Warning:  This response includes shameless plugs.

Writing a story should be like cheating to find the 
exit to a maze: start from the end, where you want 
to be, then work your way back to the beginning 
so you know what pitfalls to avoid and where the 
twists will be.  It then is an easy task to draw 
a single line through the maze to it's finish 
without any mistakes.

You can't get there if you don't know where you're 
going.

   Unfortunately, when I tried that method with Illuminations, I turned 
around and found that some twisted punk had rearranged the *$%&ing 
maze....
   I don't think it's hurt my storytelling (except possibly in one 
chapter, where I tried to force a result that my side excursions no 
longer led up to), save in that it has slowed down later chapters, as I 
try to think, "What did I miss this time?"

Quick question, what does everyone thing of outlines? 

Two words: plot holes.  When you plan out what will 
happen where, you tend to notice them.

   Alternately, careful, drawn-out writing will accomplish the same 
effect.

I haven't the discipline to do it that way myself, 
but it strikes me as a good method.  When I write, 
I don't sit in front of the computer until I know 
the complete plot, its twists, character actions, 
events and dialogue so *completely* off by heart 
that I could recite it to someone.  What Sandborn 
does on paper, I do in my head.

  Whereas I brutally hammer out one scene at a time, then sit back and 
figure out how badly I've messed up my plans.  For me, the story writes 
itself, and I have to follow it.  This method has its own hazards for 
the author:  You frequently look at something you just wrote, and 
wonder, "Is my psyche really that warped?"

  Furthermore, in this forum, I've found that there is always the 
possibility that reader feedback might make you change your mind about 
something, including a major plot turn.  Ukyou's death in 
_Illuminations_ was like that;  I had originally planned to simply write 
her out of the story, sending her to America to recuperate.  The problem 
was, that characterization didn't really fit (thanks, all who pointed 
that out, BTW).  So I gave just enough insight into her head to show 
that she wouldn't be gone for long, and then she was killed.  Complete 
with a corpse.  It was ugly and brutal, but it served its purpose, both 
within and without the story;  Ukyou was gone (without), and Ranma was 
successfully sidetracked from dealing with his problems for several days 
(within).

Having every last detail planned out, at least in a multipart fic, is a 
waste of the potential for feedback this list provides.

--Freemage, who really should be writing Illuminations 16 right now...


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