Thread: Outlines!

For those of you that use them. What program do you use, if any, and how long is it (word count wise)?

I usually start with a notebook and jot down ideas or events. Then I type them into Excel to get a chronological sense of the book. After that I copy the main events to a word document for future reference.

I use a program called yWriter. It basically lets you seperate your chapters and scenes. This lets me create my scenes and write out shorts notes of what I want to happen in them. Then eventually I will have a completed plot... then all I do is go back to the first scene and start writing.

I use word and write very detailed plots each chapter.

i didn't know there were programs just for outlines. i usually just make notes in a little flip book that i can refer back to when i get lost or take the story in a direction that would seem irrelevant to the central or future plot.

I have a bad habit of not sticking to the outline and if i branch out i then try to incorporate that sub plot into the main plot like it was supposed to be that way all along but this is kinda dangerous cuz if you're not careful you can end up with just too much going on.

Policy papers, AGM reports, and such must be well organised. The outline I create at the beginning eventually forms the basis for a table of contents. Each level of the outline and each paragraph take up one Notepad window. I can open whatever I need to look at or work with and keep as many open at one time as needed. Everything is eventually loaded into Word for final assembly and formatting. A typical AGM report will run 200 to 300 pages, and a major policy paper may total 500 pages broken into two or three parts.

Increasingly, log-frames are being required, so I've adapted my system to meet that requirement.

It occurs to me that using a log-frame template might be a good way to develop a novel.

For me, the basis of the outline is change.

The MC starts somewhere weak or innocent or unknowing and gets stronger in each chapter.

I write the outline using keywords in my cellphone notepad which is always with me.

Originally Posted by Potty

I use a program called yWriter. It basically lets you seperate your chapters and scenes. This lets me create my scenes and write out shorts notes of what I want to happen in them. Then eventually I will have a completed plot... then all I do is go back to the first scene and start writing.

You just made my life so much easier. I downloaded said program and its gonna help a lot. I'll probably still use word for the spell check, but that's just because my spelling is atrocious.

Originally Posted by Nicky

i didn't know there were programs just for outlines. i usually just make notes in a little flip book that i can refer back to when i get lost or take the story in a direction that would seem irrelevant to the central or future plot.

I have a bad habit of not sticking to the outline and if i branch out i then try to incorporate that sub plot into the main plot like it was supposed to be that way all along but this is kinda dangerous cuz if you're not careful you can end up with just too much going on.

I hear a lot of people have such problem. I usually have a clear plot and stick with it. The problem is it takes to long to fill in all the small details. oh and I love Red VS Blue....

Originally Posted by garza

Policy papers, AGM reports, and such must be well organised. The outline I create at the beginning eventually forms the basis for a table of contents. Each level of the outline and each paragraph take up one Notepad window. I can open whatever I need to look at or work with and keep as many open at one time as needed. Everything is eventually loaded into Word for final assembly and formatting. A typical AGM report will run 200 to 300 pages, and a major policy paper may total 500 pages broken into two or three parts.

Increasingly, log-frames are being required, so I've adapted my system to meet that requirement.

It occurs to me that using a log-frame template might be a good way to develop a novel.

You sir, are my hero. that is all