stack of books and open notebook. Label: Quotation

Quotation: On Outlining a Novel

With a nod to NaNoWriMo, this month’s quotations focus on how novelists approach the process of creating a novel. Last week featured two quotations from writers who don’t outline their novels, so it’s only fair to include a representative from the other side of the issue here:


photo: headshot

“I do a very concise outline. Part of that is because I’m a control freak. I need to have a map. I like to cross things off and feel like I’m making progress. I do let myself wander from the outline, if need be. I’m fine with that because I know I have a map.”

Rachel Howzell Hall

Hall has some specific advice, including software and an editing system she uses, and I strongly encourage you to read through the whole interview for an overview of how she approaches the process of writing a novel. And there are photos, including a cat and a dog.

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