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!

[trobadora]

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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.)

[klia]

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