From the mailbag: Hannah writes: I’ve been writing a novel and have been stuck for weeks. That’s my pattern: I write a little, get stuck, have a breakthrough, write again, etc. It often feels like torture. I’m wondering if you also have this problem and if you’ve found a way to overcome it. I’ve read that it’s a good idea to start with an outline, but doesn’t that work better for non-fiction? For fiction, it seems like it would clash with letting my story tell itself.
Dear Hannah, there are writers out there who feel they work best without an outline so as not to “inhibit the flow of their muse.” But they’re in the teeny tiny minority. Almost all writers would tell you that sitting down to write a book without an outline is a little like trying to build a three-story house without a blueprint. You can do it, but the the cost in mistakes and time wasted may be substantial.
Most writers work from a chapter list and outline to help keep themselves on track. Writers who don’t, have a tendency to wander and ramble, and leave gaping holes or jarring contradictions in the plot and character development. It’s usually not a pretty sight. Working from an outline also helps solve two of the major challenges that face beginning writers: 1.) the ability to overcome writer’s block. If you have a general idea of where you’re supposed to be taking the story next, it’s harder to get stuck. And 2.) the ability to not only start but to finish a complete work. Lots of writers get excited by the initial idea but then lose their way, don’t know how to get back on track (because they don’t have an outline), and give up.
It seems that you may be viewing an outline as something other than it’s intended purpose. The point of an outline is not to cement anything in stone. Rather, it’s to help you get all the pieces of the story organized on paper, so you have an idea of where you’re going and how you’re going to get there. That doesn’t mean you can’t take detours or even set a new route. It just means that you’re starting with a rough idea of the complete story (which still leaves plenty of room for the muse to whisper in your ear). It’s a flexible tool that can be changed as much as needed until you’re happy with it. The point is that nobody has a finished book flow from their pen on the first go.
As long as we’re on the subject, not only outlines, but rewrites are all just part of the writing process. As for rewrites, I find it helps to think about that process as no different than making mudpies. No kid worth their salt goes out, makes one mudpie, and says they’re done — no room to improve on that perfection. All kids like to see how many different mudpies they can make. And to see how dirty they can get.
First, get the right ingredients in order. And then loosen up, get free — and get dirty.
Here’s some recommended reading that you might find helpful.
Plot & Structure: (Techniques And Exercises For Crafting A Plot That Grips Readers From Start To Finish) (Write Great Fiction) by James Scott Bell
Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print by Rennie Browne
Thanks for the advice! I’m a little more than halfway through my book, and didn’t make an outline to begin with. Now I realize that I should have done from the beginning, as I’m now playing “catch-up,” in a sense, for the rest of the story. I have a definite idea for the storyline, but as you indicate, some of the details need to be ironed out before I can move forward, in some cases. And there is one gaping hole that needs to be filled – a pretty important one, actually! Next time, I’ll definitely do an outline before I begin. In any case, it’s an exciting adventure!
I love when a book takes you from place to place, and sometimes it seems I’m just along for the ride. That can always be satisfying, too.
Ophelia Rising’s last blog post..my beautiful girl
Great ideas…food for thought right now. Happy Independence Day by the way!
Mary Alice’s last blog post..20 Years
Lynn, in the end, it is whatever works. And it sounds like you’ve found what works for you.
Kate, glad I could be of help. No hay de qué
this is exactly, precisely what i need right now. so, gracias. muchas.
kate’s last blog post..the things i am needing to be telling him (that totally sounded indian, right?)
I’ve tried to outline, but have never had success. I just wait to see where the characters and story take me — works for me, but I know outlining is essential to many writers.
Hannah, it’s really a lot easier than what we had to do in High School. Rather than think of doing an outline, think of doing brief chapter summaries that just capture the gist of what you want to get down in each chapter. The main thing is to make sure you’ve thought through the whole story.
Prof. J Thanks for the thumbs up. It is funny how thoughts seem to be floating around like that.
Great advice! I was just talking about this issue with a friend. . . funny how thoughts seem to just be alive all over at certain times.
Prof. J’s last blog post..Exercising Update
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I never got the hang of outlining in high school, I just winged that section. Sounds like I better dust off my old English notes.
Hannah, I feel your pain. I skipped those classes too. Ugh! :)