Writing Forum

I'm not sure forming a plot can only be done with an outline. I think no matter whether you pants or plot, you still think deeply about your work and tie things together. It's not like you write randomly until you get to 60k words then stop where you are.

I doubt GoT was outlined as far as one book or several books out, so your example above may not be pertinent, though maybe Martin does indeed thoroughly outline across books. I know Diana Gabaldon, author of Outlander, does not. She's is a very vocal pantser. Yes, threads do tie together across all 8 books (and there's several threads she has promised to tie off in the final book, #10). She just doesn't always know how she's getting there, she just has an idea of where's she's going (namely, a scene in mind further down the road). One good thing about writing non-linerally is you can write an end scene, then jump back to chapter 5, then somewhere in the middle...I hear you make it all tie together because it all develops together.

I guess if you're good at the craft, it doesn't actually matter how you go about it. You create a great story regardless of the approach you've used. I suspect anyone skilled in writing great books could do it any way (and maybe with one hand tied behind her back) Those of us new to the art of storytelling have lots to learn, so trying multiple approaches may help us learn and improve our skill. Once we find an approach that works for us, we stop at that and that becomes the BEST approach in our eyes and, maybe, if we become highly successful, then we tout that approach. However, every writer needs to figure out what works best for them.

As I think I said above, I'm more organic in my writing, but I use an outline too. I'd probably even learn to stand on my head and play a fiddle if I thought it would help me successfully complete my novel!
--
1UppyEar

** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **

** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **