Great article. I won't start a novel or short story unless I have an ending first (based on the character arc of my protagonist, before/after), then I work backwards from that point with character profiles, chapter outlines, research etc.

Also, as a fellow believer, after seeing this piece you wrote, I'm going to give my novel Peaceful Quiet Lives a shameless plug, as I think it might interest you (the link is to a piece on my blog with more details).

Thanks again for your article.