My cousin told me to stop planning my novel and just write the first line

We were at a diner in Chicago last weekend and I was explaining my whole worldbuilding doc. He just cut me off and said, 'The only world that matters is the one you put on the page.' It hit different because I've been stuck for months making maps and histories. Now I'm thinking maybe the big plan is the problem. Do you guys outline everything first or just start writing?

3 comments

3 Comments

green.jenny29d ago

Your cousin is right but also that's the kind of advice that makes me want to throw a fry at someone. I have a whole folder called "planning" that's just me avoiding the scary blank page. The maps are fun, but they don't write chapter one for you.

henderson.hugo28d ago

Ever feel like your planning folder is just a really fancy way to procrastinate?

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jessicab7024d ago

Actually, that planning folder is the only reason I ever start writing. Getting my world straight first means I don't freeze up later. It's not procrastination, it's building the runway.