When I write, I tend to write by the seat of my pants with no outline and very little direction when I start. It’s not because I can’t write an outline though. I’ve found that when I have an outline, I tend to attempt to stick to my original formula and that doesn’t always work and it’s also an easy way for me to get blocks.

If I don’t do an outline, then I know—at least subconsciously—that I can take the story anywhere the characters want to go. Since I have no preset destination in mind, I don’t have to try to force my characters to fit into a mold, and believe me, if your book is forced, the readers will feel it.

With that in mind, I try to let the characters drag me where they want to go and in the end, I think I have a better finished product for it.

What about you, do you do outlines, or are you a pantser, do you let your characters run amok or do you force them to conform to your idea of what they should be?

I would really like to know.

Until next time…

Tags: blogging, eXtasy books, plotter or pantser, seven wicked writers, Tianna Xander, writing