Students who study composition are typically familiar with basic essay or creative story writing skills. If you’re thinking of becoming an author, some of the lessons you learned in composition class may come in handy. One of the skills your instructor probably focused on at some point is “writing outlines.”
Writing outlines helps authors organize their thoughts. It’s also a way to create a structured plan so that a story will flow in a sequential manner. When you were a student, if your instructor required an outline to accompany an essay or story, you had to include one if you wanted a good grade. As an author, however, there is no requirement. Many authors continue to use outlines but some do not. The writing industry often refers to those who do as “plotters” and those who don’t as “pantsers.”
Plotters versus pantsers
Stephen King is a best-selling author of 60-plus novels and hundreds of short stories. He’s also known as a pantser; that is, he likes to write “by the seat of his pants,” meaning without writing outlines. Plotters, on the other hand, such as J.K. Rowling and James Patterson, have said that they use detailed outlines to help them plan and direct their stories, which often include highly complex plots.
You don’t have to be one or the other. You might choose to be a plotter for one of your novels but a pantser for another. Most prolific authors, however, tend to develop habits, routines and recognizable styles. It’s not uncommon for writers to fall into one or the other category.
Writing outlines can help bring your stories to life
Perhaps you’ll discover that you’re part plotter and part pantser as you begin writing novels. Some writers create an outline and use it as a general road map, while allowing themselves to veer off the scheduled path if they feel compelled to do so as a story unfolds. Writing outlines is a skill that can help bring a story to life, but you don’t need to be enslaved by the process.
Best-selling authors learn to trust their instincts. This means that it’s okay to make changes, including additions or deletions, that are different from your original outline. As you write, let your intuition guide you. Use the outline as a tool but remember that you’re still in control of the story. If you’re just starting out as a fiction author, don’t hesitate to experiment with writing outlines. You might be a plotter or a pantser, or a little of both.
