Comments on: So You Want to Write an Outline...

By: tomwood

tomwood — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 23:56:59 +0000

For each story, I chart the Blake Snyder beats around the hero's journey circle diagram to get the big pieces in place in terms of plot. I also use Dara Marks' and Lisa Cron's story structure beats to get the character transformation beats in the same places. That way the external plot beats and the internal character beats map on top of each other all around the diagram. Once I know the central conflict and resolution, I can then create the main character who can most benefit from the journey. It starts off with what the character -thinks- they want, versus what they really need to overcome their obstacle at the beginning. The first act is about the character stating what they think will make them happy, while the second act is about challenging that assumption in an effort to bring up to consciousness a better solution. The third act is about swiveling toward that better solution and solving the conflict with the new consciousness, thereby solving the character's need as well. Each beat then gets a short paragraph that says what happens, and that becomes the outline. With this method I can test dozens to hundreds of potential story beats in the search for the best sequence.

By: lorihenriksen

lorihenriksen — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 16:41:37 +0000

I roughly outlined my first book and my second is rolling around in my brain. I'm going to start this time by writing out answers to your 3 questions--very clear, but as you say, hard to do. I read somewhere that John Irving always knows the first and last sentence of his novels before he starts writing. Not sure if he outlines the rest.

By: So You Want to Write an Outline…From the Writers in the Storm blog | Author Don Massenzio

Thu, 17 Aug 2017 11:00:07 +0000

[…] Read the rest of this post HERE. […]

By: Fae Rowen

Fae Rowen — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 06:30:27 +0000

In reply to Laura Drake. But you write so clean, Laura. You don't give us much to do. You've internalized all the lessons, classes, conference workshops, and blogs. It works for you.

By: Laura Drake

Laura Drake — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 23:22:02 +0000

In reply to tashaseegmiller. Okay, you're going to think I'm weirder yet. I write. The next morning I edit. Repeat. At the end of a chapter, I send it to my critters. Repeat. Type The End. Send it off. That's why I write so slowly. I write very c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y. And I hate editing.

By: Fae Rowen

Fae Rowen — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 22:32:18 +0000

Oh, Tasha, I'm with Laura. It took three read-throughs before I finally had read all your words. Unlike her, I typically have most of the movie of the book in my head—even though there's nothing on paper— before I start writing the first draft. However, after multiple revisions of the two books that are coming out this year, I'm thinking I'll write the next project a little differently. Thanks for giving me some ideas. (I love all colors of sticky notes, but using them like you describe, uh...)

By: littlemissw

littlemissw — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 22:10:56 +0000

I like to identify all the major plot points and fill in the blanks from there. Otherwise, I spend all my time wandering around the story and it takes me ages to make cuts and get back on track.

By: nancyrae4

nancyrae4 — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 22:05:46 +0000

Thanks for a great blog. It's come at a perilous time for me because I have two main characters, one of which is clear and centered. and the other...not so much. They will speak from alternating chapters, from the same locations one-hundred fifty + years apart. I can't believe I am even considering this, but you've reminded me how to flesh out my second character before I begin. Thanks again. Wish me luck!

By: cynnaden

cynnaden — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 19:06:00 +0000

Thanks for blogging about this.
I have been struggling with to outline or not to outline. I am a pantser but would like to incorporate some plotting techniques. My first manuscript was based on a personal experience and then took off on its own. I didn't prepare character descriptions, I just wrote. I didn't go back and outline it when I finished it (maybe I should have). I now have another manuscript that I have written character descriptions and incorporated a semblance of an outline because I found myself stuck about 20K words in. It is historical and I discovered I couldn't successfully pants it.
When I first started this journey I had no idea it would be so involved or hard. Admittedly, I have learned a great deal since embarking on this journey.
You have been very helpful.
Cyn

By: tashaseegmiller

tashaseegmiller — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 16:51:30 +0000

In reply to Jerold Heyward. Oh, John Trudy is brilliant in the way he teaches craft. I have several friends who write plot heavy stories and I don't envy the work they have to put in at all.