Pro tip: Switch from detailed outlines to loose scene cards for plotting

I used to spend like 3 hours mapping out every chapter beat for my fantasy novel. It made the actual writing feel dead and predictable. Then about 6 months ago I tried just jotting down 3-5 bullet points per scene on index cards. Now I leave room to discover stuff as I go - my dialog feels way more natural. Have any of you tried ditching the strict outline method and just going with the flow?

2 comments

2 Comments

wright.cole19h ago

Hear you on the dead feeling. I switched to scene cards for my mystery novel and it's like the story gets to breathe a bit more. My characters started saying things I never planned which made the whole thing feel Alive again.

noahs8217h ago

Friend of mine tried scene cards and said the same thing @wright.cole.