resistance

[marycrawford]

Every time I'm stuck in the middle of a story, I say "next time I will learn to outline". Because if I could outline, if I could outline PROPERLY, then I would have a plan. And if I had a plan, then I would be able to stick to it. (This is the point where the gods begin to laugh.)

Instead I'm stuck in the middle of a story again, and trying to come to terms with the idea that maybe outlining isn't how my brain works. But it's so frustrating! Because I want to know what happens next, but the person who knows what happens next is stubbornly not telling me. She's the worst.

Comments

[clevermanka]

Ooof. Good luck, bb. Best wishes tempting the muse!

[marycrawford]

Thanks, and I hope all the good luck visits you too!

[trobadora]

Ugh, that's definitely frustrating! But you'll figure it out. *cheers you on*

[marycrawford]

Aw, thanks for the cheering!

[amorettea]

I have never written an outline in my life except when required to for papers for school. Which is why I am the Queen of Scenes Going Nowhere.

[marycrawford]

Scenes going nowhere is such a shame - I'm trying to finish stuff, so here's hoping I can avoid that. But yeah, feeling you on the outline issue.

[umadoshi]

If you outlined, you'd probably have the story running in unexpected directions and throwing you off at least sometimes, because writing brains are CONTRARY PIECES OF WORK. ^^;

*hugs* Good luck getting things sorted out! I'm excited to see whatever you come up with, whenever your brain tells you what's next.

[marycrawford]

writing brains are CONTRARY PIECES OF WORK

You are SO right. And yeah, I am still figuring out if outlining would even do me any good at all...

I'm excited to see whatever you come up with
Thank you! That is always so welcome and motivational to hear. <3

[killabeez]

I don't know if it helps at all, but...for me, outlining can either help me make it over the finish line, or (maybe more frequently) be the kiss of death. For years now, I've been stuck in this place where, if I don't outline? Story doesn't happen. But just as often, if not more often, if I DO outline...story doesn't happen, because I've already answered all the questions. It's a real conundrum.

[torch]

Yes, this! This is why I can't really outline -- then I've already told the story, and it dies. (it's dead to me, she said coldly) I try to jot down a few notes at the end of the document if it seems important, so I can stay two steps ahead, that's all.

[marycrawford]

it's dead to me, she said coldly

heee. I feel like I'm in the dark about a lot of this stuff, so every bit of perspective is helpful. Two steps ahead is about what I do now, I think - I have some notes on major things that Must Happen but often get stymied on how to get there.

[killabeez]

{{{{}}}}

I suspect, and don't quote me, that this is what rewrites are for. :D (too bad I almost never do that...)

[marycrawford]

I think I'm still (very slowly and mulishly) figuring out what does and doesn't work for me, so yes that is helpful, thank you! Just as a data point of "it can work but it can also have unintended side effects". I think I keep wanting to surprise myself (so no outline) but then also get hung up on plot stuff that would work so much better if I DID have an outline, sigh.

It's a real conundrum.
It is! I really hope you find your way out of it, because being stuck is No Fun. And I want you to have all the fun writing. <3

[nnozomi]

if I could outline PROPERLY, then I would have a plan. And if I had a plan, then I would be able to stick to it.
Part of me thinks this is very reasonably, and the other part of me says "If I could come up with a plan, I wouldn't need the damn outline in the first place!" (Seriously, I continue to struggle with the balance between "if I don't outline, I won't know where the story is going" and "if I don't just go ahead and write, I won't know where the story wants to go." I think there's no way out but through.)

[marycrawford]

This! I think you hit upon my problem, that balance. I do always find things out as they happen in the story, rather than with a nice bulleted list.

I think there's no way out but through.

NooooO I want a shortcut...but yeah. You're right. You're right!

[klia]

FWIW, I've never been able to outline to save my life -- or make drafts of vids. *hands*

[marycrawford]

I feel reassured! It's silly, I know, because everyone's process is different, but it does help to know that other ppl don't use structures and still make things that WORK.