Outlining a Novel

[wgjones3]

After reading inteviews in which both Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker advocate outlining novels, I've decided to outline my NaNoWriMo project. I'm using Excell (actually, StarOffice 7's spreadsheet, but basically they're the same thing). Anybody use this technique to help them write? If so, anybody got any pointers?

So far I've got one column for the chapter number, one for the scene (ex: int. hospital. day.), one for the location (ex: nashville), one for the chapter description, and a final one for the transition out (ex: cut to cpt. 4; trans into cpt. 5). I'm using my own verison of some screenwriting notation to help me along.

So far, does this sound right?

[Merry]

A number of years ago, I had a good friend named Phyllis Luxem. She was a retired novelist (she wrote 40 published novels and then decided to go into teaching.) Her method was to just write a short synopsis of each chapter and then she'd write the whole novel. I guess its whatever works for you, but having at least a rough out line sounds like a good idea.

[DrRita]

I look at it like taking a site seeing trip. You have to have a general direction but don't want it too tight because there may be things you want to see along the way which weren't on the map when you planned your trip. For me, when I put things down on paper, something happens in my mind and they tend to turn into stone. I have to be careful what I write down. Many people don't have that problem. As Merry said, whatever works for you.

Actually, I find the creative writing process works better for me when I write in longhand. The computer makes my shoulders, back and head ache. If I write in longhand I think better. In fact studies have been done about the creative process and writing in longhand and it turns that there's some link between writing (like drawing or painting) and being able to get the creative juices working. I know a lot of writers who do their first drafts in longhand then edit as they transcribe the pages to the computer. Does anyone else write in longhand here???

[ChristChild]

I started out that way (longhand), but I now type everything in directly into WordPerfect. I got used to it when I had to originally type in all the longhand I had written. :D

I don't write with an outline, though my brother does. I just sit and write when I feel "inspired" you could say. Both of my novels that are out now were written in this manner, and people seem to like them. On the background of J.R.R. Tolkien, on the Fellowship of the Ring DVDs (I think), they revealed that he wrote this way -- just wrote directly without an outline. Now I don't feel so bad. :) Two of my other friends also outline. I'm the only oddball.

Shane

[waterfallbooks]

For pointers on developing and writing with an outline, try this site: Randy Ingermanson (http://www.rsingermanson.com).

I use only the barest of outlines, and sometimes start even before I've written that. My 115,000 word novel was outlined on one side of a sheet of notebook paper, and I transfered it to the computer and added more as I wrote. I wrote the entire novel longhand, then transfered it to the computer, editing as I went. The main reason I needed the outline was because it's a historical novel, and I needed to keep the events in order.

For my second novel, I wrote the first scene (which became the beginning of the second scene) without any prior planning. Once I'd scribbled down a few ideas, I wrote another scene longhand, then transfered both to the computer and wrote the rest of the novel directly into Microsoft Word (it helped that my typing skills had improved during the first book - I was able to type without thinking about it, a must for first draft writing). My only outlines were scribblings in my catch-all writing journal and a rough calender to keep the dates straight. It's only 35,000 words right now, but I plan to expand it to at least 45,000.

[Classical]

Put me down as one who likes jotting ideas down in longhand. Often I won't even consult the longhand in the transcription, but it does a good job of getting the juices flowing.

As for outlines, I like to have a good job about where things are going, with a series of ideas that I'm going to explore inbetween. I don't like to have things too concrete beforehand - things tend to get stuck in concrete.

[Mr. Otis]

Kate, you beat me to the Randy Ingermanson plug.

I use OmniOutliner (it's a Mac thing--you Wintel types wouldn't understand) to lay out the chapters and scenes. For the two novels I've written so far, I work a few scenes ahead. When I try to outline all the way to the end, per Randy Ingermanson's "Snowflake" method, I get stuck.

I can't say I've written enough yet to know for sure that my method works best for me, but maybe the fact that I've been trying to stick to the "Snowflake" is why my latest novel is coming along soooo sloooowly.

For NaNoWriMo, I'm going back to the "outline just far enough ahead to know where this scene is going" method.

[Mr. Otis]

Kate, you beat me to the Randy Ingermanson plug.

I use OmniOutliner (it's a Mac thing--you Wintel types wouldn't understand) to lay out the chapters and scenes. For the two novels I've written so far, I work a few scenes ahead. When I try to outline all the way to the end, per Randy Ingermanson's "Snowflake" method, I get stuck.

I can't say I've written enough yet to know for sure that my method works best for me, but maybe the fact that I've been trying to stick to the "Snowflake" is why my latest novel is coming along soooo sloooowly.

For NaNoWriMo, I'm going back to the "outline just far enough ahead to know where this scene is going" method.

My wife is another "write what comes" author. It works very well for her.

We both take lots of notes on characters, locations, and events as we go, especially because we're setting our novels in the same fictional universe and sharing some characters back and forth.

[Gumpngreen]

My writing style is very methodical. First I write down a basic outline, then I add details until the plot is complete, at which point I divide the story into chapters. I then research the subjects that my book will cover so I've familiarized myself again and updated my knowledge with current information (very important with SciFi). I also create character sketches for all the major characters including major details and a back history.

Then I sit down and describe scenes, overall flow of dialogue, and other important bits of information in short paragraphs blocked off in a timeline format with astericks. If I have a certain phrasing in mind for certain sections I'll write it down but otherwise all of this text will have to be overwritten (about 15,000-20,000 words for The Genesis) for the final draft. The positive is that I rarely have to do a rewrite (I've heard that famous authors who use the other method often do 15+ rewrites of their whole book!). I make frequent backups so I still have all those notes, so overwriting them is no big deal.

[whitehawke]

Hi there,
I saw a guest reading this thread and it looked rather interesting. Thought it might help some of our members.
Rulan

[ArizonaWriterBJ]

I go through fits and starts. If I am able, I prefer to sit down at the computer and write, only because time is limited and it takes that much more time to sit down and transcribe handwritten notes.

On the other hand, I go through phases, like now, where I do write longhand for my longer projects. I do have my AlphaSmart, but sometimes, even as lightweight as it is, it's just a hassle having to haul yet another item around with me plus I can whip out a notepad and start writing on those short breaks or what's left of my lunch hour and just write.

Brenda

[ProfessorAlan]

I could not do NaNo without an outline. For that kind of pace, I personally need to know where the story id going, what the next scene will be. Of course, you can change the outline as you go, don't get locked into it, but I need some structure to produce that quickly.

[Gumpngreen]

I was watching the extras on the DVD for Lord of the Rings and it had a tidbit on how Tolkien wrote his book. He was an "interesting" guy; apparently he would sit down and start writing straight from the top with no idea where the story was going (so if Frodo didn't know what was going to happen neither did he!). The weird part was that if he started to notice any mistakes or contradictions in the plot he wouldn't just go back and correct them...he'd throw the entire thing in the trash and start over at Chapter 1!

[paulchernoch]

Spiral ring notebooks are the way to go. Brain storming, map sketches, and the early drafts at an outline I do in a notebook. No batteries, boots up quickly, can use it anywhere.

Once I have fifteen or twenty pages of notes, I start to switch over to computer.

- Paul

[ProfessorAlan]

I was watching the extras on the DVD for Lord of the Rings and it had a tidbit on how Tolkien wrote his book . . . .The weird part was that if he started to notice any mistakes or contradictions in the plot he wouldn't just go back and correct them...he'd throw the entire thing in the trash and start over at Chapter 1!

Remember, however, that Tolkien filled up enough paper with thoughts and unfinished work that his son was able to find them after his death and publish volumes and volumes of material -- including the entire Silmarillion, which was assembled and published posthumously. So Tolkien must have made notes (whether or not they were 'outlines' is debatable, I guess) and didn't write everything off the top of his head . . . otherwise, where did this treasure trove of material come from?

[ellenjames]

Paul, I also like notebooks. My poems and story ideas came through writing in a notebook. Then I key them into Microsoft Word.

As to outlining; since most of my stories are short stories, I generally have the end in mind and work toward it, deleting everything that does not apply.

Ellenjames