I’m trying to write a novel. Have been, on and off (mostly off), since I could write. I think my continued failure can be blamed on a lack of adequate planning and an excess of self-criticism. <- (See how nice that sentence is? I could definitely write a novel, right?) I just realized this month that most of my writing attempts fail because I can’t figure out what’s supposed to happen next in the story. Don’t ask me why, but I never realized that this was a result of me not planning the story ahead of time. I usually just start writing, creating the plot as I go on a whim. It can be fun in some ways, since you have the opportunity to do absolutely anything you desire with the story, but (for me) it always ends with a gridlock. I arrive at a juncture in the story where it could either go in many directions, or I write myself into a corner with no foreseeable exit. The now obvious solution is to create a detailed outline and work from it. Problem solved? Almost. I’m encountering a similar problem with creating the outline—all I’ve done is moved my story-killing moments of writer’s block to the prewriting stage. I still reach that same juncture where I have no idea what to do, I just reach it in far fewer words.

So I have a dilemma. When I reach such a juncture, do I scrap the outline and give up, or do I stare at the outline hoping to be struck by inspiration? Do I bug Laura to come up with a brilliant solution? Do I employ a tacky deux ex machina? (I’ve always wanted to use that phrase!) For right now I guess I’ll go with starting over. If I find a better solution, you will personally be the first to know. Whoever you are.