I found an article titled “Planning to Outline Your Novel? Don’t.” As a pantser, an organic writer who dreams up most of the stories I write organically, on the fly, I was glad to hear a word of encouragement.
The writer says that
“. . . planning your novel ahead of time increases its chances of being dead on arrival”
Well, no one wants that to happen. The article suggests that outlining and character sketches changes to job of writing into “translating” instead of creating. They suggest that outlining is “micromanagement of the reader experience,” an interesting way to look at it. What does that mean? That it reduces room for readers' interpretation sparked by the narrative. Another way to see that is that it can reduce the participation by the reader in the experience of the story.
Other points made:
- The best writing happens when the writer is discovering what happens as he or she is creating.
- Engaging in the act of discovery allows us to uncover questions.
- Your only task is to create. The less you know before you start, the more you stand to uncover as you write.
You may find this worth a read.
Wishing you a happy new year of writing!
Ray