Compared to James Patterson's online course

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Do you outline before you write or discover a situation and let the story write itself?

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James V Cannon

New Member
Aug 22, 2016
1
3
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I bought your book on Amazon based on a referral from another reader (she's now my pre-reader). The book is a bargain, compared to Patterson's $90 online course, and IMHO, much more relevant and consistent with my experience. I appreciated your nugget that the writer discovers the situation and the story develops from there. Patterson advocates an outline before writing - which I have difficulty with. This is my 4th historical novel (two self-published, one lost, Cougar Gulch draft completed) and each one of them started with a fossilized situation. Thanks so much, now I feel better (other than having pissed away $90). It is true that the situation writes the story. I'm so tired of mass produced, formulated, co-authored junk. No longer a Patterson or Cussler fan.
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
807267
 
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Kingunlucky

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2016
368
1,681
A bit of both, depends on the story and I'm still learning which I prefer myself but nothing wrong with outlining one bit.

The balance is key cause at times a lack of forethought/outling can result in weak endings or weak plots all around I've heard, most of all if you only edit a little. But on the flip side to much outlining can cull the creative process and hamper character development.

Some writers will say you must outline and some will say that just running with the idea is the best.

But you aren't those writers.

You are you and whatever method you work the best in you should use.
 

mal

content
Jun 23, 2007
4,714
27,243
61
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Howdy James, I am not a writer but if I was to try I would push on through in that stream of consciousness style ala Kerouac and go where the story takes me. Once done I would then edit, chunk it up according to how it flows, and pretty up any loose ends. Welcome and all the best, mal.
 
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skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
Some people are plotters and others are pantsers. It takes some work to discover which suits you best. Often it's a combination that works.
 
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