Fiction or non-fiction?

When I’m writing something for work (decidedly non-fiction), whether it’s a one page report or a ten page research, I diagram the points I want to make and how I want to get there. Even a technical report is, to some degree, telling a story. Once I know my milestones – the points and decisions I have to make, then I do my writing.

I never write fiction, so I can’t speak to the efficacy of diagrams for that purpose. I would imagine they could be useful,but I have no experience.

I can see how it would be useful, such as if you are writing a story with several different subplots, or if you’re brain storming different ways to have your story go.

My index cards on the wall method is much like a flow chart.

I believe you will have to decide for yourself. What works for some will not necessarily work for you. I would recommend to try out everything you come across until something “sticks”.

I am not bothered and often helped by diagrams in technical writing. I have even seen it used to effect in complex narrative fiction such as Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings. I see diagrams used more often in non-fiction technical writing.

I think they probably resemble “story boards” that Hollywood writers seem to just love and consider essential when plotting out series episodes…

Personally, I think outlining in general can really get in the way of actual writing. It tends to supplant it. You plan plan plan, as a way to avoid the hard work of producing mediocre material that must then be polished…