Outline quiz: how much should you plan?

0 of 9 answered

1. 1. When you sit down to start a new novel, what do you usually have?

   A feeling, an image or a character — not much moreA premise and a rough idea of the endingA list of the big events in orderA chapter-by-chapter plan
2. 2. How do you feel when you know exactly what happens in the next scene?

   Bored — finding out is the fun partRelieved, as long as there's room for surprisesConfident — that's when I write fastest
3. 3. Think of a draft you abandoned or nearly abandoned. Where did it stall?

   I haven't stalled on one, or haven't finished a draft yet to knowIn the middle — I lost track of where it was goingEarly — I planned so much that drafting felt like filling in a formNear the end — I couldn't make the ending land
4. 4. How do you feel about large structural revisions?

   Happy to do them — revision is where the book really appearsI'll do some, but rebuilding the whole plot wears me downI'd rather the first draft be structurally close to final
5. 5. Which best describes this book?

   Clues, reveals or a mystery that must play fairA big cast, several viewpoints or more than one timelineCharacter-driven — the plot grows out of the peopleI'm not sure yet
6. 6. How do you keep track of names, dates and details today?

   In my headLoose notes in a few placesA dedicated document, spreadsheet or story bible
7. 7. What does your writing time look like?

   Short sessions squeezed in where I canA few longer sessions most weeksLong stretches, but unpredictable
8. 8. A character does something you didn't expect in the middle of a scene. You…

   Follow them — that's the best part of writingFollow them, then check what it changes further onMake a note and stick to the plan unless it's clearly better
9. 9. Is there a deadline for this draft?

   Yes, a firm oneA loose personal goalNo deadline