I'm a great believer in outlines

I'm a great believer in outlines

Tom Wolfe, the iconic American author and journalist, was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his unique writing style. One of the key elements of Wolfe's writing process was his reliance on outlines. In fact, Wolfe once famously said, "I'm a great believer in outlines."

For Wolfe, outlines were not just a tool for organizing his thoughts and ideas, but a crucial part of his creative process. He believed that a well-structured outline was the foundation upon which a successful piece of writing could be built. By carefully planning out the structure of his work in advance, Wolfe was able to ensure that his writing was clear, coherent, and engaging.

Wolfe's commitment to outlines was evident in his approach to writing both fiction and non-fiction. In his groundbreaking works of New Journalism, such as "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test" and "The Right Stuff," Wolfe used detailed outlines to map out the narrative arc of his stories and to guide his research and reporting. By outlining his work in advance, Wolfe was able to create immersive, vividly detailed portraits of his subjects and their worlds.

In his fiction, such as "The Bonfire of the Vanities" and "A Man in Full," Wolfe's outlines served as roadmaps for the complex, multi-layered plots and characters that were his trademark. By carefully plotting out the twists and turns of his stories in advance, Wolfe was able to create novels that were both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.

Wolfe's dedication to outlines was not just a practical matter, but a reflection of his deep respect for the craft of writing. He understood that writing was a discipline that required careful planning, attention to detail, and a willingness to revise and refine one's work. By embracing outlines as a fundamental part of his writing process, Wolfe was able to produce some of the most influential and enduring works of literature of his time.