Mar
The Power of the Outline: Creativity and Planning Mesh When Writing A Novel
It can be tough for me, and other writers, to stay on task and stay on target over the short life of a freelance project, or even over a single day. Tangents beckon, and distractions taunt, and the overarching project goals and needs can get lost along the way.
So how can a writer possibly stay on track over the long slog of writing a novel?
This post is about the power of an outline for the book writing process. It’s nothing new. It’s nothing revolutionary. But for many writers, it’s an alien and terrifying process. Aren’t we supposed to just let the words flow? Let the muse move through us, let the creativity work its will, let characters do their own bidding and plots develop on their own?
Maybe that works for some writers. There’s always the legend of the Jack Kerouac types, writing masterpieces in three-week (speed-fueled) writing binges. And there are many more writers, published and unpublished, that insist outlining and other planning is antithetical to the whole creative process, a direct threat to the free flow of genius.
That theory is, in a word, shite (“shit” pronounced with the full brogue – a delicious twist on an otherwise boring cuss word).
The issue here is the seeming disconnect between creativity and organization. Creativity can’t be corralled, and writing can’t be put to the rigors of plotting and planning, goes this theory. In actuality, creativity can flourish when you put some thought into it, when you brainstorm and toss out bad ideas, and hone the good ones. Creativity is not a finite thing, and writing can be infinitely improved with planning, crappy first drafts, and lots of revision.
This means an outline is key to writing a good novel. Making an outline forces you to think your plot, characters, and subplots through. It encourages your mind to travel in exciting new directions, and to think through the ramifications of each idea. An outline gives you a road map, an “X marks the spot” to guide you when you get lost or distracted over time (it happens – my novel took over four years to write, four years of missteps and misdirection). An outline gives a path for you to follow, but also a tether – while you let your creativity run wild in certain scenes and descriptions, you still have your plan that brings it all together.
What does an effective outline look like? What is an outline not? We’ll examine outline details and tips in next week’s publishing post. Til then, remember – outlines aren’t restrictions, and they’re not creativity mashers. They’re what you make of them, just like any good writing tool.
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Hi Amy:
As usual, I find your blogs life-affirming and helpful. Interesting side note: I’m studying for my accreditation in public relations. One of the books I’m reading notes that, contrary to popular belief, research and planning aids the creative process and gives pr/marcom types a leg-up on the competition. So, writers free yourself of this misplaced guilt and make your English teachers proud! Use an outline!
Sherree
March 26th, 2008 at 4:00 pmSherree - aw shucks, thanks
And sweet - there’s proof for the happy marriage of creativity and organization!
March 26th, 2008 at 9:47 pmHey Amy,
March 27th, 2008 at 6:38 pmYou are a testament to the need of an outline and so am I. I am writing a novel that has been in my head for twenty years. When I began writing, I wrote about my character as a child and I even placed her in a city that had nothing to do with my main story. I have no regrets. Who knows? Maybe I’ll even use all that writing someday. I finally hired a coach who has helped me figure out the theme to my story and I made two outlines. Now, I am only writing chapters that fit my theme. I still may have to throw some stuff out, but hopefully it will be small compared to what I have already thrown out.
To all you beginners out there, pay attention to Amy. An outline should help you use your creativity where you need it: in the story that you want to get published; not in the garbage bin.
Sherpeace: Thanks so much for sharing your experience with and without outlines. And great outlook - you never waste writing. I’m glad a coach has been helpful, and you’re finding a new rhythm. Best of luck as you keep working!
March 27th, 2008 at 9:06 pmFirst, thanks for the clever link. You’ve managed to capture two of the many themes of my site in three powerful words placed within the context of paragraph. I marvel at your talent, and not merely because it linked to me. The reason I come back everyday is because I’m interested not only in what you’re going to say, but how you’re going to say it. The reason why you’re a successful freelance writer is manifest in these posts.
I’m a huge fan of outlines or mindmaps following braintornados. Not having them is like having to write the story from scratch every time you sit down, whereas having them is like merely filling in the details. The difference between writing a story anew every time and filling in details is everything when one’s fighting insecurities, block, and the many other demons we writers conjure to keep us from working.
Awesome post, Amy.
March 28th, 2008 at 4:46 amJust Write Blog Carnival (April 11, 2008 Edition)
Welcome to the April 11, 2008 edition of Just Write. There are some fantastic submissions this week; I encourage you to pay particular attention to Kathryn at Real Words, Amy’s post about Selling Mysterious Fiction and Kerrie’s R…
April 11th, 2008 at 6:05 am