Working on my third book now, I think I've settled into a method that works for me. I start at the beginning and write straight through to about the midpoint of the book. By this point, I've introduced everyone and everything and have layered in all the threads I need. The story changes as I write it, so by chapter six I may be writing as though there were a completely different chapter two than physically exists at that time.
At the halfway point, I make a rough outline of the rest (more of a bullet point list of key phrases) to make sure I know about where I'm going, then start writing again, usually as I start doing revisions on the beginning parts to make it synch up again.
I've got a couple other writers with whom I trade the words as they're being written -- not for critique or anything, but we keep each other honest and give encouragement (or scolding) when someone's output starts to slack. It's nice being accountable to other people.
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Date: 2008-11-19 04:55 pm (UTC)At the halfway point, I make a rough outline of the rest (more of a bullet point list of key phrases) to make sure I know about where I'm going, then start writing again, usually as I start doing revisions on the beginning parts to make it synch up again.
I've got a couple other writers with whom I trade the words as they're being written -- not for critique or anything, but we keep each other honest and give encouragement (or scolding) when someone's output starts to slack. It's nice being accountable to other people.