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Question: Question about writing! !?
1!. when you finish your work do you ever go back and read it just for fun or is it only for editing purposes and things like that!?
2!. do you make an outline for your novels!?
3!. if you do exactly how do you do it!?
if you could answer any of these i would appreciate it! thanks!Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
1) everytime i finish a chapter, i DO go back and edit AND read it for fun!. if you don't want to read it for fun, i would think it's because it isn't an interesting or exciting story!. if you edit every chapter once you have completed it, then the editing goes by so much faster!.

2) i am in the process of writing a novel right now and i have an outline!. my outline isn't just a page, it's a whole composition book! the outline is THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN WRITING A NOVEL!. it organizes your plot!. it helps you know exactly what is going to happen in your story so that you can make it the best!. without an outline, you might accidently add a scene that doesnt go along in the story and then you have to totally change it!.

3) okay, first you write down everything you want to see happen in your novel, whether it's a death of a loved one, someone else dying, a fight scene, absolutely anything, even if it's something you want your character to say!. here's what i do: i organized my outline by characters, setting, plot, ideas, what i want to see happen, beginning, middle, and ending!. you just need to fill in all of those with as much detail, description, and specifics as possible!. and when you are done with your outline, you should know all of your characters like you know yourself, know exactly what is going to happen and what the characters are going to say, and if someone asked you a question about your story, no question should be tough!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Sometimes!.
I Have outlined 2 novels, but as yet ,I haven't gotten too far in the writing!.
I try to organize chapters around major events or changes of setting!.
Within each chapter, I lay out a rough outline of the plot!. I don't necessarily stick to the outline!. Sometimes, I will get an idea that takes the plot in a different direction!. But the outline still provides a general structure for the book!.
I have written and published articles, and short stories, but as yet, no longer works like a novel!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

For the first question, once the first draft is done, the writer has to go back to it for some serious editing!. It is amazing how many flaws and mistakes you spot during this process!. Even after you go through it the first time, there are still plenty of things that you missed that other people will spot for you!. Even after a few drafts, I still go back and cringe at some of the things that were missed!.
For the second question, yes, I do make an initial outline for the novel!. Writing in a stream-of-consciousness style or by a "wing and a prayer" seldom leads to successful writing!. However, having said that, you will discover that once you start the actual writing sudden ideas will pop in your head!. And, as strange as it sounds, you will find your characters saying and doing things that you did not expect them to do!. Weigh these sudden ideas and happenings carefully!. Quite often you will find they are better than your original thoughts and unblock snags that formed in your story!. But sometimes, after careful reflection, you will see they add nothing!. You must pick and choose as you see fit!. This is all part of the adventure and fun of writing!.
And, now that I think about it, that pretty much answers your third question, as well!.
I wish you the best of luck in your future writing endeavors!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

1!. Yes, I like to read my own work for pure enjoyment!. Once I've got it where I want it - edited several times - I will set it aside for at least a week!. Then I reread it!. If I really like it, I then start the submission process!. However, I confess that more often than not I end up editing it yet again because I'm seeing it with a fresh eye and find things that just don't flow!.

2!. I make an outline only if I've got the complete story in my mind!. That happens about half the time!. The rest of the time, I just start writing and see where it takes me!. The ones that are outlined are most productive and usually make it to the submission phase!. The others get mulled around for a bit longer and sometimes end up in another story!. Of the two, the just writing style is the one I enjoy the most!. Thank goodness I don't make my living by writing, because its the writing process that pleases me most - not the selling side!.

3!. When I outline, I start with about 5 one line sentences that show the start, middle and end!. Then I start filling in between each major event!. Then I go back and put in side stories!. I find 3x5 cards work best to start this rough out!. I don't go to the computer until I've got it down to about 50 cards!.

Have fun!. Writing is great!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

1!. I kind of do both at the same time: I usually re-read it and edit at the same time!. I consider it more important to edit and revise my own stuff though, so I focus on that!. The problem is, because I go over it many many times, the content of what I'm writing actually gets boring the umpteenth time over!. So in the end it isn't much fun to read it because I've already re-read it so many damn times! But of course there is great satisfaction with the finished product!.
2!. I like to pay attention to structure and form, and those who pay close attention to structure and form like to make outlines to guide them through the creative process!.
3!. It looks something like:
1!. ------
a)----
b)----
c)-----
2!. !.!.!.and so on!.
If its an essay, I add tentative conclusions and thesis that I often revise!. If it's fiction, I have an entirely different outline that looks nothing like the above!. However, it is so individualized and uniquely suited to the way my mind works that I can't easily explain it to others!. To others it basically looks like a non-sensical mess, lol, and not really an outline at all---which, now that I think of it, maybe really isn't!Www@QuestionHome@Com

1!. I do often read my work just for fun!. Usually by that point I've edited a bazillion times so I do enjoy the moment when I can just look back at my work and enjoy it!.

2!. I usually don't make an outline beforehand!. I have the idea and just go with the flow!. I do make outlines during!. Once I've finished a chapter, I outline it!. It makes it easier for that time when I finally decide to submit to a publisher or editor!.

3!. When I outline, I usually just skim through the chapter, relating any points that I feel are important!. I think I probably imagine more is important than truly is, but since an outline is for my own personal benefit, it doesn't really matter!.

*edit*
For those who say you can't be a serious writer or have a cohesive story without an essay, some of the best loved authors write free form----Stephen King and Nora Roberts for example!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

yes i do read it for both edit and fun
its hard to make an outline cause it takes a long time thinking about it
but if you wanna make one just try to think what was your books about !? what was the purpose of the book !? and what do you wanna tell others about your own book !?Www@QuestionHome@Com

1) yes and no!. i do go back and read it TO edit it, but it is a little like reading a real book!.
2) no!. i do not like making outlines!. i just write and add in what i want as i go!. it works fine!.Www@QuestionHome@Com