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Marvelman writes...
First, thank-you for doing this. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer our questions and respond to comments. I realize that it must try your patience. Many of the posters have clearly not read the rules, and many of the questions are blatant spoiler requests or have already been answered. And, as much as I hate to admit it, I may have broken the rules a few times myself.
I'm currently writing a fantasy novel for girls. I'd like to ask about the following:
1) I notice that you refer to using a board and cards. In your experience, is it better to do an outline before you start writing a novel whether it is on paper or on index cards? Some writers and writing teachers talk about finding the story as you go along. One writing teacher of mine said that he wouldn't bother writing a story if he knew how it was going to end ahead of time. (Personally, I find having an outline gives me great peace of mind, and if a better idea comes to me as I'm writing, I just change the outline.) What are your thoughts on this?
2) Another of my writing teachers recommended writing out a thirty page biography of your main character to give him or her more depth. Does this strike you as a useful exercise?
Sincerely,
Marvelman
Greg responds...
1. To each his or her own, but personally, I couldn't write anything of any length without outlining it in advance. Doesn't mean I stick to it rigidly. If better ideas come or the story wants to move in a different direction, so be it. But I need a base. I once tried writing a comic book script without outlining it in advance, and it was way more work for me, then if I had. And a comic is about the equivalent of a third of a television episode.
2. It could be. I don't know about giving a specific page count for that sort of thing. I tend to write bullet points. Things I've established, things I want to establish, etc. It's as long as it needs to be, as opposed to being a set thirty pages of prose. But again, to each his or her own.