Did you outline/plan your novel?

by Adrian Sroka
14th January 2014

How did you devise your storyline and plot? Did you work to a template with ready-made characters and working chapter titles, or did you just write.

Replies

Probably unlike a lot of writers, I really enjoy the planning stage i.e. character descriptions, locations, even down to what vehicle someone will drive. I probably spend far too much time on these details but it helps me with the writing process. One of my writing tutors once told me that you should know your characters so well that you could say where they bought their last pair of shoes or what perfume they choose to wear!

If you develop your characters well enough it will help you work out what they would do in any given situation, after all, a story without well developed characters will (for me) always seem a little weak.

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Mark J
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Mark J Braybrook
19/01/2014

I just started to write, I did some planning. But I didn't know what the ending would be like until I got there.

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A.L
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A.L Star
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Early works were always seat of your pants writing as I couldn't wait to get the words down. Now, I've calmed down a bit and try to plan. It makes life easier if the storyline is complicated - gives you a chance to understand what you're writing about.

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Liz
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