Thread: Write a novel from scratch, from an outline

I have no clue if anyone would be interested in this, but would anyone be interested in writing an entire novel (60k words) from scratch, including the outline?

I like many of the posts here that use the writer's creativity to jump from previous ideas and branch into other stories but I was thinking about the group first create an outline and then assign sections to writers. The more, the better. The creativity would still be there, but it would be focused as writers help to create the outline and then be assigned scenes.

I see us critiquing and editing each others' scenes to make sure they work.

Just to be sure, would we be allowed to post our scenes on the forum?

I recommend sticking to genre-fiction of some sort. I don't care for fantasy as much as others (although I do like it) so I recommend one of the following, or a mixture:

1) Action-adventure
2) Science-fiction
3) Horror
4) Suspense/Thriller/Mystery (might be considered action-adventure)
5) Detective

I don't think we should do any movie or other tie-ins so that we can have a completely original story.

Consensus rules.

If there's interest, I'll post the next steps.

Thoughts?

I'd be interested, can you provide more information on it?

Besides getting the administrative details worked out, the first major step will be to create a basic outline that would include the following: (anyone can submit any part of this.)

1. Premise.
2. Setting.
3. Inciting incident.
4. Two turning points.
5. Last act climax (the ending).
6. Major characters.
7. The characters' objects of desire (conscious and subconscious).
8. Express the controlling idea.
9. Anything else the writer wants to add or even modify these nine points.

Once we share our outlines and build upon each others' ideas we can then reach a consensus about the story we want to tell.

I've changed my mind, I don't want to do it now.

Triq

Yeah, writing takes work. =)

i'm interested. my last partner ditched me and i had been searching for new ones. i warn you...i am a horrible speller!

Yeah, writing takes work.

Ewwww. If I liked work I wouldn't be a writer.

Writing also takes motivation. And I get unmotivated really fast when I see paint by numbers set ups and "patented" silliness like turning points and "controlling idea" and all the things to indicate an amateur, nazi setup going in.

That might have been what Triq was thinking, too. OR not.

That's the challenge. This will be plotted. It isn't for everyone as I've discovered many people cannot accept a challenge like this.

I disagree with you believing that plotting is amateurish, though. There are lots of professionals who plot and don't consider it 'paint by numbers'. And every screenplay of every movie and television show you watch is plotted. Storytelling is about mastering the form, not formula. There is a big difference.

And if you write any sort of movie, game, or series tie-in, you have to plot and submit it for approval before you even begin.

Why don't you take the challenge and see how you do? Maybe you'll discover you excel when you plot. I think some conflict between plotters and anti-plotters who believe it zaps creativity would be fun.

i think planning a story FULLY is a good way to organize. i think i have an idea for a mystery and i might have a quick outline by tomorow. maybe.

how can i send it to you? i'm not sure i can post it here. can i?

Well, I'm willing to give it a try if you don't mind.

That would be wonderful!

i think i have an idea for a mystery and i might have a quick outline by tomorow. maybe.

how can i send it to you? i'm not sure i can post it here. can i?

Fantastic! Yes, you can post it here. According to the guidelines it is okay to post here. The only thing that might prohibit excessive posting is when we begin writing scenes but the guidelines aren't clear about that. Maybe a moderator can chime in. But from my interpretation it would be okay.

Anyone else that has ideas, please post them.

Forum Rules

Don't flood the forums with new submissions. We realize you are eager to share your writing, but please add your work at a reasonable pace.

It means, "don't post it all in one go", new writers tend to do that and post 50 pages of their first novel or post all their short stories on their first day, but that doesn't really stop us from posting bits and pieces here.

Although it might be better if we used our e-mail or MSN to talk among ourselves.

i think planning a story FULLY is a good way to organize.

Has that worked out pretty well for you so far?

Lin, I encourage you to try. Your advice would be very helpful throughout this. But if you don't want people to do it because the challenge is writing from a plotted outline that we create as a group, then maybe start a new thread on the dangers of plotting a story.