Comments on: The Top 12 Benefits of Outlining Your Novel http://writeitsideways.com/the-top-12-benefits-of-outlining-your-novel/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-top-12-benefits-of-outlining-your-novel Writing advice from a fresh perspective Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:43:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: NaNoWriMo: How To Write A Novel In 30 Days http://writeitsideways.com/the-top-12-benefits-of-outlining-your-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-3124 NaNoWriMo: How To Write A Novel In 30 Days Mon, 11 Oct 2010 06:44:36 +0000 http://writeitsideways.com/?p=1994#comment-3124 [...] Have a written outline and character sketches to work from (this is permitted in the official rules). [...] [...] Have a written outline and character sketches to work from (this is permitted in the official rules). [...]

]]> By: Last Minute Preparations for NaNoWriMo: A Checklist http://writeitsideways.com/the-top-12-benefits-of-outlining-your-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-3049 Last Minute Preparations for NaNoWriMo: A Checklist Sun, 26 Sep 2010 12:37:56 +0000 http://writeitsideways.com/?p=1994#comment-3049 [...] you have outline notes on key elements of your [...] [...] you have outline notes on key elements of your [...]

]]> By: Lia Keyes http://writeitsideways.com/the-top-12-benefits-of-outlining-your-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-119634 Lia Keyes Tue, 18 May 2010 16:21:00 +0000 http://writeitsideways.com/?p=1994#comment-119634 Thank you for a fascinating and thought-provoking article! It made me consider the method that has emerged unconsciously over the last five years as I complete my first novel and develop future projects..I'm a very intuitive writer and have a lot of faith in the subconscious as the curator of emotional truth, but there comes a point (usually three to five chapters in to a new book) when I have to stand back and ask "What am I writing here?" and then construct a few one page synopses of possible directions in which to go.I take this to my weekly critique group and ask them which is the most intriguing synopsis, or how I can tweak the best of the bunch to create a story they'd like to read. I also ask myself the same question.Then I start working with structure in a longer synopsis of 3-5 pages. Which are the five main scenes that the story can't do without? What theme emerges from this skeletal outline? Then I start putting flesh on the bones, developing the characters further by asking them why they're making certain choices, what they hope to gain, and what they perceive the obstacles to be (may be different than the actual obstacles because they have yet to achieve the growth that will allow them to prevail). At this point I choose which events need to happen around the skeletal five scenes the story can't be without for that growth to be possible and believable. I consider what motifs, images, locations and supporting characters would best present and support these ideas to the reader. Finally I take a look at what I've got and ask again: Would I want to read this book? Would it be worth the investment of time it would require of a reader? What emotional roller coaster have I designed, and could I make the highs higher and the lows lower?This is all before writing any more chronological chapters, though I might write a few more random snippets, jumping around the story to explore 'voice', perspective, and motivations. Those things seem to come from my subconscious and can't be coldly plotted. I have to write for them to emerge. I may use those scenes, incorporating them into the synopsis to see if they deserve a place there or not. Or I might glean the useful parts of the random snippets to use elsewhere. But the bottom line is that in synopsis or outline form I can see the whole novel quickly and clearly. It's the difference between standing too close to an impressionist painting and standing back from it. When you stand back you can view the whole at a glance and the kaleidoscopic dots of color suddenly make sense. Thank you for a fascinating and thought-provoking article! It made me consider the method that has emerged unconsciously over the last five years as I complete my first novel and develop future projects..I’m a very intuitive writer and have a lot of faith in the subconscious as the curator of emotional truth, but there comes a point (usually three to five chapters in to a new book) when I have to stand back and ask “What am I writing here?” and then construct a few one page synopses of possible directions in which to go.I take this to my weekly critique group and ask them which is the most intriguing synopsis, or how I can tweak the best of the bunch to create a story they’d like to read. I also ask myself the same question.Then I start working with structure in a longer synopsis of 3-5 pages. Which are the five main scenes that the story can’t do without? What theme emerges from this skeletal outline? Then I start putting flesh on the bones, developing the characters further by asking them why they’re making certain choices, what they hope to gain, and what they perceive the obstacles to be (may be different than the actual obstacles because they have yet to achieve the growth that will allow them to prevail). At this point I choose which events need to happen around the skeletal five scenes the story can’t be without for that growth to be possible and believable. I consider what motifs, images, locations and supporting characters would best present and support these ideas to the reader. Finally I take a look at what I’ve got and ask again: Would I want to read this book? Would it be worth the investment of time it would require of a reader? What emotional roller coaster have I designed, and could I make the highs higher and the lows lower?This is all before writing any more chronological chapters, though I might write a few more random snippets, jumping around the story to explore ‘voice’, perspective, and motivations. Those things seem to come from my subconscious and can’t be coldly plotted. I have to write for them to emerge. I may use those scenes, incorporating them into the synopsis to see if they deserve a place there or not. Or I might glean the useful parts of the random snippets to use elsewhere. But the bottom line is that in synopsis or outline form I can see the whole novel quickly and clearly. It’s the difference between standing too close to an impressionist painting and standing back from it. When you stand back you can view the whole at a glance and the kaleidoscopic dots of color suddenly make sense.

]]> By: The 3 Things Writers Will Never Agree On http://writeitsideways.com/the-top-12-benefits-of-outlining-your-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-955 The 3 Things Writers Will Never Agree On Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:06:22 +0000 http://writeitsideways.com/?p=1994#comment-955 [...] been much heated discussion around the blogosphere regarding which is more effective–planning your stories first, or making them up as you go [...] [...] been much heated discussion around the blogosphere regarding which is more effective–planning your stories first, or making them up as you go [...]

]]> By: How I Wrote a Novel in 19 Days (and Lived to Tell the Tale) http://writeitsideways.com/the-top-12-benefits-of-outlining-your-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-590 How I Wrote a Novel in 19 Days (and Lived to Tell the Tale) Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:36:28 +0000 http://writeitsideways.com/?p=1994#comment-590 [...] But, the peak of my satisfaction was the last few days. I had taken Suzannah’s advice to outline my story prior to the starting line, which is acceptable by NaNoWriMo’s rules. Defining the plot points [...] [...] But, the peak of my satisfaction was the last few days. I had taken Suzannah’s advice to outline my story prior to the starting line, which is acceptable by NaNoWriMo’s rules. Defining the plot points [...]

]]> By: uberVU - social comments http://writeitsideways.com/the-top-12-benefits-of-outlining-your-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-335 uberVU - social comments Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:00:40 +0000 http://writeitsideways.com/?p=1994#comment-335 <strong>Social comments and analytics for this post...</strong> This post was mentioned on Twitter by Writeitsideways: Doing NaNoWriMo? The Top 12 Benefits of Outlining Your Novel http://bit.ly/3CLXoa... Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by Writeitsideways: Doing NaNoWriMo? The Top 12 Benefits of Outlining Your Novel http://bit.ly/3CLXoa...

]]> By: Tweets that mention The Top 12 Benefits of Outlining Your Novel | Write It Sideways -- Topsy.com http://writeitsideways.com/the-top-12-benefits-of-outlining-your-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-332 Tweets that mention The Top 12 Benefits of Outlining Your Novel | Write It Sideways -- Topsy.com Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:35:57 +0000 http://writeitsideways.com/?p=1994#comment-332 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Write It Sideways, Write It Sideways. Write It Sideways said: The Top 12 Benefits of Outlining Your Novel http://bit.ly/3CLXoa [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Write It Sideways, Write It Sideways. Write It Sideways said: The Top 12 Benefits of Outlining Your Novel http://bit.ly/3CLXoa [...]

]]> By: Suzannah http://writeitsideways.com/the-top-12-benefits-of-outlining-your-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-330 Suzannah Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:21:39 +0000 http://writeitsideways.com/?p=1994#comment-330 ncb: Hey, if it works for you, go for it! Like I said, I've tried both and it is possible to get the same end product, but for me outlining wins. In terms of "writing parts of a scene without knowing where it will go," I think you still experience that with outlining. That is, unless you've planned every scene down to the last detail. When I outline, I have a synopsis of the plot, characters, and any research I need to do. That still leaves a lot of room for creativity, but you'll know the general direction in which you want to go. Also, I don't necessarily write the whole thing in order. But, if I do skip ahead, I'll make a note of what needs to eventually be written in between. Thanks for sharing your 'blurt system!' ncb: Hey, if it works for you, go for it! Like I said, I've tried both and it is possible to get the same end product, but for me outlining wins.

In terms of "writing parts of a scene without knowing where it will go," I think you still experience that with outlining. That is, unless you've planned every scene down to the last detail. When I outline, I have a synopsis of the plot, characters, and any research I need to do. That still leaves a lot of room for creativity, but you'll know the general direction in which you want to go.

Also, I don't necessarily write the whole thing in order. But, if I do skip ahead, I'll make a note of what needs to eventually be written in between.

Thanks for sharing your 'blurt system!'

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