Outlining?

[Daeus]

So, outlining – what do you do? Not just do you do it or not, but how do you do it or why don’t you. Especially for those who do, this may be a good brainstorming session leading to the adoption of new techniques hitherto unconsidered.

Personally, I had most of the major plots laid out in my head before I started writing my novel. Whenever I start a new chapter, I plan out the major events for that, but otherwise its all on the fly. I like it that way. I keep my focus and don’t end up tying myself in knots, but I have a good amount of flexibility. How I brainstorm my plot is very simple. I start with a very vague idea and I just keep thinking about it until I have a very basic plot. Then I keep brainstorming until I have all my very major plots down. I just daydream until I have a workable model.

So how about you?

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[Kate Flournoy]

Yep, that’s me all over. Except I don’t purposely daydream— I hatch a plotline while I’m in the middle of another novel, and by the time I get around to writing that plotline, the book is already all written out in my head. The thing is to get it down on paper. And often it will change with the writing— hopefully always for the better. 😛

INFP. kateeverythingwriting.wordpress.com

[Anonymous]

If I outline, its in sporadic, on the whim type of moments.

I start my novel with an idea of where I want it to go and what I want to happen and then I simply sit down at the computer (or notebook, depending on my mood) and start writing the words on my heart. Granted, that makes editing a lot harder because you basically have a fountain of ideas splashed across two hundred pages and it’s terrible for writer’s block because you don’t really have an idea about where to go to next. But, once again, sometimes the best ideas and the best scenes and the best moments are the ones that aren’t planned.

On the contrary, when I outline I jot down as many scene ideas that I can – the scenes that I’m just dying to add into a narrative. Then, after the ideas are on paper, I plan the amount of chapters that I would like (the last novel being twenty-four chapters) and I assign one scene idea to each chapter. So, that way, when I’m hitting writer’s block or a creative slowdown, I can whip out my sheet and choose a scene to write about. Not exactly what you’d call outlining, but it’s as good as you’re going to get from this on-a-whim girl.

Also, this kind of relates to the topic at hand, but I find myself thinking of snarky lines or heart-melting scenes that I want to add into my novel…but I haven’t find the right spot yet. So, I create a document on my computer based completely on random scenes for that novel. For example, what I’m working on right now is called Mavericks’ Quartet of Finches and I just finished a random scene, so it goes in the MQoF – Scenes (Mavericks’ Quartet of Finches) document.

It’s not always the most effective way of doing things, but it’s what works for me.

[Mark Kamibaya]

I’m a pantser who has totally experienced the benefits of taking time to outline. It’s also some great “procrastinating” you can do! I usually just write the first scenes and first draft all based on the preconceived concept.

However, because I wanted to turn my lame superhero concept into something more emotionally satisfying (to the author not to the reader, basically lots of emotional turmoil for the reader) and I wanted a strong character arc, I started outlining.

The benefits are amazing (sounds like a commercial now 🙂 )! I started by using the classic movie three arc structure and then transitioned to this great outline (outline link) from probably the best writing website I’ve seen (sorry KP, but you’re second) and now I’ve created my own hybrid outline that combines the outlines of KM Weiland (see link above), James Scott Bell (here’s his newest structure book), and Blake Snyder (check him out).

I really don’t outline scenes, but I’m beginning to outline them just so I can make everyone stay consistent in character (just tracking character motivations). The more complex ones I’m outlining more now too.

So that’s me and outlining (ya’ll seriously better check out those links)

I blog on story and spiritual things at mkami.weebly.com

[Daeus]

That’s neat Mark. So you think outlining helps with character development? I glanced at some of the links you posted. Are you following a strict outlining process? In other words, do you have a basic novel mold that lets you know basically how your stories going to flow even before you have a plot?

Natalee, somehow I manage to avoid tying myself in knots while writing, even though I only have the basic plot settled and work on subplots mostly as I go. I think this is because I think things through carefully as I write. This takes more time, but then I have less editing to do in the end.

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[Mark Kamibaya]

I’ll make a quick reply cuz I need to go soon, but here’s my answer.

I do bend the outline a bit but you can tell I follow it.

Yes! Character development can be improved by outlining. That’s probably the thing that made my theme come out even more

I blog on story and spiritual things at mkami.weebly.com

[Daeus]

Huh. Say more. I’m interested. How does outlining improve character development?

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[Mark Kamibaya]

Well, @Daeus outlining is all about character development and theme ties into all of that. A story is stupid if it doesn’t have some kind of character arc. Even Indiana Jones has a type of character arc (not slamming on Indy just saying he is kind of flat. As in unchanging. Not dynamic. But he does have a character arc).

When you outline, it really helps you pinpoint how your character’s internal journey (the theme, which is the heart of your story) ties directly into the external journey. It also sets your priorities (theme goes on top) while not pushing them into the reader’s face (put your theme or some variation of it into every scene. It needs to be in there even if it’s in the fifth or sixth layer).

So yeah character development and outlining . . . there’s a direct tie. ‘Cause when you read a story, when you conceptualize a story, when you outline a story: you’re seeing a character’s journey.

I blog on story and spiritual things at mkami.weebly.com

[Hannah C]

When I first started my novel I hadn’t the faintest notion of outlining. I just figured I’d sit down at my little computer and type away unhindered and a masterpiece would be born. Sad little fool. I have since come to realize that if you have an idea where you will start and where you will end up but no clue of what happens in between then you will find yourself tangled up in the threads of your plot without being able to coherently untangle them unless you cut quite a few.

I did this. Probably because I shudder at the thought of outlining. Then I read an interesting article that diagnosed my condition: I am a panser and not a very good one at that. Perhaps I am a wannabe panser?

At least some outlining and brainstorming is necessary. One idea for outlining I have seen suggested was to sit down and write out a schedule of sorts for your character. Decide what they will be doing every day, every hour if you wish. It does work.

HC

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