Wednesday, June 18, 2014

On Writing - Story Trumps Structure by Steven James

There's an interesting piece about writing without a outline over at the Strand website - "Story Trumps Structure" by Steven James.

3 comments:

Manuel Royal said...

Different people find different approaches that work best for them. Outliners, "pantsers" -- they can both produce fine novels. I'm still trying to learn my novelistic process, but it seems like a compromise: a basic outline in my head, a lot of notes, but the story doesn't really form until the characters feel alive to me.

Manuel Royal said...

Oh -- and the three-act structure can be a good place to start, but it's a guideline, not a law of physics. A satisfying, successful script might have five, six, nine "acts".

sandra seamans said...

I know that feeling, Manuel. If I can't step into the character's shoes, the story just stalls. And yes, everyone has to find their own method of writing - there's no one right way.