Author Mike Johnson shares his thoughts on the benefits of outlining as a way to manage the storyline and prevent writer's block.

Before we explore outlining methods, let's get something out of the way: not all writers use outlines and that's perfectly fine. Winging it, or "pantsing," is a valid writing method, especially for fiction writers. However, many writers benefit from...

John Wilkerson, sci-fi author, journalist, and ghostwriter, is a bit of a plotter and a bit of a pantser. However, he prefers the term “dungeon crawler.” Before starting a novel, he outlines the first three or four chapters, so that he knows where...

Author Jennifer Ziegler, who has written three books under her name and numerous others in the mass market industry, shares her views on the value of outlining and how the technique has helped her over the years. Click here to play this audio clip

To outline or not to outline? That is a very common question amongst new writers, both fiction and nonfiction. The answer largely depends on what type of writer you are - are you a plotter or a pantser ? In other words, are you a planner or are you spontaneous...

Do you outline? R.L. Stine, a National Bestselling Children’s author with over 350 million books sold, tells us that he knows everyone dislikes outlining… including him... but he does it anyway because it makes him a better and more prolific writer....

Do you outline? R.L. Stine, a National Bestselling Children’s author with over 350 million books sold, tells us that he knows everyone dislikes outlining… including him... but he does it anyway because it makes him a better and more prolific writer....

Whether or not an author should outline a book before writing it is an ongoing discussion among writers. The truth is, it's a unique decision based on each writer's style and approach. Listen in as author Vincent Panettiere, tells us whether or not he...

Whether or not an author should outline a book before writing it is an ongoing discussion among writers. The truth is, it's a unique decision based on each writer's style and approach. Listen in as author Vincent Panettiere, tells us whether or not he...

Many fiction authors find that outlining is an essential piece of their writing process. An outline is a method of organizing plot points to create a fleshed out and meaningful story. There is no one way to outline for fiction. You may have ordered list...