tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post6455815966667714736..comments2023-11-30T07:21:38.040-08:00Comments on Writers in Residence: To Outline or Not to Outline...Is That the Question?BonnieShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12642142065722406733noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-52393341834717676672015-02-13T09:01:59.954-08:002015-02-13T09:01:59.954-08:00My interviews with authors of all genres have show...My interviews with authors of all genres have shown that the more complicated the storyline, the greater the need for a system to keep everything in place. Mysteries and political thrillers as well as books with multiple story lines or an extensive cast of characters fall into that category. Haven't we all caught a cousin on page 12 turn into an uncle on page 97?Miko Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02877203657513631557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-70001633128764308452015-02-13T08:51:40.898-08:002015-02-13T08:51:40.898-08:00Thanks Terry. It's a subject we writers always...Thanks Terry. It's a subject we writers always think about, which is what inspired me to write this post.Miko Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02877203657513631557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-33576615349715279162015-02-12T15:17:19.662-08:002015-02-12T15:17:19.662-08:00Miko Johnston - Best post I've read on this ag...Miko Johnston - Best post I've read on this age-old debate. Oh, this is Terry K Carr. I am not anonymous, only here, where I couldn't figure out how to post the other way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-87910914581455475272015-02-12T11:42:37.458-08:002015-02-12T11:42:37.458-08:00I have read a few mysteries where some of the loos...I have read a few mysteries where some of the loose ends were still loose when I finished the book. Keeping either an outline or time line might eliminate some of those oversights. GBPoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12190573764848658894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-25490383420044205682015-02-12T09:25:41.989-08:002015-02-12T09:25:41.989-08:00That's the great thing about finding your own ...That's the great thing about finding your own system - it doesn't matter what you do as long as it works for you. But I wonder if more structure is needed with certain genres, like mysteries. What do you think?Miko Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02877203657513631557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-29753860422530708832015-02-12T09:20:00.993-08:002015-02-12T09:20:00.993-08:00You're right about flexibility being the key. ...You're right about flexibility being the key. Many writers like to adapt their storyline as they write, for often our first idea is not our best.Miko Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02877203657513631557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-88868299079835806112015-02-12T08:27:13.602-08:002015-02-12T08:27:13.602-08:00I think you have a much more organized mind than I...I think you have a much more organized mind than I have!Jacqueline Vickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17066655287551999883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-65596905347992390882015-02-12T08:26:16.151-08:002015-02-12T08:26:16.151-08:00I find the structure of the outline actually helps...I find the structure of the outline actually helps me to be more creative. Once everything is there in the outline, if something arises organically, I have a better handle on the impact those changes will have throughout the story. It's kind of like making a clay pot on a wheel. I have to have the lump of clay there before I can start shaping it. :) Jacqueline Vickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17066655287551999883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-38401326926004030712015-02-11T20:25:43.592-08:002015-02-11T20:25:43.592-08:00I used to have this fine fantasy of me sitting at ...I used to have this fine fantasy of me sitting at my typewriter (this was a long time ago) tapping out the Great American Novel the first time around. When I actually tried it, I got about five pages into it and hit a wall. Now what? That's why a sort-of plan helps me along, but the trick is to not become a slave to your initial storyline. So interesting to read of others' techniques, Miko. Thanks for this well-researched post.BonnieShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12642142065722406733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-18763777922657845792015-02-11T16:58:24.411-08:002015-02-11T16:58:24.411-08:00Thanks, Paul. It shows there's no right or wro...Thanks, Paul. It shows there's no right or wrong way to write. Use whatever system works for you. Miko Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02877203657513631557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-22486475523133089772015-02-11T15:36:50.598-08:002015-02-11T15:36:50.598-08:00Miko, this is a very thoughtful post. It I could w...Miko, this is a very thoughtful post. It I could write by the seat of my pants, I would but I need a guide. I use a couple of adapted screenwriting techniques that have worked for me. I do a rough three act outline with plot points before I start in. As many as I know at the beginning. For the latest installment in my Lovers and Liars gay historical romance, I've also written a ten page treatment that I hope to follow as much as I can. At least until the characters tell me what they will and won't do. That's the fun part. Amazing how differently writers approach the process. Great post. Paulmindprinterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01874142522106185186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-77062778909924468642015-02-11T09:50:43.788-08:002015-02-11T09:50:43.788-08:00Your approach is similar to other writers who have...Your approach is similar to other writers who have series with established characters, relationships, and locales. It provides a structure of sorts, don't you think? Miko Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02877203657513631557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-10069021724191287602015-02-11T09:40:06.940-08:002015-02-11T09:40:06.940-08:00So do many of the writers I interviewed for this p...So do many of the writers I interviewed for this post, including me. While writing the second novel in my "Petal In The Wind" trilogy, two characters defied my attempts to keep them apart. Now the series will require four books to complete.Miko Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02877203657513631557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-88910748031756988552015-02-11T09:39:19.675-08:002015-02-11T09:39:19.675-08:00Writing two series, I already know the main charac...Writing two series, I already know the main characters, then it's a matter of what the story is going to be--who is going to be murdered (usually), why, and who might've done it. Things spin away from there.Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04179984154939161530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-23150697026831441202015-02-11T09:34:36.650-08:002015-02-11T09:34:36.650-08:00That's what we hope to do with this blog. Glad...That's what we hope to do with this blog. Glad to have inspired you.Miko Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02877203657513631557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-21410921122240016742015-02-11T09:33:22.354-08:002015-02-11T09:33:22.354-08:00You're right, there is no magic formula, but a...You're right, there is no magic formula, but at least there are no hard fast rules, either. We can choose whatever method works for us. As you point out, the key is to keep at it and write.Miko Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02877203657513631557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-40038611667823638252015-02-11T09:22:35.388-08:002015-02-11T09:22:35.388-08:00I don't think your comment was flippant at all...I don't think your comment was flippant at all. I'm sure the other writers I interviewed who made similar comments would bear that out.Miko Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02877203657513631557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-66338053374374512032015-02-11T09:20:28.757-08:002015-02-11T09:20:28.757-08:00Yes, I was surprised to learn that I wasn't th...Yes, I was surprised to learn that I wasn't the only writer who adjusted my approach to writing over time. Miko Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02877203657513631557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-55732842940619316732015-02-11T09:17:51.860-08:002015-02-11T09:17:51.860-08:00Great post! I've tried a few different ideas, ...Great post! I've tried a few different ideas, but my characters always take the story in the direction they prefer. I follow along and hope for the best.<br />Marja McGrawMarjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09528164359512905392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-86606838144612091172015-02-11T09:16:53.423-08:002015-02-11T09:16:53.423-08:00Lot of good and varied info here, Miko. I like to ...Lot of good and varied info here, Miko. I like to outline mine to death, but it takes so long, that sometimes all the momentum to actually write the novel has faded by the time I'm done. (Hence, my Sister Secrets women's fiction, which has languished in the drawer - or computer file - for years.) I think when people are asking that question - usually non-authors - they want to know HOW to write a book quickly and easily, thinking that someday a successful author will tell them the magic key and they will be able to do it too, instead of just sitting down with fingers on keyboard and pounding out the story. It's hard work no matter which way you use and some are simply not committed to do it. (Guess that's why I stick to short pieces!)Jackie Houchinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01753758587434594531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-51457373611039123972015-02-11T08:45:23.318-08:002015-02-11T08:45:23.318-08:00Love it. Much to think about as I continue to wor...Love it. Much to think about as I continue to work on mine. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00333367613735033572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-13702937529492106032015-02-11T08:17:00.492-08:002015-02-11T08:17:00.492-08:00What an interesting post, Miko! I loved hearing wh...What an interesting post, Miko! I loved hearing what other authors are doing. It's all so interesting how different we all are--and knowing that is a comfort, especially in those times you're asking yourself, am I doing this right! (I must add, my comment sounds rather flippant, but it's true, I do wing it. Though after I've "winged it" write down some consistency things like cars and guns the various characters use.)<br /><br />Anyway, really enjoyed your post!<br /><br />MadelineM.M. Gornellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05610211516010193111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-72338501385447748462015-02-11T07:46:39.790-08:002015-02-11T07:46:39.790-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.M.M. Gornellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05610211516010193111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-13831090388594269552015-02-11T06:48:52.741-08:002015-02-11T06:48:52.741-08:00Your post does show that writers do have a plan, e...Your post does show that writers do have a plan, even if it is different from the others. We all do something to keep us on track. And the more we write the better we are at keeping all the threads from coming loose. GBPoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12190573764848658894noreply@blogger.com