Writing into the Dark: How to Write a Novel without an Outli...

Writing into the Dark: How to Write a Novel without an Outline (WMG Writer's Guides)

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That way, at a glance you can see the novel on a single piece of paper beside your computer. You can see what characters were wearing. And where they ended up in their last scene.

Dean Wesley Smith • Writing into the Dark: How to Write a Novel without an Outline (WMG Writer's Guides)

But instead of doing that, just outline as you go. Write into the dark and outline what you have done.

Dean Wesley Smith • Writing into the Dark: How to Write a Novel without an Outline (WMG Writer's Guides)

Just write one more sentence. You can do it. Then write one more sentence. Repeat. You know the drill. It really does work.

Dean Wesley Smith • Writing into the Dark: How to Write a Novel without an Outline (WMG Writer's Guides)

that follows logically through the character from the previous sentence. And repeat until you find the end of the story.

Dean Wesley Smith • Writing into the Dark: How to Write a Novel without an Outline (WMG Writer's Guides)

Just write the next sentence

Dean Wesley Smith • Writing into the Dark: How to Write a Novel without an Outline (WMG Writer's Guides)

Write the next sentence. And then write the next sentence. I am not kidding. It really is that simple.

Dean Wesley Smith • Writing into the Dark: How to Write a Novel without an Outline (WMG Writer's Guides)

ten pages. Period. Thirty days later I had finished an 80,000-word novel. My first written novel. The next day, I started into a second novel, doing ten pages a day again. I powered my way through the need, the belief, the fear of doing a novel the way it “should” be done. And never ever had that fear again. I had other fears, sure, but not that