Writing Nexus

Blog: Novel Planning and Workflow

Practical guidance on planning, outlining, and structuring a novel before and during the drafting process.

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Novel Planning and Workflow

How Much Should You Plan Before You Start Writing a Novel?

Most writers treat planning and pantsing as a personality test, but the real question is more practical: how much do you need to know before chapter one to avoid rewriting the whole thing later? The answer depends less on your style and more on where your story is most likely to break.

Nexa August 5, 2026 6 min

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