--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never work from an outline, and often I…" description: "\"I never work from an outline, and often I don't know how the story will end.\" — Patricia MacLachlan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/159/patricia-maclachlan-14887_end_i-never-work-from-an-outline-and-often-i_699590.jpg" --- # I never work from an outline, and often I don't know how… ![“I never work from an outline, and often I don't know how the story will end.” quote by Patricia MacLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/159/patricia-maclachlan-14887_end_i-never-work-from-an-outline-and-often-i_699590.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/159/patricia-maclachlan-14887_end_i-never-work-from-an-outline-and-often-i_699590.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/159/patricia-maclachlan-14887_end_i-never-work-from-an-outline-and-often-i_699590.jpg) > “I never work from an outline, and often I don't know how the story will end.” [Patricia MacLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-maclachlan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creativity can thrive without rigid plans; uncertainty can lead to unexpected outcomes. **In simple terms:** Creativity can be unplanned. Key Takeaway Embrace uncertainty. Themes creativity spontaneity process Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type practical inspirational When to use this quote - writing - artistic projects - problem solving Key Concepts narrative flow improvisation Questions to Reflect On - Do you fear the unknown in creation? - How can you balance planning and spontaneity? A Different Perspective Lack of structure may cause chaos or missed deadlines. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [I never work from an outline, and often I dont know how the story will end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-maclachlan/i-never-work-from-an-outline-and-often-i-dont-know-how-the-story-will/) [Patricia MacLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-maclachlan/) > [I never outline. I don't work from an outline. I have no idea where the book is going. I mean, even two-thirds of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/i-never-outline-i-don-t-work-from-an-outline-i-have-no-idea-where-the/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [I don't outline at all; I don't find it useful, and I don't like the way it boxes me in. I like the element…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khaled-hosseini/i-don-t-outline-at-all-i-don-t-find-it-useful-and-i-don-t-like-the/) [Khaled Hosseini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khaled-hosseini/) > [I really don't keep an outline; I don't organize in any way. I just write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-kwan/i-really-don-t-keep-an-outline-i-don-t-organize-in-any-way-i-just/) [Kevin Kwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-kwan/) > [I always work from an outline, so I know all the of the broad events and some of the finer details before I begin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/i-always-work-from-an-outline-so-i-know-all-the-of-the-broad-events/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [I always work from an outline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mlynowski/i-always-work-from-an-outline/) [Sarah Mlynowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mlynowski/) > [I always work from outline and almost always write out of sequence. It just works for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-s-kemp/i-always-work-from-outline-and-almost-always-write-out-of-sequence-it/) [Paul S. Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-s-kemp/) > [Because I don’t work with an outline, writing a story is like crossing a stream, now I’m on this rock, now I’m on this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-beattie/because-i-don-t-work-with-an-outline-writing-a-story-is-like-crossing/) [Ann Beattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-beattie/) > [Partly because of the way I write - I don't work with an outline or in a straight line. I work where I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/partly-because-of-the-way-i-write-i-don-t-work-with-an-outline-or-in/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [The more work you put in on your outline and getting the skeleton of your story right, the easier the process is later.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-goddard/the-more-work-you-put-in-on-your-outline-and-getting-the-skeleton-of/) [Drew Goddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-goddard/) > [I don't work with an outline, except a vague one in my head, a general idea of character, place, arc... I'm like a composer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/said-sayrafiezadeh/i-don-t-work-with-an-outline-except-a-vague-one-in-my-head-a-general/) [Said Sayrafiezadeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/said-sayrafiezadeh/) > [I've found that in fiction - and this is just the kind of writer I am - I can't really work from an outline.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/i-ve-found-that-in-fiction-and-this-is-just-the-kind-of-writer-i-am-i/) [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) > [I don't plot the books out ahead of time, I don't plan them. I don't begin at the beginning and end at the end.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-don-t-plot-the-books-out-ahead-of-time-i-don-t-plan-them-i-don-t/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [Writing is difficult. It's a time commitment, it's labor and I'd have to get myself to sit down and actually do the work and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/busy-philipps/writing-is-difficult-it-s-a-time-commitment-it-s-labor-and-i-d-have/) [Busy Philipps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/busy-philipps/) > [Every story has an end but in life, every ending is just a new beginning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-story-has-an-end-but-in-life-every-ending-is-just-a-new/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Patricia MacLachlan > [Each time I write a new piece, whether a novel, a picture book, a speech or anything, really, it has so much to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-maclachlan/each-time-i-write-a-new-piece-whether-a-novel-a-picture-book-a-speech/) [Patricia MacLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-maclachlan/) > [I love to talk to children about making mistakes. Its important that I tell them about how I dont get it right the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-maclachlan/i-love-to-talk-to-children-about-making-mistakes-its-important-that-i/) [Patricia MacLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-maclachlan/) > [My greatest fear is being somewhere without a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-maclachlan/my-greatest-fear-is-being-somewhere-without-a-book/) [Patricia MacLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-maclachlan/) > [I have great respect for children. And I have great respect for their ability as writers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-maclachlan/i-have-great-respect-for-children-and-i-have-great-respect-for-their/) [Patricia MacLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-maclachlan/) > [You should know that there are some things for which there are no answers, no matter how beautiful the words may be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-maclachlan/you-should-know-that-there-are-some-things-for-which-there-are-no/) [Patricia MacLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-maclachlan/) > [“Sadness is Steam rising Tears falling A breath you take in But can't let out As hard as you try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-maclachlan/sadness-is-steam-rising-tears-falling-a-breath-you-take-in-but-can-t/) [Patricia MacLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-maclachlan/) > [I think it's important to remember where I began. I know that when I talk to other writers, say, writers from the South or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-maclachlan/i-think-it-s-important-to-remember-where-i-began-i-know-that-when-i/) [Patricia MacLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-maclachlan/) > [“Where else," I will say, "does an old turtle crossing the path Make all the difference in the world?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-maclachlan/where-else-i-will-say-does-an-old-turtle-crossing-the-path-make-all/) [Patricia MacLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-maclachlan/) > [“Byrd: It is important because we are giving her something to take away with her when she goes. Lalo: What will she take with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-maclachlan/byrd-it-is-important-because-we-are-giving-her-something-to-take-away/) [Patricia MacLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-maclachlan/) > [I'm working on a bunch of things with my daughter Emily. In some ways, she's a smarter and better editor than I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-maclachlan/i-m-working-on-a-bunch-of-things-with-my-daughter-emily-in-some-ways/) [Patricia MacLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-maclachlan/) > [“There are always things to miss," said Maggie. "No matter where you are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-maclachlan/there-are-always-things-to-miss-said-maggie-no-matter-where-you-are/) [Patricia MacLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-maclachlan/) > [My inspiration for writing is all the wonderful books that I read as a child and that I still read. I think that for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-maclachlan/my-inspiration-for-writing-is-all-the-wonderful-books-that-i-read-as/) [Patricia MacLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-maclachlan/) > [“...there are some things for which there are no answers, no matter how beautiful the words may be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-maclachlan/there-are-some-things-for-which-there-are-no-answers-no-matter-how/) [Patricia MacLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-maclachlan/) > [Life is made up of circles ... Life is not a straight line ... And sometimes we circle back to a past time. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-maclachlan/life-is-made-up-of-circles-life-is-not-a-straight-line-and-sometimes/) [Patricia MacLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-maclachlan/) > [I think what happens is you write how you grew up. And I was born on the prairie, and so everything is kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-maclachlan/i-think-what-happens-is-you-write-how-you-grew-up-and-i-was-born-on/) [Patricia MacLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-maclachlan/) [Explore all 45 Patricia MacLachlan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-maclachlan/) ## More End quotes > [When I was trying to come up with a stage name, I thought 'Lord' was super rad, but really masculine - ever since I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorde/when-i-was-trying-to-come-up-with-a-stage-name-i-thought-lord-was/) [Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorde/) > [I feel I handle the pressure situations well, and that's why I want to be there at the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ab-de-villiers/i-feel-i-handle-the-pressure-situations-well-and-that-s-why-i-want-to/) [AB de Villiers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ab-de-villiers/) > [Dating someone on the opposite end of the happy spectrum teaches you an incredible amount of patience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pine/dating-someone-on-the-opposite-end-of-the-happy-spectrum-teaches-you/) [Chris Pine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pine/) > [I ask for tips, for advice. What I have also learnt is that I need to do things that are good for me. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthijs-de-ligt/i-ask-for-tips-for-advice-what-i-have-also-learnt-is-that-i-need-to/) [Matthijs de Ligt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthijs-de-ligt/) > [“You are the end of beauty and creativity one must have created so far.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/you-are-the-end-of-beauty-and-creativity-one-must-have-created-so-far/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [I calculated that if I live up to the age of 80, then I end up using 450 toothbrushes in my life. All that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dia-mirza/i-calculated-that-if-i-live-up-to-the-age-of-80-then-i-end-up-using/) [Dia Mirza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dia-mirza/) > [Obviously, I want to win, but at the same time, at the end of the day, it's a game and that's what I'm going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-rendon/obviously-i-want-to-win-but-at-the-same-time-at-the-end-of-the-day-it/) [Anthony Rendon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-rendon/) > [I loved Twitter. But I was going to end up saying something that would get me into trouble. I have kept a clean nose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/micah-richards/i-loved-twitter-but-i-was-going-to-end-up-saying-something-that-would/) [Micah Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/micah-richards/) > [I'm a humanist at heart: at the end of the day, we are all human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chet-faker/i-m-a-humanist-at-heart-at-the-end-of-the-day-we-are-all-human-beings/) [Chet Faker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chet-faker/) > [At the end of the day, winning games is the only thing that matters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/at-the-end-of-the-day-winning-games-is-the-only-thing-that-matters/) [Fred VanVleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-vanvleet/) > [Fossil fuels, including oil, are running out and supplies are getting harder to find. If we do nothing, prices will continue to rise and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-powell/fossil-fuels-including-oil-are-running-out-and-supplies-are-getting/) [Lucy Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-powell/) > [My best business decision was to be independent as a musician and artist. My worst was compromising on certain aspects of a deal for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ziggy-marley/my-best-business-decision-was-to-be-independent-as-a-musician-and/) [Ziggy Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ziggy-marley/) > [Regular panelists on shows can be terrifying. They own that space, and many guest comics suspect they are favoured in the edit, while their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/regular-panelists-on-shows-can-be-terrifying-they-own-that-space-and/) [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) > [Our ape legs make us great generalists - we can walk, run and climb. 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