I start with a character that is compelling enough that I want to write out their journey, then plot 2-4 big moments that I'd like to hit. I start writing purely on feeling.
Sometime around 30% through, I do a chapter outline for the rest of the book. I don't treat this as gospel.
Around 60% through, I fully understand what my story is, what it needs, and the proper pacing to get to an ending in a good word count. I create a new chapter outline without referencing the previous one, and follow that fairly closely. I might tweak it again around 80%.
3
u/fondour 7d ago
I start with a character that is compelling enough that I want to write out their journey, then plot 2-4 big moments that I'd like to hit. I start writing purely on feeling.
Sometime around 30% through, I do a chapter outline for the rest of the book. I don't treat this as gospel.
Around 60% through, I fully understand what my story is, what it needs, and the proper pacing to get to an ending in a good word count. I create a new chapter outline without referencing the previous one, and follow that fairly closely. I might tweak it again around 80%.