Does anyone else have a problem with this? Because I always feel like I’m the only one who grapples with writing scene after scene in chronological order in a list-like format. It just never happens, and when it does I lose all motivation to write the story (or novel) in the first place.
So I googled ‘Outlining Your Novel’ and came across links that I used a lot when I used to outline like crazy; and I think some of them could be useful for a few of you. Here they are:
The Ominous Snowflake method: Snowflake Method
This method… (Probably the most well-known) takes an astronomical amount of time (for me), which can be good, get to know your characters… But I’m impatient, very impatient. And by step 3 I’m on to the next outline website...
The Writer’s Digest Outline: Writing.com
I really like this way of outlining but I never feel like I have enough information to use when I’m finished, but for some people this has worked miracles!
Notecard Plotting: Notecard Plotting Under Pressure
This one is probably one of my favorites and I love Holly Lisle so I guess I’m a bit biased. She has great articles on writing and plotting and character development; just google her name and all of her websites will pop up!
Outline Your Novel In 30 Minutes: 30 Minute Outline
This is another favorite, not only does it only take 30 minutes (it actually took me a little over an hour) it helps me to flesh out my characters motivations and that helps me to brainstorm more scenes.
Do you guys have any recommendations on how to outline? Or do you not outline at all?
So I googled ‘Outlining Your Novel’ and came across links that I used a lot when I used to outline like crazy; and I think some of them could be useful for a few of you. Here they are:
The Ominous Snowflake method: Snowflake Method
This method… (Probably the most well-known) takes an astronomical amount of time (for me), which can be good, get to know your characters… But I’m impatient, very impatient. And by step 3 I’m on to the next outline website...
The Writer’s Digest Outline: Writing.com
I really like this way of outlining but I never feel like I have enough information to use when I’m finished, but for some people this has worked miracles!
Notecard Plotting: Notecard Plotting Under Pressure
This one is probably one of my favorites and I love Holly Lisle so I guess I’m a bit biased. She has great articles on writing and plotting and character development; just google her name and all of her websites will pop up!
Outline Your Novel In 30 Minutes: 30 Minute Outline
This is another favorite, not only does it only take 30 minutes (it actually took me a little over an hour) it helps me to flesh out my characters motivations and that helps me to brainstorm more scenes.
Do you guys have any recommendations on how to outline? Or do you not outline at all?
I have a loose outline. It's more like a bullet list. And it changes a lot. But if I don't do it I tend to ramble...
ReplyDeleteI write by the seat of my pants! I learned this weekend at a writers conference I should KNOW my ending because it shapes my whole story. Drat! Guess I'd better work on my story some more.
ReplyDeleteTHANKS for stopping by my blog!
I outline, but very loosely. If I outline too tight I loose my creativity and my characters begin to do strange things like... murder while tap dancing.
ReplyDeleteI use note cards religiously. I write a short description of scenes that I have written already on note cards. Each scene gets its own card. Then I lay out the cards in the order of events. (you might need a huge amount of floor space or a giant wall for this.) Once you lay all the scenes out you notice the holes in your story. Then you have fun figuring out how to fill the hole in the story.
It's like outlining but better. You can literally see the order of your story without writing in a linear format.
P.S. most people write stories out of order anyway and then put it all together once they are finished.
I can't remember where I got the idea from...I think a writing book. Hope this helps!
@Marsha Sigman - That's what happens to me! I ramble and ramble and ramble when I have no idea where I'm going, or even if I'm not sure what the next scene is I start to ramble. It drives me nuts when I go back and edit!
ReplyDelete@Taffy - That's something I really need to focus on - knowing the ending. I always try and just write like inspiration is going to strike and and somehow I'll get to the end... It never happens. Thanks for the tip!
@Trish - Lol, murder while tap dancing, that sounds like something I would write. I've tried the note card outlining before years ago but I haven't tried it since. Definitely just bought two packs of note cards today to try it out! And that's something I've got to train myself to do - writing the scenes out of order. I think it'll help with those hurdles that happen when I write in chronological order and get writer's block. That's when I stop writing altogether and the story get put away in a drawer never to be seen again. Thanks so much for the tips! ;)
@Everyone - sorry, my very loooong... comment got deleted. Grr Blogger.
ReplyDeleteI sorta start writing then outline as I go cuz things pop into my head that are waay ahead of where I am so I write down what that thing is and go "I think this goes here" And then when I'm stuck I write down tons of info on my giant white board until I become unstuck.
ReplyDeleteI have a problem with outlining also. I thought it was just me as well, but I guess I can add a few more people to my list! My thoughts a constantly jumping around from character, to scene, to details, to my tv, and everywhere else it sees fit. My mind so does not want to get told what to do! Thanks for this post, I feel it was helpful :D
ReplyDeleteStill waiting for my comment that got deleted during the blogger apocalypse to come back... I did reply to the earlier posters! I promise!
ReplyDelete@Sandygo2 - That's what drives me nuts, because I'll think of things that I want to happen before a scene I've already written and then I have to go back revise, (not that I don't love revising...) and I'm kind of a perfectionist and need everything laid out. I need one of those Expo boards! Those would be perfect for brainstorming!
@Sonny - I am EXACTLY the same way. I constantly get distracted and my mind does not want to focus on anything at all, especially not what I want to focus it on. I'm glad you felt it was helpful!
I'm going to re-reply! (Since the blogger apocalypse took my comment away)
ReplyDelete@Marsha Sigman - That happens to me all the time! If I don't have a semblance of an outline I start talking about fairy dust and peanut butter. It drives me crazy. I need something to be able to follow so I don't get too off track and start making up extraneous scenes.
@Taffy - That's what I'm still working on - knowing what my ending is. It's so hard for me to think up an ending before I've gotten there but then I never end up getting there if I haven't thought of it. It's such a conundrum. Thanks so much for the tip! I'm going to keep working on it.
@Trish - That sounds exactly like me. And lol to the murder while tap dancing! I've only ever tried note carding once, years ago but I just* bought two packs of note cards the other day because of your suggestion. I'm definitely going to try it again! I like to be hands on anyways so maybe it'll help more visually if I have the scenes written out on the cards. I really need to learn how to write out of order. I used to do it for research papers but somehow I can't get the motivation to do with my stories. Thanks so much for all of the tips! I've already started note carding and I love it so far!