Overview
The speaker compares different writing approaches, particularly outlining versus discovery writing, using examples from notable authors and personal experience. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding each method's strengths and weaknesses to develop a hybrid writing process that suits individual needs.
Outlining vs. Discovery Writing Approaches
- Orson Scott Card advocates for detailed outlining, feeling lost without a clear structure.
- Stephen King avoids outlines as they stifle his creativity and cause writer’s block.
- Kevin Anderson uses a highly structured outline, converting each outline sentence into a chapter.
- Authors cannot fully use both extreme methods simultaneously in the same project, but can experiment with each.
Speaker’s Personal Writing Process
- The speaker combines detailed outlining for plot and worldbuilding with discovery writing for character development.
- Character voices are tested through exploratory scenes, sometimes requiring multiple attempts.
- The outline is frequently revised to better synchronize character arcs with the story structure.
- The second draft focuses on aligning character and plot arcs for coherence.
Terminology and Alternative Frameworks
- “Pantser” refers to discovery writers; “architect” and “gardener” (coined by George R.R. Martin) represent outline and discovery approaches, respectively.
- Gardeners (pantsers) spend more time revising drafts, while architects (outliners) invest time upfront planning.
Common Strengths and Pitfalls of Each Method
- Discovery writers often struggle with story endings and may go off on tangents.
- Outliners risk producing stiff characters due to plot-driven structures.
- Awareness of tendencies helps writers identify and address their personal weaknesses.
Strategies to Mitigate Weaknesses
- Discovery writers can benefit from having a minimal outline with key moments and an intended ending.
- Outliners can use freewriting or character sketches to develop more authentic characters.
- Balancing both methods leads to stories with compelling plots and characters.
Advice for Developing a Personal Writing Style
- Experiment with various tools and approaches to discover what works best individually.
- Continuously refine the process to achieve strong endings and believable characters.
- The goal is to blend strengths from both outlining and discovery writing for overall better storytelling.