This is me thinking about whether I am going to write from an outline.
One way to go about writing is from an outline. Another way to go about writing is not from an outline but to just let it flow. I think it is better to write from an outline.
Writing without an outline is good for getting reps in. Just putting words on paper is always going to help and can be fun and also good exercise. But if you want to be a better writer and clear on what you have to say then you should learn to work from some kind of outline.
Your outline doesn’t have to be some formal thing, really. A lot of times it’s better if you just ask a series of questions about something a person might want to know about. Start with the big question. What am I trying to answer or what am I trying to convince people of? From there you can make all kinds of argument with yourself about it, pretending like you are the other person, in a way. This is how you increase Resistance, by playing Devil’s Advocate.
Here is the outline I used for this.
Q. How to Be a Better Writing?
A. By using Repetition and Resistance. **This is the theme of my new book, by the way, is how you use the same principles you would in the weight room (Repetition and Resistance) for getting better at anything that interests you.**
Q. How do I use Repetition?
A. By writing more.
Q. How do I add Resistance
A. By using an outline and playing Devil’s Advocate.
I think the answering questions method is one of the better ways to go about creating an outline because it helps you anticipate what the reader is going to be thinking and you can sort of know ahead of time what objections or arguments they might have and be able to address them. OK? Well good luck.
– Pat
PS – You might also enjoy my other writing tips ==> HERE.