The most beautifully crafted characters in the world are missing a large part of their reality if they are devoid of conflict. The same piece of advice extends equally well to the plot of your story. Why? Conflict is what breeds motivation, what defines drama, and what draws in readers.
So, what is conflict?
The definition of [...]

Writing is a relationship between the writer and his or her idea. And like any relationship, it’s best to perform due diligence on the situation before jumping in. With respects to fiction, due diligence typically involves a great deal of prewriting, with a strong emphasis on the outline. So, before grabbing a pen or keyboard and blindly embracing your muse, here are five reasons why you should outline your story first.