Comments on: Outlines: A Psychological View

By: Sarah Sundin

Sarah Sundin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:07:31 +0000

I was just thinking of this over Christmas while working on a jigsaw puzzle with my children. My youngest child – an impulsive sort – grabs any old two pieces and sees if they fit, gradually building chunks. I, on the other hand, carefully sort out the corner and edge pieces, put the outline together, then work on motifs in the puzzle, then fill in the background.

You guessed it – I’m an outline writer. The initial brainstorming of the story is an SOTP process, but then I must outline. If I don’t, I end up with 200,000 words of drivel. However, once I’m writing within my outline, my characters still take off and do their own things – and I follow them. They know what they’re doing.

By: Michelle Ule

Michelle Ule — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:47:39 +0000

I use what I would call a “frame” method. I write out the story in about 20 pages, so I know what I’m writing towards and what I want to say. I use that as the framework when I set up the pacing and the chapters. I’m then free to write the actual tale within that basic framework. That’s in fiction, of course.

But the characters will surprise you. I was halfway through a novel when a chicken walked into the scene. The characters and I all turned to look at it. They didn’t say much, but I knew what it meant–three days researching chickens.

And to my delighted surprise several weeks later, that chicken was the turning point in the story.

By: Janet Ann Collins

Janet Ann Collins — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:39:28 +0000

The best method for me is a compromise; make a vague, general outline so I know where I’m going, but fill in the details as I go, and don’t be afraid to change the outline if I think of something better. I’ve tried both extremes and neither worked well. SOTP ended up with a worthless book and when I finished the detailed outline I was so bored with the story I never wrote that one. But everyone’s different so other methods may work best for other people. Maybe those students were sick of outlining everything for college classes and their brains needed a change.

By: Karennina

Karennina — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:39:32 +0000

I wonder what the margin of error is on the study. 5 points is nothing (or not significant) if the margin is 8. Anyhow, there are times when I wish I were more of the Tarzan kind of writer. But I find writing to be so much the “disorderly mental task” that I need an outline to make both sense and progress. If I don’t know where I’m going, I wander off in so many directions and never reach anywhere at all.

That said, I don’t stick to my outline rigidly. I have changed everything from main character to major plot points. There is still a lot of room for creativity. But the outline allows me to compare the new ideas with the old ones, and see which comes out stronger.

By: Brian T. Carroll

Brian T. Carroll — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 01:39:56 +0000

I lived nine years on a missions base where we took turns with Sunday morning preaching. One friend who sat in the front row and outlined every sermon as it was given finally put her notes aside and just listened when I spoke. She told me, “You are always so interesting to listen to, but I can never manage to outline it.” I think she outlined everyone else. When I teach writing to my junior high students I teach organizational methods (not always outlining), because they need it. But when I write or speak, I go with seat-of-the-pants. I say, write the way God made you.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 01:23:59 +0000

What Dale and Bill said . . . from a SOTPer.

By: Ann

Ann — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 01:08:04 +0000

I’m contracted for a book nearly due on my editor’s desk, and as I rewrite through chapters for the glorious 1872nd time, I keep wondering: wouldn’t this all be much easier if I outlined a book?

But the caveat? I write to discover what I think.

And as T.S. wrote:

“If the word ‘inspiration’ is to have any meaning, it must mean … that the speaker … is uttering something that he does not wholly understand.”

Thus, why I can’t outline… and why your post today is one of very encouraging read!

Back to work!

By: Bill Giovannetti

Bill Giovannetti — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:39:52 +0000

This whole discussion is hugely comforting to those of us to whom an outline feels like a straight-jacket. Thank you. I agree: it’s personality. Some freak out without an outline; others suffocate with one. To each his/her own.

By: Lynn Dean

Lynn Dean — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:09:36 +0000

In writing as in life, I often don’t see how the pieces fit to present a theme until near the end of an experience. I loved the way Dale described “writing like Tarzan,” complete with screaming plummets. As a SOTP writer, I do have an idea where the story is going, but much of the processing happens internally.

As a reader it takes away from my enjoyment when I can detect the outline of the story. It’s almost like a spoiler that gives away the surprises and the ending.

Just wondering…if an editor tends to be more of the “outline first” personality, do you think that would affect the sorts of books that appealed to them most readily? Might they gravitate toward stories where the structure was more obvious up front?

By: Rachel Zurakowski

Rachel Zurakowski — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:41:14 +0000

Such interesting comments!

Teri, I love that you have tried both ways and that you know that it’s best for you to outline first. Thanks for sharing!

Richard, your comment made me laugh! I guess if the author doesn’t know how the book will end, there’s no way the reader can until the end. So is it better to be a SOTP mystery/suspense writer?

Thank you, Dale. I think your closing thought is so great for all writers: “There’s no law that says you can’t deviate from the outline, or that you can’t change everything when you’re finished.”

Writing involves so much flexibility. I’ve heard from many writers that once the characters have come alive, they can take over the story even if the book’s already been outlined.