So this is a very touchy topic with many Writers out there…Do you need to spend a long time laying out your whole story idea in an outline? Making sure to come up with all the plot points, settings, characters, or just a generalized idea of where to take your novel. The truth is…I don’t outline anything to start. That’s right…this crazy blog writer/future published author is telling you that you can write without an outline. Maybe I am a little unique in the writing world, or maybe there are many more of you out there.
Whatever the case may be, to be honest I am big on notes, I just write a page of ideas as I get them and incorporate as I see fit. For example…
Mary gets into an accident (start at the beginning).
The nurse had deep voice, cold hands, wandering look, he looked out of place.
Make sure to point out how small (find better word for small) the hospital was.
She finds out the nurse, really helped cause the accident and wasn’t a nurse after all.
Massive lightning storm one day.
Point out that she’s allergic to peanuts.
Obviously that’s just a rough idea of how I keep notes but it works for me. Technically, I keep notes from small details I think of for the scene I’m working on, to major plot points in the story. Outlining is more of a preference than a requirement to writing. Some may disagree and argue till they are blue in the face that you MUST do an outline. I’m sorry but those people are wrong. It is YOUR choice to discover what works best for you.
Now, after the rough draft and when I’ve used up and checked all the notes off my list that have been added along the way (That’s right I do make sure to check off each one as I use it to keep track), I do set up tables to keep track of characters, vehicles, settings, important plot points, and do a timeline (I will write more about all those later on). But all of those pages of details, come after that rough draft, on my next read through. As you all know there will be many read through’s and edits for a single novel but that helps you keep track for the future ones.
I simply believe that during your first draft you should make it as easy as possible on yourself. Meaning, don’t over complicate what your doing, just write. If you come up with an idea for a later scene in the novel make a note and get back to writing. It is hard enough to transcribe the story in your brain to paper in just the right words, so don’t stress over trying to do the outline and have it figured out before you even write a single word. At least for me I get some of my best ideas while I’m writing. Let your words take you where you need to go. You may hear some writers talk about how their characters have a mind of their own, well that’s just the ideas flowing as the scene takes place in your head. Let your creative juices flow, and smile while you do it because ultimately we write because we love it.
Basically….To Outline or not to outline?….It’s up to you but don’t stress over it. If you feel better typing up that detailed outline then do it, if not than just start writing that first sentence and more will follow soon enough. Your first draft will be the most enjoyable time you spend with your novel (except for when you finally get it published, I’m assuming) because each edit and read through thereafter can become a daunting task at times. So just enjoy that simple unfiltered creativity while writing your first draft and smile. Creating, then seeing your idea on paper for the first time is a feeling that’s both indescribable and yet scary. Especially when you think of your brain child now being vulnerable to spell checks, timelines, edits and many pages of outlines in the future. So give yourself that honeymoon time with your novel to enjoy the raw potential of your creation.
Thank you for reading my blog, stay tuned and until then, JUST KEEP WRITING.
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Tiffany’s Writing Journey 