I'm into a heavy edit of my novel that I wrote during NaNoWriMo last November, and I have to say that I think I have forsaken my pantser days forever! Because I knew I wouldn't have much time for the actual writing, I outlined and did in-depth character sketches in the month beforehand, unlike my usual, 'hey look, now we're on page 82, what's going to happen here?'
It has absolutely paid off in the ease and gentle beauty of editing. Loose ends are at a minimum, and I can concentrate on tightening grammar and storyline.
How does everyone else feel about outlining in advance?
I am in the midst of revising my YA fantasy novel. I started with a rough outline to help get a handle on the overall scope of the book. I think it helps as a quick roadmap. I also use my outline as a place to drop notes, thoughts and research which I can then use when I get to that chapter. Otherwise, I was finding that I would lose track of those things.
