Writing Forum

I'm currently reading a book called Story Trumps Structure, by Steven James. He's against outlining at all and really believes the best fiction is written when it's written organically. He makes some good points, though I don't agree with him 100%. I am much more of an organic writer verses an outliner, though I do have a rough outline. Anyhow, he feels that yes, there are plot formulas out there, but if you stick to those, you get very predictable books and that's not really what people want to read. His premise is that you focus on making promises to the reader - through the way the story is set up, described, and evolved - and then fulfill those promises. You never outline things because you then set yourself up for having to stick to it or making new ideas fit into it, and you deny the natural evolution of a creative story from happening. Maybe it works for him and HE feels that should work for everyone, but of course, everyone must find what works for them through trial and error, I think.


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1UppyEar

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