When I started my novel that I am working on still, I was what writers call a seat-of-the-pants writer. This means that we sit down at the computer and start writing without knowing where the story is going to go and we write as the story comes to us. No outline whatsoever. Well, that started to change when I got further and further into the story. I was wondering constantly where the story was going to go. I had a good idea of what was going to happen in it, but that didn’t help. I was so busy writing and focusing on that, that I kept on forgetting that I had the idea in my head. I got frustrated and totally lost the idea. I then stopped for a couple of weeks on the book and decided to write an outline.
I wrote the outline and stared at it thinking, Wow! This is going to be great! I now have that outline taped on my wall in front of my desk to remind me that everything is set up and I don’t have to worry about it. All I had to do is let the creative juices flow. Now I am always taking quick glances at the outline while I write. One quick look gives me a whole new boost of energy, excitement and passion for the story I am writing.
So, always outline. ALWAYS!!!
Evan W.S. Morgan 