To outline, or not to outline?
I’m a pretty bad writer—both in the techniques used, and the results they yield. I tend to dive into a project without more than a vague idea of where it’s headed, which usually makes things difficult as I go on. Organization just isn’t one of my best qualities.
Surprisingly, such was not the case with my NaNoWriMo novel of two years ago, a fantasy/allegory that’s been under 
construction ever since. Because of the allegorical elements, I always had a clear idea of where it was supposed to be going—the problem came with all the stuff in between “Chapter One” and “The End.” As more and more plotlines and characters came on board, it became more and more difficult to keep things straight in my mind. In the end, it’s almost as difficult to write a story with a clear purpose in mind as it is to write something from nothing.
So at long last, Beth, the stubborn writer, has buckled down and written an outline.
To my knowledge, there’s two types of fiction writers: those who are disciplined enough to place a priority on outlining, to whatever extent that my be, and those who would rather insist that outlining stifles the story and they’re better off without it. (That’s me.)
Firsthand experience: write the outline, and everything will be better.
I don’t know. Maybe there’s brilliant writers out there who can carry an outline in their heads, but I’m not one of them. The purpose isn’t to lay out everything exactly as it will be written; just give yourself a roadmap of how the story develops. Once you’ve got it down, deviating will be easier, because you have the backbone firmly in place and you can backtrack if needed. Be as detailed or as vague as you like (somewhere in between works for me).
So there you have it…confessions of a writer wannabe. (Cherise, you are now entitled to a big “I told you so.“)
Yeah, I don’t necessarily outline, but I do other things to prepare, such as character sketching (the most important part of fiction anyway).
Chris
I know just what you mean! I need to write an outline for the project I’m working on right now… I just don’t want to write one.
I do write character sketches, and that makes things easier.
Out of the Blue:jane
I don’t use outlines. I tried it, I really did. I wrote out a beautiful outline, but it just stopped my writing. I knew what would happen, so I didn’t need to write it…
But I’m glad they work for you!
I don’t really know. I always start out with just straight writing, but I usually never get past the first or second or third chapter. I am really looking forward to the NaNoWriMo this year, because I am hoping it will help me get past chapter three!
Have a very bright, very cheerful day!
Miss Eyebright
Ahhh… I was going to continue the discussion on my blog, but then I lost the post…..
Maybe I’ll try again tomorrow.
~Kylie
Aw, that’s sad, Kylie! You should try again…I’d love to read it!
~Beth
Very interesting! Thanks for posting!
It’s always so wonderful to read the thoughts on writing from other passionate writers. 
Wow its been a long time since I’ve been here!
lol I love your Darwin post!
an this bit was so funny:
*On February 12, 2009, modern-day scientists still praise the man and his work, leaving the rest of us to wonder when “science” became “science fiction.”*
Scaryman
Gah! This is driving me crazy! You have not returned any of my comments or read the story I sent you a good three months ago; you have pretty much ignored the existence of my blog for the last six months until it’s almost suicidal with grief at your abandonment; you have murdered both Fred and my young and innocent self in cold blood and you’ve destroyed your wonderful blog and put this odious object in it’s place. In short, you deserve to be shunned until you beg on your knees for forgiveness.
And yet I just can’t keep myself from commenting! Seeing as I usually have the opposite problem when I actually want to comment this is driving me utterly insane. What have you bewitched this place with, DENT?
Or maybe it’s because I’m so amazingly sweet that I inherently repay your odious behaviour with good deeds.
*coughs like a strangled sheep*
Speaking of which, what I came to say is that I have just realised why we are such good friends. Quite simply, I have all the ego and you have absolutely none of it. I mean, if people actually believed what you’ve told us these last three posts they would conclude that you were a useless debater, a bad writer and an awful musician. *rolls eyes*
I know it’s polite to be humble and all, but seriously? You’re an amazing musician, and according to accounts I’ve heard you’re hardly an epic failure in the debating sphere. And don’t even get me started on the writing. When you have even Mariella herself tell you that your writing is brilliant and she wishes she could write just like you… well, you can hardly get many greater compliments than that, can you? If you got your attitude out of the gutter and stopped thinking everything you wrote was trash you could go amazing places with talent like you have.
How long do I need to go on? If I didn’t know you better I’d find your low opinion of your own talents so incredible that I’d suspect you of fishing for compliments.
I propose you stand in front of the mirror for at least ten minutes each morning and list (aloud) in minute detail all the ways in which you are wonderful and brilliant and talented. I think it’d do you good.
I dare you.