The Importance of Planning – Iris Murdoch QUOTES FOR WRITERS
I think it is important to make a detailed plan before you write the first sentence. Some people think one should write, George woke up and knew that something terrible had happened yesterday, and then see what happens. I plan the whole thing in detail before I begin. I have a general scheme and lots of notes. Every chapter is planned. Every conversation is planned. This is, of course, a primary stage, and very frightening because you’ve committed yourself at this point. I mean, a novel is a long job, and if you get it wrong at the start you’re going to be very unhappy later on.
Iris Murdoch The Paris Review Summer 1990
Picture CrediT: congerdesign from Pixabay
4 comments on “The Importance of Planning – Iris Murdoch QUOTES FOR WRITERS”
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I agree. I have a general plan, and then write 100 words about each chapter 6 chapters ahead. No more; because the characters are too inclined to change things, and then I have to replan.
That’s interesting & I get what you mean about the characters taking off in new directions.
i’ve never undertaken a novel, but it seems liek good advice
Everyone seems to have their own way of doing it – but this does seem worth copying