DISCOVER YOUR WRITING STYLE

Writing Without an Outline

I start writing a novel with only a vague understanding of where it will lead. My seat-of-the-pants approach is due to my reluctance to try an outline. Writers like me are commonly called Pantsers while those who plan ahead before they write are called Plotters. Sketching an outline is cringeworthy in my mind and I much prefer jumping right in with some general ideas of what I want to write, giving my imagination free rein to take the story wherever it will go.

Finding the Middle Ground

Some writers are somewhere in the middle, making a loose outline and fleshing in the details until they have a completed book. But my method is to start with a few core ideas about a character in a situation and mull over the possibilities until the story takes shape. The initial thoughts give flower to other ideas in a natural progression that forms a story. I insert obstacles along the way, asking “what could go wrong?” Many of these are just minor impediments but some turn out to be major plot points, changing the course of the narrative. I find writing this way stimulating, discovering as much in the process as a reader who later reads book.

The Dangers of Pantsing

But the danger in not knowing where you are going is you might find yourself in a dead end. For example, the plot could bog down with the internal struggles of a character in crisis and this might not work in an action thriller. I’ve thrown out whole chapters when it became apparent the story arc was going contrary to the purpose of the book. This is one of the hazards for the Pantser, having to do a lot of rewriting that could have been avoided with a plan.

Lessons From the First Book

Something similar happened in my first book where I gave in to an unfettered imagination, each idea prompting another step in the fictitious journey. This led to several story lines going in different directions, creating several plots that I held onto, melding them into a somewhat complex novel.

Serendipity and Surprises

But there can be benefits for the Pantser when an unrestrained imagination may produce startling results, even instances of serendipity. In my latest book when I had to start over and write a new action sequence, a genuine villain was born, becoming a major character in the story. The rewrite had fundamentally changed the original idea for the book but it remained a solid action thriller.

What Makes a Thriller

There are many attributes that put a book in the thriller category, some shared with the mystery genre. Whereas a mystery is set on solving a crime that has already occurred, the thriller is based on the premise of a sequence of crimes, evoking various sensations in the reader such as tension, dread, and suspense. There is the sense of a ticking clock, knowing something bad is coming and bracing for the impact. For optimal effect, these elements must be properly positioned.

The Importance of Pacing

A critical aspect of the thriller genre is what is called pacing. My latest thriller has more action sequences than its predecessor but no novel can be nonstop action from start to finish. There must be time for the reader to catch their breath, reflect and wind down. These changes in momentum refer to pacing and if done properly these sequences of action with intervals of rest keep the reader engaged from cover to cover.

A New Approach for the Future

After writing two novels and studying reviews of my books, I’ve concluded it will be better to modify my approach and include a degree of planning for my next effort. Whereas the previous novels took about a year to complete I now plan on spending several months of preliminary work before actually starting the next one. This will include detailed character sketches of the main players and a solid outline of the novel. Once this is done, I’ll revert to my Pantser persona and begin writing.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

J. L. Askew is an award-winning author and a lifelong bibliophile. With a psychology degree from the University of Memphis, he had careers in social work and the medical industry. After writing the non-fiction “War in the Mountains” on the Civil War, Askew wrote “Alaska Deadly”, a mystery thriller. The sequel, “Alaska Bloodlust”, has a release date of September 9, 2025. Single and with no pets, Askew enjoys all aspects of writing, especially connecting with readers and sending out notes of thanks.

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ALASKA BLOODLUST

His nightmare is real and it’s here with a knife!

Private Eye Race Warren barely survived a deadly case in Alaska. Now back in Tennessee, he discovers his ordeal isn’t over-people are dying, and the evil he faced in the North Slope has followed him. A psychotic cult leader is out for revenge, and Warren is the only one who can stop him.

As bodies stack up, violent clashes force Warren to push his nemesis back to Alaska. But before he leaves, he meets someone-putting her in the sights of the diabolical killer. With all that he loves at stake, Warren returns to the frozen wasteland for a final, bloody showdown.

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