Story Outlining Questions - Writers Forum

awford · 03-06-2006, 07:25 PM

When working out the plot, scenes or events in a story to what degree do you use an outline?

I used to just start writing and try to weave my way through it as I went, but all too often I found I was stuck and not sure where the story was even going.

I just started actually writing the first scene or two to get a feeling for it and then stopping to outline the rest of the story with a few sentences for each step of it I want it to take, and now all the sudden I'm seeing exactly where I want my stories to go and how to get them there. The outline also helps me find a squash the cliche story arcs before they get written and I get attached to them

So I guess what I'm wanting to know is does anyone have examples they'd care to post of their outlining and planning techniques?

Ta ta, pip pip, and talley ho!

cbrmale · 03-06-2006, 09:35 PM

I am a professional technical writer, and I wouldn't write anything of more than a few pages without an outline. My fiction experience is considerably less, but I map out a fairly detailed outline over two or three sessions. At the same time, I may write a couple of key scenes to validate my outline. The scenes are rarely wasted, with re-writing the usually slip into the final work okay.

I usually break the outline into chapters. Each chapter is usually a fairly chunky paragraph of prose and snatches of dialogue all mixed in together. The actual story doesn't necessarily follow the outline religously, I allow flexibility.

However, because I know where I am going, I can foreshadow events and develop characters who will behave in certain ways when key events happen.

Kimahri · 03-07-2006, 03:19 PM

I don't really write out outlines. I usually just write out the main events of the next few chapters so I know where I am going. These are usually a sentence or two. This works until I come up with something that changes my initial idea, though and then if it is a significant change I make a note for my editing process later.

kimahri

Sand · 03-09-2006, 12:48 PM

I can't see how anyone can write anything more than a short story without an outline. I know many do, but it baffles me how they can keep it all straight in their minds while they're writing. If you want any kind of complexity or sub-plots, I think you need an outline of some sort.

I'm a technical editor, meaning I don't edit books or fiction, and I consistently find the writers who write with an outline, even just a short two-page article, require less editing. Things are already where they're supposed to be so I don't have to move it around so the piece flows.

If you want to try out an outlining "system", google the "snowflake method". He has somewhat of a formula for coming up with plots, but his outline system is pretty good. You don't have to be a detailed as he is if that doesn't work for you, but it might be helpful

Ciao

awford · 03-10-2006, 12:51 AM

Thanks everyone.

Sand I did as you suggested. Here are a couple links if anyone else is interested:

http://www.rsingermanson.com/html/the_snowflake.html
http://www.nanowrimo.org/modules/new...?topic_id=8872