tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-497164028438533435.post5775431612893991731..comments2023-11-14T21:31:35.805-06:00Comments on J.F. Juzwik's Blog: Outline or No Outline: That is the Question!Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03275503653927579472noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-497164028438533435.post-78909727097699486382009-02-09T09:54:00.000-06:002009-02-09T09:54:00.000-06:00That's so true when it comes to fantasy, that basi...That's so true when it comes to fantasy, that basic notes, at least, are needed. There's no 'John' or 'Mary' or 'Main Street' or 'Joe's Bar and Grill'. The characters, locations, and sometimes even the events are way out of the 'ordinary'.<BR/><BR/>Some topics pertain pretty much to horror or crime, but there are also a lot of areas that would apply to any genre. I'm going to try to cover genre-specific and general aspects as well.<BR/><BR/>Thanks so much for coming by, Carmen, and I'm grateful for your comments. JoyceJoycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03275503653927579472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-497164028438533435.post-22179118055252131012009-02-08T23:06:00.000-06:002009-02-08T23:06:00.000-06:00Hi Joyce,This is a great topic. I as a fantasy wri...Hi Joyce,<BR/><BR/>This is a great topic. I as a fantasy writer, who likes my stories to fall under action/adventure, horror, romance and etc...I usually don't do any outlines at all, comparing to other writers. I agree with Melonie, I just sit and write in one paragraph what my tale is going to be about and I write away. You would be amazed how my story changes into what my muse feels the direction the tale should take. Now when it comes to my novels I jot down notes. They usually fall into one piece of paper or two. Now when writing fantasy as a writer I must invented items and their purposes. weird names and etc. I usually write the basics. The main characters names and description and the part they play, and a few items. The rest of it depends on my creative muse which flows freely. I may not write Crime fiction but as writers we have in common that with our work we try to keep it engaging, mysterious and have our readers wanting to read on. ;-) I enjoyed this and I'm looking forward to more of your blogs.CAV LASTERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14490798518119774356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-497164028438533435.post-12897974226803725722009-02-06T12:44:00.000-06:002009-02-06T12:44:00.000-06:00I agree totally, Melonie. Depending on the size o...I agree totally, Melonie. Depending on the size of your project, a few notes would probably help some writers. Then again, I do believe it is possible to sit down and write an epic just making it up as you go along. Does it sound like I'm on both sides of the fence? Absolutely. But writing with a rigid set of notes and refusing to vary is not creating. You can sort of tell when something's been written that way too. I think the story, or whatever it is, comes across as very cold and mechanical. It doesn't infuse any emotion into the reader and I'm sure most readers will agree. If what I'm reading doesn't make me feel anything, I'm done with the writer.<BR/><BR/>Whatever works for each individual, I say, but let's all remember, we write, not only for ourselves. We write for the reader too. Let our creativity flow and be free.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for stopping by, Melonie, and your comments are greatly appreciated. JoyceJoycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03275503653927579472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-497164028438533435.post-11261642568020186002009-02-04T09:03:00.000-06:002009-02-04T09:03:00.000-06:00Great topic. You know, I've had this same discuss...Great topic. You know, I've had this same discussion with a friend of mine who does a lot of what I consider to be elaborate planning -- and I hardly plan at all. I fall into that category of writers known as "pantsers" -- meaning I tend to fly by the seat of my pants, delighting as the story reveals itself to me. For someone like me, a very detailed plan or outline is out of the question because there is a certain robbery there of the element of surprise that I enjoy experiencing as I write. I also don't believe in editing much. Grammar correction, yes -- but changing the writing, or even the sentences tends to throw my greater scheme out of whack. I like to keep my writing In Whack when possible.<BR/>But I do have friends who have huge notebooks stuffed with notes, detailed biographies of characters, dates, places both real and contrived, how many times baby Harvey hiccuped at some minor supporting character's third birthday party...etc...<BR/>I could not live that way, much less get any writing done. <BR/><BR/>What a great discussion.Meloniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05969289041625338824noreply@blogger.com