It's rarely logical, too. So, creating an outline is good for organizing your thoughts – but you first must have the thoughts there to organize. Inspiration doesn't play by those rules.

And that's a good thing!

My advice: create a directory or "holding pen" for any and all ideas related to your story. it can be as simple as a bullet point jotted down on a sticky note, or it can be an entire chapter. Just get the ideas, thoughts, plot points, action scenes, etc., written down. Think of them as jigsaw puzzle pieces – and the outline are those pieces that make up the outer edge.

Once you have the pieces, then creating the picture will be possible. Believe it or not, you already have this "slush pile" of ideas. It's already taking up space in your mind. But your mind being logical (somewhat) is trying to organize and make sense of the story. It's working with what it's got – so give it more to work with.

Everyone's creative process is different. There's no "right way" – only a right way that works for you.

Now, if only I could follow my own advice…