12.26: Q&A on Outlining and Discovery Writing

12.26: Q&A on Outlining and Discovery Writing

Author: Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler June 26, 2017 Duration: 20:31
Your Hosts: Brandon, Piper, Dan, and Howard

Our listeners had questions about outlining and discovery writing. Here are a few of the very best:

* Do you outline scenes? How?
* How do you know when to STOP outlining something?
* How much do you have to know about your character and/or world before you start writing?
* What do you to to diagnose and fix a structural problem with a discovery-written draft?
* What do you do to 'get into' an outline that you're struggling with.
* Are each of your projects similar in terms of procedure?
* What are some major indicators that a piece needs more structural work?

Soundbite moment: DAN: "I had to learn the difference between a story, and a bunch of stuff that happens."

Credits: this episode was recorded in Cosmere House Studios by Dan Dan the Audioman Thompson, and mastered via great mastery by Alex Jackson

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It’s a common piece of advice: if you want to be a writer, you should write. But what happens when you’re staring at the blank page, or when the business side of publishing feels like a maze? That’s where Writing Excuses comes in. Each week, hosts Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler gather not just to talk about writing, but to dissect it. They move quickly, respecting your time while packing episodes with actionable discussions on technique, from character voice to plot structure. But this podcast understands that a writing life isn’t just about craft-it’s also a career. So conversations naturally pivot to the practicalities of the business, navigating careers, and sustaining creativity in a demanding field. You’ll hear five distinct professional perspectives blending into a single, focused conversation designed to get you past excuses and back to your work. It’s like a regular, invigorating workshop session delivered directly to you, meant to equip you with tools for both your manuscript and your professional path.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 500

Writing Excuses
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