Obviously, I have written stories before without any plan, etc, mainly fanfictions and short stories, but as I read more about plotting and plot beats, I really started enjoying more and more the period when I build the outline of the book.
I love thinking about the plot nodes, looking for connections and the ways to reinforce the story so it becomes balanced and have enough ups and downs and character development.
Having an outline gives me confidence that it will be a story I am going to be proud of, that it wonāt just fizzle out or disappoint me 30K words in!
I know that when I have low points in writing I will look at my plot beats and see the huge focal points ahead, and how it will all come together.
I know that I had put good work into the bones of the story and it inspires me to create a scene after scene to bring my vision to life.
As a reader, I admire clever, tight plots so as a writer I aspire to create them. I donāt feel that I can do it without a plan.
Another thing is, I hate to edit, so the closer I can write my 2-3 drafts to the envisioned final, the happier I am!
I deeply resent the opinion that planning, plotting and using plot beats make writing uninspired or formulaic.