How do you prefer to write?

Temjin · Post by **Temjin** » 2004-05-28 06:43pm

How do you prefer write a story?

Do you like to plan it all in advance with both a plot and chapter outline?

Or do you just wing it? Making it up as you go along with just a general plot in your head?

This question came to me while I was planning a story I'm about to start writing. I'm doing the whole works: plot brainstorming, character brainstorming, personal tech guide, chapter outline, and some other things. But this is just how I prefer to write. This just helps me to keep the story consistant.

I've also seen some great stories done the other way. Personally, I'm horrible at this.

So, how about you?

I'm especially interested in how the more successful writers on this board write.

Edit: I can't fix that spelling error in the poll. Could a mod do it for me?

Post by **Zaia** » 2004-05-28 06:46pm

With prepositions, definitely.

Post by **Dalton** » 2004-05-28 07:02pm

Fixed...and I tend to wing it.

Isolder74 · Post by **Isolder74** » 2004-05-28 07:08pm

I tend to do both. I have an outline for the entire store and some of the chapters have an outline. But mostly I just wing it on chapters that are between major events on the main story outline.

1337n1nj4 · Post by **1337n1nj4** » 2004-05-28 07:15pm

I have a basic outline of plot points, how I want it to start and finish; I have characters that start out certain ways and that I want to end up certain ways.

Otherwise, it writes itself accordingly; even the basic outline is fluid, though. If I get into it and something else hits me that will work, it goes in.

So, both

Post by **Zaia** » 2004-05-28 09:07pm

I outline the general plot in my head, but work the details as they come to me.

Captain Cyran · Post by **Captain Cyran** » 2004-05-28 09:11pm

Like, 90% of the stuff I write is entirely off the top of my head. But I do have a general outline of what the major points of the story are so I can work towards them.

18-Till-I-Die · Post by **18-Till-I-Die** » 2004-05-28 11:01pm

Both.

I start out with the general idea: who, what, why, where (or when). Then i develop the characters until i can get a cradle to the grave view of these people.

I figure out how it will end, and write a start, and then everything in between i make up as i go along, heading towards the ending for each book or story, and eventually the series itself.

It's actually a kinda' quick and easy way to do it, for me anyway.

Warspite · Post by **Warspite** » 2004-05-29 08:55am

A little of both, I know how I want the story to flow, how does it lead to some key scenes that are previously worked out, and then I let the story write itself. If I ever manage to finish it, then come the revision phase, that may include major rewritings.

I once tried outlining a story in its entirety, having all characters prefectly fleshed out, but since this way the story was basically written, I lost interestm didn't want to write the in-betweens and fillers. So nowadays, I only use a very basic roadmap, with outlining only for the current chapter I'm engaged in. (This way it has the added benefit of letting one's inspiration come naturally as one writes.)

Crazedwraith · Post by **Crazedwraith** » 2004-05-29 09:49am

Bit of both for me.
Generally I make it up as i go along but sometimes i'll have and idea where the next couple of chapter of going to go.

Take my fanfic for example (link in sig) I just made up the prologue and 1st chapter as i went along but i now know what i'm goint to in Chapters 2&3.

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2004-05-29 12:23pm

Why isn't "Drunk" one of the options in this poll?

Sir Sirius · Post by **Sir Sirius** » 2004-05-30 03:13am

I plan things out in detail, then as I am writing I have a change of heart and start altering my plans. Quite often, somewhere along the line, I even change my mind about things I've already writen and begin a process of rewriting... by doing so I succeed in mangling my work so badly that it becomes unsalvageable and I then disgard it out of frustration. The above happens all too often.

Sarevok · Post by **Sarevok** » 2004-05-30 03:37am

I like to have a plot outline. That ensures there no confusion or continuty errors

Shinova · Post by **Shinova** » 2004-05-30 05:56am

I try to do a really light outline. Too deep and I start trying to actually write down actual lines of the story and it gets too messy. And the rest of the way I make it up as I go.

Bob McDob · Post by **Bob McDob** » 2004-05-30 05:59am

I've (often) tried to screw plot and just wing it. The result was ... unpleasant.

Post by **haas mark** » 2004-05-30 09:17am

A bit of both. Sometimes I make up the end that I want and keep it in mind and try to make the beginning meet the end somehow. Outlines are helpful in some situations, though.

Post by **Ghost Rider** » 2004-05-30 07:54pm

A bit from side A, and a bit from side B...with a medium helping of RedImp's suggestion.

Usually I have the end and the start fleshed but the middle is a grand mystery until several edits later.

Post by **haas mark** » 2004-05-30 08:48pm

Ghost Rider wrote:A bit from side A, and a bit from side B...with a medium helping of RedImp's suggestion.

Usually I have the end and the start fleshed but the middle is a grand mystery until several edits later.

Heh.. sounds exactly like me, except sometimes it's the middle that I have ready to go and the start and end that I have to figure out...

Shroom Man 777 · Post by **Shroom Man 777** » 2004-05-31 12:58am

There's a general plot, a very general plot. I tend to write it as it goes along, there are certain events I want to put in like a space war and a ground war and other stuff, but the bulk of the things is not pre-planned, the story writes itself but I stick to the general plot so nothing shitty will happen.

Sarevok · Post by **Sarevok** » 2004-05-31 03:50am

Usualy I dont write down the plot outline on paper. I like to keep it in my head and work from there.

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