Outlining is something I try to do but it doesn’t always work out. Some of my stories I have detailed outlines for and others I just sat down and started writing them. I will admit outlines do help a lot. For my fantasy story, I have a very detailed outline because of the amount of characters and places alone. My vampire series though I sat down at the computer and started writing. Now that I’m rewriting it I’ve found myself making an outline for it. Having a detailed outline I think can help before you even start writing because sometimes I go back over one of mine and find myself already cutting things that don’t fit or make sense to the plot.
I believe outlining your novel works for some writers and for others it doesn’t. I think a writer can do both. It depends on the story. 🙂
Look forward to your comments. 🙂
Diane Riggins 
My sis says my outlines are so detailed that sometimes I’ve almost written the story before I start ;P I’m not quite that bad, honestly, but I do like a plan before I start. Although, I have written some stories straight out, when the muse hits, I can sometimes just roll with it 🙂
Sophie
Sophie’s Thoughts & Fumbles | Wittegen Press | FB3X
I’ve been told the same thing about my outlines 🙂 Sometimes though the story just unfolds before I can get one done for it. 🙂
I agree that a writer can do both. I write out brief outlines for my short stories. I want to make sure they’re right. But sometimes, they take on a life on their own. For a grand project, like a book, I have to outline. I can’t see myself going into a project of that magnitude blindly. But I think once I get a general sense of how I want to story to play out, I’ll play it by ear. Sometimes, it will change; sometimes, not. It all depends.
That’s me. I do both. For me, it depends on the story whether or not there’ll be an outline and how detailed it will be. 🙂
I do several outlines. Basic, character, and timelines. Depends on where I am in the story. It helps when you go to write the synopsis!
I try to have several ones as well especially the character and timelines. 🙂
I want to be an outliner. I tried last NaNoWriMo, and it helped a little. I feel sure I’d end up with a better first draft and a less frustrating revision process. But so far, I haven’t succeeded in using one for all of a project.
@mirymom1 from
Balancing Act
I try to be but for me it depends on the story. I usually just start writing and get it all on paper 🙂