Plan the whole book VS. Let it write itself?????

[gnbraun]

Do you writers out there tend to write an outline for the story before you write it, or do you just go with it and let it write itself as the characters demand???

[FrederickHamilton]

I write a pretty detailed outline that I usually then proceed to ignore.

[brettmcbean]

or do you just go with it and let it write itself as the characters demand???

That one.

[Matthew Revert]

I tend to write the first couple of pages and then stop. I never write anything down but the story builds itself in my head in a pretty detailed way before I continue writing.

[gaybrat]

I often say I "write from the gut." With my shorts, I just usually start and see whta happens. If I do know where I'm going, sometimes I get there and other times the story itself takes me in whole new directions. With novels, however, I feel I must do some outlining. I don't do a detailed outline, more of a vague "this needs to happen then later that needs to happen," but always leaving room for the story to take over and pull me away from the plan. I mean, for me if the story isn't dictating where it needs to go, I'm doing something wrong.

[GarrettCook]

Jimmy Plush is the first book I've outlined. I'm glad I did it, though it made me pretty nervous. I really resented myself for telling me what to do. Those of you who've read Archelon Ranch know my sentiments on this subject pretty well.

[ChristyLeighStewart]

I tend to write the first couple of pages and then stop.

This ^

I never write anything down but the story builds itself in my head in a pretty detailed way before I continue writing.

Without this ^