Fuck Outlines

These fuckin' things fucking suck.

Like trying to write from inside a straight jacket.

Comments

[Note Worthy]

OOOF.

I get it, though. Two of my works could have benefitted mightily from an outline. Yeah, they're a royal heckin' pain to write because you want to be writing the darn story, but without those fenceposts and guides, it's easy to careen off-course, write yourself into a corner and then need to toss it all in the dustbin and start over.

Not fun.

[B_25]

5710402
I used to think that, but the story never changes from the outline anyway. Pace and plot until it's done. That, and keeping in your head keeps the beats organic and ever-changing.

[Chaos Phantasm]

In my time, I've been able to keep the use of outlines to a rarity.
Except for one time but that was just because I had restarted the chapter six times over a three year period trying to nail it.
I found it to be a fun experience, though I felt pressed for time doing it. I wouldn't say it was something I'd do again unless I was really struggling to write it out.

[sykko]

That's why I don't use them. I may use some notes about elements about the story I feel are concrete, but for the most part I write completely loose form and go where the wind takes me, changing things when they don't stick to my narrative.

[Dr Sharaz Jek]

I've always written 'bullet points' for scenes and themes I want to include, then write a story around them. So a very light outline, I suppose?

[PonyDragon]

Try to first write an outline for the outline.