Outlining

I. Introduction
         A. Some authors outline everything extensively until every single scene is completely mapped out.
                          1. For example: Brandon Sanderson.
         B. This is the opposite of Discovery Writing, where no outline is used at all.
                          1. Discovery writing will be addressed in a different post.
                          2. Some writers use either method exclusively. Others often use a mix.
II. The Pros of Outlining
         A. Outliners generally have an easier time getting to the end of their books.
         B. It saves time. Discovery writing generally takes much longer.
         C. It makes foreshadowing possible in the first draft.
         D. It allows authors to solve problems with the plot before they've started writing.
         E. Outliners generally have to write less drafts.
III. The Cons of Outlining
        A. Some writers lose excitement for a work when they know exactly what's happening.
        B. The writing sometimes comes off more forced, and less organic.
        C. The book can turn out bad if the outline controls and forces the direction of the characters and not   the other way around.
        D. Writing outlines aren't very fun. There is a lot of shifting, and a lot of time spent trying to get margins and letters to cooperate.
        E. Outliners might develop world builders disease, and spend so much time outlining that they never actually write the book, or blog post that they have planned.
IV. Solutions for Outliners who want to become discovery writers.
        A. Don't do anything like this post.
        B. Try not outlining the plot at all. Just outline the characters, and go from there.
        C. Throw away your planner. This probably won't help you, but there are some garbage men who suffer from a deficiency in good reading material, who would really appreciate this.
V. Conclusion
       A. Epic outliners are epic.
       B. Nothing ventured, nothing purchased for insanely low prices at garage sales.