I may have just found the motivation to start writing something (book, short story, whatever comes to mind)?

Question

It's not a question, I am just excited is all.

But, so that someone doesn't report me, I'll go ahead and ask something...

Structure vs. Spontaneity

When you write do you plan everything out or just start writing and see where you end up?

What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of each method?

Answer 1

I suppose, it depends on what YOU feel comfortable with. I would say, it is foolish to favor structure at the cost of ideas, but then again, to some writers the main idea IS setting a beautiful structure; a mood, if you will. Find your own authentic style and stick with it - you ought to enjoy what you do, otherwise you'll never be truly GREAT at it. And if you are not a GREAT writer in this cutthroat market, you might as well hang it up, unless of course you are writing for your own pleasure, which brings you back full circle to the enjoyment issue. ...Write the next great American Novel and knock 'em dead! Good Luck!

Answer 2

Sometimes I plan. Sometimes I just start writing.

The advantages of planning include seeing the big picture right away. You are moving within a known territory. The discoveries you find are bound within those guidelines and will be easier to work into your story.

On the other hand, it can be exciting to just start writing and explore through unknown territory and be surprised by what you come up with.

I find that if I plan, I often get bored with the story once I know what will happen (I should remind myself that my plans can change - they are not set in stone). If I don't plan, I end up with a couple pages of not-much. I throw them in my scraps folder where maybe I'll look at them later and decide then that they can be developed further.

Answer 3

I think it's important to have enough structure that you have a final destination...but that you're spontaneous enough that you don't plan each stop on the journey. To have an idea of how you want something to end...some goal to achieve is the main thing. It's important to know when to say "the end." But as you're writing new ideas will emerge...you might add countless twists and turns along the way...new problems might arise, old problems be resolved. The most important thing is to listen to your characters.

Answer 4

spontaneity i just grab the pen or pencil and start writing. the bad thing is that when you get into it you might forget something like a characters name or even to put a charachter in the story. and if you need a break from a story give it to a friend and say mail this to me in a year or so. then try to pick up on the story. see if you can then finish the story!

Answer 5

I forgot my name - So much much hate on blood on the dance floor just for there look and there message about Sexual Things. I think there ok. They have a good message that there sending out to everyone. I am now going to get a bunch of dislikes. The First thing that comes to my mind is my name. Jesse

Answer 6

I write quite a lot, both as a hobby and for publication. Always write down immediately what comes into your mind, you can always build a structure it fits in later.

Answer 7

I think that you can have spontenaity within the realm of structue, which, to me, would make for good story telling.

Answer 8

depends on what your writing and what your comfortable with...
isnt like a rule or anything....you get different effects out of both i guess...

Answer 9

the sky is blue. the world is a blind man squatting by the road.

Answer 10

I agree with:

gungnir