Didn't a novel need an outline?

Answer 1

Writing a novel did not necessarily require an outline. An outline was a method of directing the author's writing. It could help the author plan the plot and characters of the story to ensure that the story would develop in the expected direction. However, if the story had a strong sense of logic and the plot had a strong sense of rhythm, then there was no need for an outline.

Sometimes, the creation of a novel might be limited by time and resources, so the author might choose to start writing directly and gradually build the plot and characters until the entire work was completed.

Of course, the outline was still a useful tool to help the author plan the development of the story and ensure the logic and rhythm of the story. When writing a novel, you can choose to use the outline or start writing directly according to your own needs and preferences.