On Thu, 24 Jul 1997, Joshua Dyal wrote:

    The key to writing any long story is knowing where you are going 
before you start.  I have started countless "novels" only to quit after 
a chapter or two because I couldn't figure out what do do with my 
characters, or how to advance the plot realistically etc.  I actually 
read a few books by authors on how they write, and the thing that they 
all do is have a very detailed plan before they start.  Robert Jordan, 
for example, has huge files he's created for each of his characters, for 
each country in his world, for plot outlines, and sub-plot developments 
etc.

	True.  It helps to have an outline, or at least a general idea of 
where you're heading.  However, there's little point in enslaving 
yourself to a rigid plan - stories never seem to follow the first 
outline, and take great peverse pleasure in deviating from the path at 
the earliest outline.
	As for Jordan - heh, I've never figured out why he was so well 
received; I figure it's by default or something.  Sure, he's not bad, but 
there's such a thing as overwriting - which he does in spades.  The first 
chronacles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, for example, or The Lord of 
the Rings, are certain no less 'epic' than the WoT series - and, in 
fact, are far more gripping for having been kept under, what, 5000 pages?
But I guess I'm getting off topic...
	With character outlines and whatnot - I'm not sure that's as 
necessary with fanfiction.  The anine and manga act, in a way, in that 
role - they're perfect examples of how the characters act and think.  For 
me, at least, writing the Ranma characters is more instinctive than 
anything.  But for an original fiction - yeah, character outlines are 
probably important... (I wouldn't know, never made a serious attempt at 
writing a full length original fiction...)

anticipated.  But if I didn't have a plan to begin with, I wouldn't have 
even gotten far enough to worry about diverging plots.

	<nod>  Same here.  Original plan might've been sketchy at best, 
but it allowed me to at least start.  Although the one 'long' fanfic I'm 
planning, I am outline rather extensively...
 

    Anyways, after all this, you probably think I must think of myself 
as an expert writer.  That is not the case.  :)  But, as I pointed out, 
almost all professional writers that do long works (novels, etc.) have 
very detailed plans before they begin.

	Heh.  I'm certainly no expert...  Incidentaly, though, I don't 
think all writers are quite that detailed.  I seem to remember 
Asimov writing once that he had a beginning, a general idea of where he 
was ending up, and everything in between just... happened.  One reread, 
and off to publishers (must be nice!)
 
	-Mike Noakes

	(And BTW, the whole 'Manhood Ritual' thing is a _great_ idea...)

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