Writing Craft
Gardener vs. Architect: George R. R. Martin on the two types of writers (S01E02)
youtube.comAnother way to explain plotters vs pantsers
On discovery writing
Imagine if every novel you picked up had a detailed outline of the entire plot, including the ending, right at the start. Would you read the novel after reading the outline? Chances are, no. What would be the point? You already know the journey the writer is going to take you on. So as a writer, why do an outline and then have to spend all that tim
... See moreDean Wesley Smith • Writing into the Dark: How to Write a Novel without an Outline (WMG Writer's Guides)
Reverse Outlines: “Finding” your story during revisions — Chelsea Abdullah
Chelsea Abdullahchelseaabdullah.com
It is important, though, to understand outlining not as the preparation of writing or even as planning, but as a separate task we need to return to throughout the writing process on a regular basis. We need a structure all the time, but as we work our way bottom-up, it is bound to change often. And whenever we need to update the structure, we need
... See moreSönke Ahrens • How to Take Smart Notes: One Simple Technique to Boost Writing, Learning and Thinking – for Students, Academics and Nonfiction Book Writers
The point I’m trying to make here is that when you let your characters make their own choices, they become real people who can tell you where they need to go. By making your character’s decisions and needs part of your plot right from the beginning, treating them as active participants in the novel rather than passengers on a rollercoaster to the c
... See moreRachel Aaron • 2k to 10k: Writing Faster, Writing Better, and Writing More of What You Love
When I have a chapter finished, I jot down who the viewpoint characters are, what they are wearing, what happened in the chapter. So as I go along, I outline each book as I write it. I never outline ahead of the writing, but after the writing is done. That keeps the creative side of my brain in control of the writing. And the real reason I do that
... See moreDean Wesley Smith • Writing into the Dark: How to Write a Novel without an Outline (WMG Writer's Guides)
reverse outlining
Most writers are not entirely intuitive or structured. Most of us have parts of both in our approach to fiction.