Every time I attend an author event, there is always the attempt to separate authors into the two camps of those who meticulously outline and those that write completely by the seat-of-the-pants, affectionately known as ‘pantsers’.
I sat and listened to the virtues of these two camps and decided that I am firmly planted in a third camp. I don’t outline every chapter, but I do like a road map. I consider my method more visual and less rigid than outlining, but, to continue the road map analogy, I don’t like to just get in the car and go in whatever direction the road takes me.
I do let my characters and their personalities drive within the conscripts of my loose road map, but I don’t confine them to one road. If they want to take the scenic route, I’m open to that.
So, how does this process work, I’ll…
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Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog 
Thanks for sharing this, Chris.
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Welcome, Don 😃
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I’ve always wanted to try mind-mapping and love the look of that cork board! I must outline; I rarely am a ‘panster’. Just the way my mind works.
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I don’t think there is a right or wrong way if the end product is good. I’m a hybrid and I think the mind mapping technique helps me stay on course with the flexibility to deviate.
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Agreed. I’ve done it both ways, but planning is what works for me.
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Always a fascinating area for comparison. To premeditate or not to.
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I agree. In my business writing, an outline is much more important for me as there is often a page limit and little room for heading down rabbit holes.
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A bit frustrating, but then most rabbit holes simply contain rabbits.
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