Even if it's just in my head, it helps me get things straight. When I have things clear in my head as to what's going to happen, I'm able to write it faster. Because I don't need to pause and consider where this is going, see?
Normally, I just write without an outline and let the story tell itself. But then it's rare that I crank out more than 1k (1000) words a day. By the end of it all, I might have had a neat idea in the beginning that I either can't remember, or can't be bothered to write all the words that go into it. After spending so much time, you need to take a break, you know?
I usually don't use an outline. I just start writing. I'm not so good at outlining because I have troubles finding a suitable way to outline what I want to write. Of course I usually write a synopsis of the story and then ask a few questions to help form it. But that's the closest I get to an outline ^_^
But I usually try and let the story tell itself. It's funner that way and you can get some pretty interesting twists and turns ^_^
So, no outline for me.
Meadow
Purple light in the canyon that is where I long to be With my three good companions just my rifle, pony and me --- "My Rifle My Pony and Me"
I voted yes, though that's only partially true. I've plotted out entire novels before and it gets a little bit boring, but I also am not a seat-of-the-pants writer. I have to have a general idea of what directions I want the plot to go and what I want to happen, but I also leave room for experimentation and branching out in different directions as I get new ideas. So I do use an outline, but usually one that's fairly flexible and informal.
With stories, planning doesn't work for me. I just run with the plot and let it grow organically. That uncertainty and the suspense factor (the need to know what happens next) helps me to think like the reader would and perhaps surprise them.
As far as poetry is concerned, I stick to a few basic formats (sonnet, double sonnet mostly) but I write in free verse. Having that framework gives me some kind of structure but at the same time the free verse element throws a little bit of freedom and unpredictability into the mix.
"Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself." William Faulkner.
Do you do poetry? Check out Poetry Inspiration over in Groups!
I chose yes, mainly because if I don't write something down, I forget it 2 minutes later (seriously, ask my friends) and if I don't write it down, I'll end up forgetting it and when I go to write, I write my crappiest ideas. (Which isn't a very good thing!)
I do in the sense that I'll brainstorm write, where I just sort of throw out the idea in outline format as it comes to me. Usually I just write down main events that I know I want to happen. Then I go back and actually write the story off the cuff. Usually it looks nothing like the outline and the outline feels like a waste of time, but it mainly helps me just to get the idea out there and on paper so I can play with it a bit and not forget all the lovely details that might be floating around in my head before I can write them in the story.
I use an outline as well, because it helps me keep my story straight.
It's not detailed, but I jot down what it's about, what happens and where I want it to go, so when I'm stuck I can take a look at that and maybe get an idea of how to continue writing.
Mostly, though, I just write what's in my head and don't think much about it, but I'm generally of the opinion that using an outline (even only a rough one) is really helpful.
♥And if you go, I wanna go with you. And if you die, I wanna die with you♥
