No one gets to tell you how to be a writer. Some writers spend a specific amount of time, every day, working on their craft. And some writers, let a story percolate before they put a word on paper. No one way is best. You have to decide for yourself what way works.

I like outlining and writing by the seat of my pants. Outlining helps me know a few things about the story before I start writing. And then there are parts of the story that surprise me because it wasn't planned.