Plotting

I used to think I was bad at plotting. But now I realize that I haven't done enough of it to really know. It all comes down to the plot outline. I've written plot outlines for short stories and screenplays, but not novels. Word length aside, plot outlines might be why I actually finish screenplays but have never been able to complete a novel.

In a way, I think screenplays themselves are outlines (it dawns on me that it's a little strange to outline an outline). I've moved away from screenwriting, but screenplays might end up helping me to plot my novel. Each page is about a minute long on screen, which gives me a rough idea of where certain events go and how long they should be. So creating a screenplay outline and sticking to it has been relatively easy. The one problem is that it is possible to outline a plot to death. Sometimes over plotting destroys the creativity that spontaneity can bring.

All this brings me to the plotting I'm doing now. Five years ago I would have just sat down and banged out 120,000 words without even getting halfway through the book. Then I would have lost interest and stuffed it into a drawer. I promised myself that I would finally outline a novel so I started plotting a several weeks ago when I wanted to set my novel in the 1880s. It put me to sleep and I had to start plotting a new novel all over again. So far, I haven't outlined the ending, but I have settled on two ways the novel could end - mainly because those are the only logical conclusions.

This could end with a great manuscript or a terrible one. But, I'm probably more likely to actually finish the thing. Which has always been goal number one anyway.

Do you create a plot outline before you write, or do you write without one?

Photos courtesy SXC and SXC.