I like to analogy of the quote with prepping. I use to think that outlining and making profiles and revising things cramped my creative style also. Now that I am figuring out you can write your story as you write you outline at the same time. It works to an extent.

While you are getting out of your comfort genre, I am beginning my very first novel with three story lines. Thought they would be a trilogy series but am now thinking they could be combined into one novel. Still working that part out.

It is nice to know that there are other writers out there who have found this to be difficult in the past but need the discipline and skeletons of the story first. Glad I'm not the only one.