I do not often follow my characters off on tangents or…
“I do not often follow my characters off on tangents or change my story on a whim. I have an outline which I follow quite sternly...for a good long while. Then it turns out in some way to be insurmountably wrong and I am forced to re-think every component. Usually at this point I throw hundreds of pages away.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
She follows a strict outline but sometimes discovers fundamental flaws, forcing massive revisions.
In simple terms: Plans can break, requiring big changes.
Key Takeaway
Stay flexible and ready to revise.
Themes
creativity
writing process
adaptability
Mood
thoughtful
pragmatic
Type
advice
process
When to use this quote
- novel drafting
- screenwriting
- research projects
Key Concepts
narrative structure
problem solving
Questions to Reflect On
- When do you trust your outline?
- How to balance structure with flexibility?
A Different Perspective
Rigid outlines may stifle spontaneity.