Battle Plans

There are three types of writers in the world.

The Strategist - Outlines are their first resort. They are kings and queens of detail, preparation, and rules. Pages of notes are taken before even one word of prose hits a blank document. It sometimes takes ages before they begin, because they want to know that every twist and turn will lead to the desire outcome. The Strategist is cerebral. When at last they do sit to pen their famous words, the story appears like a well-rehearsed symphony.

The Artist - Outlines are the work of the devil. Streams of consciousness are the mechanisms of genius. Why would anyone strive to think about the story before they begin to write? That would take away the growth of it. The Artist sees the story as an organism, not to be controlled. Just write, and it will form naturally. Never mind the gaps - we can fill them later. The best parts of a story arise in the unpracticed jazz solos in the heat of the moment.

The Creator - I have no solid outline, but I have the story arc in my head. I know the end game. I take notes, but I'm not ruled by them. I try to pause before to think about what I wish to accomplish from scene to scene. I revere the divine moments of inspiration, but I am anchored by the realization that I have better things to do than spend weeks patching plot holes that easily could have been avoided in the first draft. I value authenicity, but I also think ahead. Perfection is impossible, but plot is indispensible.