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January 16, 2026Should I Plan or Just Start Writing? A Simple Guide
If you are thinking “Should I plan or just start writing?”, you are not alone, it is one of the most common questions that beginner writers ask. This is a problem that nearly every beginner has when starting their writing journey. The simple answer is to do both in a light and flexible manner.Planning provides direction, while getting started provides momentum. If you only plan, you may never begin. If you just start writing, you may lose direction.
If you tend to overthink, focus more on writing first. If you are the type of person who often gets lost in the middle, take a little more time to plan. Adjust according to what is slowing you down.
Many beginners have problems figuring out how to begin writing, especially if they have no idea whether they should plan or just start writing. The best way that a beginner should do this is to start a rough outline and then just jump right into writing. This helps to keep things balanced and helps you to stay focused and not overthink anything.
Planning also helps you develop a simple three-act structure for your story.
What does it mean by that?
The difference between planning and just getting started is the difference between structure and action.
- Planning means making a rough outline of your story/topic and simple notes/sketches of how you want to present it.
- Writing means throwing yourself in and not thinking about it too much, letting your ideas flow and not stopping to edit your mistakes, since editing comes later.
For beginners, there are both sides to overplanning as well as not planning anything at all. Overplanning may leave you stuck and no planning at all may cause confusion. Instead of deciding on one or the other, try this, Plan lightly, write freely. This takes away pressure without taking away direction. Think of planning like a map and writing like the actual journey.
Writers typically fall into one of two categories: planners and discovery writers (also known as 'pantsers'). Planners prefer structure before they begin, while discovery writers figure things out as they go. Most beginners do best somewhere in the middle. Now that you know why balance matters, let's see how to do it step by step.
How to Plan and Just Start Writing (Step by Step).
If you are searching or looking for an easy step by step way of getting started writing as a beginner, this method will assist. Here’s a simple and easy method that you can follow as a beginner.
Step 1: Figuring Your Topic (1-2 minutes)
Don’t overthink, just ask,
- What type of story do I want to write?
- Who is the main character?
- What problem or goal will they have?
Example: A shy and afraid girl discovers a mysterious key that will open any door.
Step 2: Prepare a Quick Outline (5 minutes)
Don't overcomplicate it. Keep it to just 3–5 points for your story.
Example:
Beginning—A shy and and afraid girl finds a key in her grandma’s trunk box.
Problem—She discovers the key can open any door, creating a dangerous situation.
Conflict—She opens a dangerous door.
Climax—She decides to destroy the key.
Ending— She gains confidence.
That’s enough. It doesn’t have to be perfect.
A simple rule, spend 5–10 minutes planning then at least 20–30 minutes writing. This keeps you from getting stuck in the planning mode. If you want a more in-depth guide on outlining, you can read How to Plan a Story from Beginning to End.
Step 3: Get Writing Started Immediately
Now begin writing your first draft. Remember this important rule: don't stop to edit your first draft. Just keep moving. This helps you avoid overthinking, which is very common among beginners. Focus only on the story,
- What the character wants
- What stands in their way
- How they change by the end
Step 4: Follow Your Outline (Loosely)
Your outline is just a guide. If new ideas arise, merge them in and change direction if necessary. This is where creativity comes in. If you get stuck, don't stop writing completely. Either jump ahead to the next scene or quickly make some changes to your outline. The goal is to keep moving.
Step 5: Edit After You Finish
Only after you have written the entire first draft,
- Fix grammar
- Improve clarity
- Remove unnecessary parts
Editing while you write slows your progress.
Step 6: Repeat and Improve
The more you practice the easier it gets. Over time,
- Your planning becomes quicker
- Your writing becomes more natural.
This is one of the easiest things for beginners to do to improve their writing. This approach is especially effective for beginning writers who are stuck or overwhelmed.
Examples / Mini Tips
Let’s see two simple examples to understand this in an easier way.
Example 1: Writing Without Planning
You sit down and begin writing, 'She looked at the key...'
After a few lines, you are at a loss. You don’t know what to say next. This is a sign that you need a quick outline.
Example 2: Over-Planning
You spend 30 minutes choosing the scene and thinking through every detail. But you never start writing. If you are stuck for planning, then limit this to 5–10 minutes.
Mini Tips for Beginners
Start with a rough draft and concentrate on getting it done
- Done is better than perfection.
- Write first, fix later
- Keep your outline simple
These little habits make a big difference in your writing journey.
Common Mistakes Made By Beginners
Here are a few common mistakes that beginners should try to avoid,
- Don't wait for the perfect idea. You don't need one to get started.
- Your outline is only a guide so don’t try to make it perfect.
- Focus on writing first before editing, editing early interrupts your flow.
- Each writer has a different starting point, so don’t worry about others.
- Many beginners never finish writing. Finishing builds more confidence than simply starting.
- Another common mistake is to compare yourself too soon, be consistent, not perfect.
Should You Plan or Just Get Started Writing? (Quick Answer)
If you are a beginner, the best thing is to do both.
Start with a basic outline to work with and then dive right in to writing without thinking too much about things. Planning helps you be clear and writing helps you to make progress.
The key is to stay light and flexible.
FAQ
Final Thoughts
So, do you plan or do you simply start to write?
The best answer is to do a little bit of planning and then start writing. You don’t have to have a perfect system, you just have to start.
Start small. Write often. Improve step by step.
It's completely normal not to know the answer at first. Every writer experiences this, it’s important that you don’t give up. The more that you keep going, the easier and even more enjoyable your writing becomes.
The truth is, there's no perfect way to start writing—only the way that helps you keep going. So don’t wait for the perfect plan, start small and write something today and you can get better as you go.
And if you're ready for the next step, read my guide, How to Start Writing a Book.
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