FEATURE: How to Write an Outline

[traycer_]

Outlining a Story/Novel

With examples from The X-Files

Comments

[campylobacter]

Whoo hoo! XF FTW!

I can't seem to settle on any one method of writing a story, mostly because it largely depends on the genre (porn, action/adventure/romance/terror/suspense/thriller/fluff, etc.) and the target length.

I tend to write a series of "keystone" scenes or sentences first to convey the emotional arc (character development), and use a dry outline for the action so that I can keep track of logistics (who's where doing what when) and then wind up deviating from it completely. :-p

[traycer_]

Well that's an interesting concept! It sounds a little like the Snowflake method, except without all the steps and extra work involved. I'm willing to bet the deviating part is the best part of the whole process for you. :)

[campylobacter]

Sometimes I wonder why so little writing advice about story plotting NEGLECTS character development in favor of just listing how events unfold.

I'm of the camp that says "This character should go from emotional Point A to Point B by the end of the chapter/short story. Imma manipulate events so that it happens."

After all, the reason *I* read fiction is because I'm engaged in the characters, not necessarily how exactly Protagonist defeats Antagonist.

[traycer_]

In other words, you prefer literary fiction. :D All talk and no play. Hee! But yeah, I see what you mean about story plotting vs. character development. I always contend that a good story needs both, otherwise it would be just too boring (the all talk and no play from above), or confusing (because there's no character to relate to), or both.

I'm curious though. When you say a character should "go from emotional Point A to Point B by the end of the chapter," wouldn't that be a bit too much? Dealing with an emotional setback in every chapter can be trying... or am I way off here and you're only going for a setback here and there?

Either way, we read stories the same way we write them. Whatever works best!

[rebecca2525]

Not that I've written that many long stories yet, but I seem to be the "background info" writer. My actual outline is rather brief, with the key events layed out but not broken down into individual scenes. Then I collect a lot of background information. So for the X-File example, I would write down what the mine had been used for, how the machines worked, how the skeletons ended up there, who the aliens were who built the mine, why they deserted it etc. Also profiles for original characters. And since it's probably going to be a mystery: how Mulder and Scully could misinterpret what they see before they finally learn the truth, or how they could misread intentions of OCs. The most important thing for me is to know the solution, the ending, so that I can focus on getting there.

I can imagine that the procedure for writing plot-driven stories vs character-driven stories varies; I think I'm just not the person to write longer character driven pieces.

[traycer_]

Finding the ending before even starting a fic is the hardest part for me. I envy you in this respect. :) I have to work my way through the entire story before finally getting to the ending, and by that time I have the whole story ready to be typed out.

I can imagine that the procedure for writing plot-driven stories vs character-driven stories varies;

Longer stories/novels, rely on both. You can't have one without the other, otherwise the story wouldn't hold up after a few pages. But then again, adding both components into a story is what it's all about!!

[caeseria]

This is very interesting, because I'm a 'pantser' too! ;) In fact, I find if I try to outline a story in any written form, my brain considers the story as 'written' and immediately loses interest. So I tend to percolate it in my head over and over, perhaps through the course of a couple of days or weeks until it's all plotted, and then bang it out ;)

[traycer_]

I know what you mean about losing interest. I have quite a few stories that I've played out in my head until it's complete (like watching a movie), only to have trouble writing it down because I already know how it's going to end. It's time to move on to the next one. lol But then again, I try to convince myself that the story will change as I type it up which will make it interesting and fun again.

Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't. :)

[haldoor]

Oh, that's me too! I have so many things started but then I lose interest along the way. I try to outline a little, but too much and it's just not going to work. Although, to be honest, the ones that have worked (in terms of longer) have been ones where I just knew the location of the end. Not what was going to happen, but just WHERE. Otherwise, I'm all, lets see where this goes. I'm so haphazard though - some plotting and research happens on occasion.... it's a wonder I do anything, really! Thanks for this though; most useful.

[traycer_]

I know! This just goes to show that outlining is not a "one-size-fits-all" method of writing longer pieces. :) We all have to go with what works best for us.

Thanks!!

[clocketpatch]

You know, the only time I actually finished a bit of long origi!fic was using something rather like the snowflake method. Takes forever to plot everything out but so worth it in the end. I should use it more. Might actuallyg et some stuff finished then...