Do you pre-plan your plot out or does the story just happen as your write?

I usually have an outline when I'm writing a story. When I'm brainstorming, ideas are flooding in my head and it's hard to keep them connected and comprehensible. I write all the things done, even considerations, assumption, the works. Besides, I hate to forget a good idea that can actually help me in the every aspect of the story. I try to plan and iron things out but there are times when I am writing it or shy of submitting, that I change some factors (a good reason why my stories are never finished in my opinion). If somebody like the work well enough and have some revisions as it is, I abandon or pick other ideas for use in another story or work. At least the ideas are being used. For me, it sorely depends on when a good idea comes to my head. It can be at the middle of writing or in the planning stage. If I can squeeze it when planning or while actually writing, I will squeeze it. Any idea is a a good idea as long as it works for the story.

I would like to say I write by the seat of my pants... but I get lost too easily. I only discovered this recently when I actually sat down and tried to put all the scenes in my head into some kind of sensible order that wouldn't be like Pulp Fiction gone wrong. So apparently, I need to be a pre-planner.

usually when i write, i have an overview of the story but happens the story take own course. I wonder what that kinf of person would . The characters are vivid in the write'mind and should be consistent. Some times i am distracted or walking and occurs in my mind just a phrase that the character would surely say... so. i have pick up any paper and write the sentence because if i dont write, i always forget.

Well I believe in planning your plot, but I am trying to write a novel and I just have lots of little ideas about things I could put in about the characters and their businesses/lifestyle but still have no idea of what is actually going to happen and how the plot will all go together. I thought it is better to start writing down the ideas I get until the idea of the plot finally comes to me then I could plan that out with the other bits around it.

If I am writing a novel I do create a outline. If I am doing a short storie I let it go its own way and if I get tangled and I don't see how to get to the end I have to do an outline to manuever around whatever problem I have come up against. And, even when I plan it out sometimes I change parts. Right now I am working on a love story and I can't figure how I want to end it. It has to be the natural continuation of the story and sometimes that is difficult. It think it helps alot to know your characters. Doing a characterization is very important and really helps move things around. Because I think I get bogged down when i don't know my characters and what they might do in a certain situation. So I find developing strong characterizations helps alot. And when I get it all perfect and the way I want it it is very hard to send it out into the world. Its my baby!

I like the idea of a plan. It is something to refer to if we get lost. However, the trouble with mine is they become the story. Now the characters I have more problems with. They only exist for me if I actually write about them, if it is in an outline who cares what colour their hair is, wear they live or what job they have if I don't write about that in the story. Can one have brain damage? I never got my one and only novel completed. If I start another I will finish it with or without a pre-plan. This question concerning plot I am not sure if that will ever be solid in my mind. Fine, I've come to the conclusion there is no right or wrong answer to plotting just as there many different styles of writing?

For the few times that I have tried to write a short story, I have a brief outline of the plot in my mind. But I like to let the writing go its own way - if I start writing and am suddenly veering off my planned plot a little, I allow this to happen -often its surprising where your own writing can take you once you get going!