Happy #writerwednesday campers! This week’s post is all about outlining. This is the time to let your plotter/planner identity shine and put all the hard work you’ve put into character and plot to use!
Before we jump in, here’s a few reasons why outlining is a good idea:
- It helps you identify holes in your plot, or that your plot is too simple as it is now
- It gives you a straight-forward plan for drafting, meaning less writer’s block during writing sessions
- To give you something to rebel from if you choose (because sometimes, you just want to write what you want to write and ignore the “plan”! And that’s okay.)
So, if you’re serious about outlining, and want to go to camp 100% prepared, keep reading!
There’s not of “new” things for me to say about outlining, as many other writers have shared their techniques and a lot of them are quite similar. But finding an outlining method that works for you is essential to crafting a complete, engaging story.
The Method.
I recommend you do a little research on your own to find the outlining method that works for you. That being said, here are a few resources I have found helpful/interesting:
The Lady-Boss/No Detail Left Unplanned Method
Personally, I use a very simplified version of the Index Card Method. For my current WIP (work-in-progress), I wrote the scene/chapter on one side of the card, and a quick summary on the back. And honestly? Sometimes I didn’t even write anything! I just needed the scenes laid out, and the ability to pick up a new card at each writing session if I didn’t know where to start.
Drafters: Pick an outlining method that makes the most sense for you/your story.
Revisers: If you made an outline before drafting, skip this step! If you didn’t, I suggest finding a method that will work for evaluating your draft. Do you move quickly from scene to scene? Index cards might be the way to go. Is your draft a complex web of themes and relationships? The snowflake method might work for you.
The Outlining.
Now’s the time to actually put that method into motion!
Drafters: Follow the method you’ve chosen but also feel free to make it your own and focus on the parts that seem most helpful for you.
Revisers: Re-outline. If you outlined before drafting, return to it and add in the elements of plot or character you identified in the last few weeks as areas to develop. If you didn’t outline before drafting, make one now that reflects your WIP. What needs to be added? Removed? Drawn out?
In order to make this as straight-forward as possible for myself, I created a worksheet that allows me to focus chapter-by-chapter on what needs to be revised. I plan to print out one sheet for every chapter and fill it out as kind of a master-to-do-list that I can refer to at each editing session. If you’d like to use it as well, click here or the image below for a free download!
The Packing List.
That’s it for this week! It’s only one task, but that one task can be as time-consuming or quick as you want. Just remember, the more work you put in now, the easier your drafting/revising process will be in April.
Click the image below to download your Packing List #4!
We still have room in the WBT Facebook Cabin! Click the image below to join.
Can you believe there’s only one week left until camp? There will be one more packing list, so be sure to check back in next Wednesday for the last bit of Camp NaNoWriMo advice I can give before we all jump in.
