Hi everyone,
So I have planned out a scene in my "work in progress" and was wondering would it be okay to write out this scene even though I haven't truly outlined the rest of my book? In all honesty I'll most probably write the scene anyway because its doing my nut in hahaha :)
I agree with both Trent and Kate. I'm not a writer who pens the logical progression of my stories from start to finish. I think it's imperative to write down a scene while it's still fresh in my mind. As long as you have an organised system for where your scenes are filed when you finally come to slot them into your chapters, it's an exciting way to write. It means you're writing what you want to, rather than getting stuck on how to make a link flow from one scene to the next. I often write the last chapter of my books before chapter four or five. To help me organise this, I keep a chapter outline with numbered or named scene titles (somewhat like the Scrivener method.) It also gives you the freedom to move scenes around if they don't quite fit in the chapter you originally planned. When it comes to editing, well, you could be counting the drafts on your fingers AND toes.
Nothing wrong with writing the scene down and then going back to the planning stage. If there is a bit that you are particularly inspired to write, then it is better to get it down now just to see if you can use it later.
You can write your first draft whatever way you want. Write backwards whilst balanced on your head and gargling if you want.
It'll all get sorted out in the re-writes.
(Note the plural).