How I Outline...
Much like my last ‘how I...’ post I’d like to put a disclaimer to say that this is not the only way to outline. Please take as much of this as you see fit but chuck out what you don’t agree with or what doesn’t resonate with you.
I created this stystem first for myself but secondly for writers who just want to get to writing, those who don’t want to spend forever planning and those who get easily frustrated without a structured plan.
step 1. NOTES
This is probably the most self explanatory step but I think we should have a little discussion about where I start. Usually an idea (a seedling, a half-conceived concept) will pop into my head while I’m doing something and the key for me has always been to write it down as soon as it strikes me. This ensures that I have the idea as it was conceived and not something I scraped out later as a result of faulty memory. Notes can really be anything you want it to be. A concept, dialogue, a question, prose or description, a character or really anything that your brain wanted to rattle out at that moment. This is the part where you can be messy and not worry about making mistake or any sense (which I know is hard for some of us).
Let’s talk about naming the documents because when I first started writing I wasn’t aware the trouble I’d be giving myself later in life. We all think we have a good memory until we’re looking down seven documents with the same name wondering how we got there.
step 2. ORGANIZATION
My notes are pretty messy after the brain dump so now it’s up to me to figure out what I meant by all the jibberish. You can use a beat sheet like the one in my planning post or you can just use bullet points to put everything in order. You’ll probably find that you have holes in the story or room to add more so you can do a bit of brainstorming to fill all that in. The order in which you do the steps is completely up to you.
For me it looks like this: idea> notes (brain dump)> organize (bullet points) > brainstorm > structure (beat sheet). But if you get to any of these points and you feel ready to start drafting then go for it. You can always go between drafting and outlining if you find that you’re getting stuck.
The writing process will always be different for everyone and it’s mostly trial and error. I still haven’t found a fool proof way to outline or plan or write or get inspiration or anything. I decided to choose things that I know work for me and the options that are fun.
At this point I will start using the templates I made/found.
You can plot as much or as little as you want. If you need to do a separate bullet point list or beat sheet for character arcs or relationship arcs then go for it. You can even do something for the arc of the entire series if you’d like. Because I consider myself a ‘pantser’ hybrid, I don’t really do much after the templates. I want to get to writing as soon as I can.
step 3. WRITE
For me this is the best part. Drafting will always be my favorite (editing is a close second) and so the sooner I can start, I’ll be happy.
Here’s a comparison. Outline to draft.
bonus step!
I like to making an “Authorhood To Do List”. This can be as long or as short as you want. It’s kinda of self explanatory so instead of rambling I’ll just show you my current one.
✨✨GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY WRITING!✨✨
tag list: @read-write-draw-88
Lemme know if you’d like to be added for future posts! Also if anyone has questions my DMs are always open.
