Post by chromeknickers on Mar 1, 2013 12:28:19 GMT -5
Have you ever had an idea for a story and then sat down and began writing without knowing exactly where the story was going? It happens to all of us. We get excited about a prompt or an idea and we just start writing, failing to realise that plot-lines can get confused or even forgotten in the thrill of writing an exciting scene or chapter. Inevitably, we continue writing, fixing discrepancies along the way, and try our best to bring about a satisfying conclusion. Other times we end up abandoning the story completely because we missed the mark or there are too many plot holes. So, are outlines needed to keep our work in order?
The question you have to ask yourself is whether you write better with a detailed plot on paper or with the plot stored in your mind. Are the best stories the ones that are fully plotted out or is creating a plot outline tantamount to 'destroying the natural creative process'? This latter belief is simple - by writing your story out in rough form you've already told your tale; therefore, your creative side will not want to write it again. However, this doesn't mean that you cannot create a simple, inelegant outline to follow that will save you an enormous amount of time and rewriting in the future - and the less you have to rewrite or rework the better.
A Simple Outline
Your outline should be a simple reminder that no matter how many events or characters or situations arise your main theme will never get lost in the jumble of scenes. At the same time your outline should never be over-plotted lest you kill the spontaneity of the writing process. So how do you strike a fair balance between aimless writing and over-plotting?
Tips
1. Synopsis
First of all, a synopsis is a brief summary of the major points of a written work. This technique is used most frequently when writing novel-length pieces so that you have an understanding of where the story will end before you even begin. A good synopsis will encompass the major plot points of a story without going into any detail about the setting, characters or dialogue, but still shows what happens to propel the story forward. This method does not strangle the creative process. Even though you know what is going to happen at the end, you still have all the freedom in the world to create the individual scenes that will get your characters to the climax. Additionally, a synopsis or very basic outline will give you the benefit of letting you see at a glance whether or not that 'extra' scene will fit into the grand scheme of things or if it will only bog down your story.
2. Chapter-by-Chapter Guide
This technique works well in multi-chaptered stories. Writing either a simple paragraph or a few bullet point sentence for each chapter will help to maintain a focus for where each chapter must begin and end. This method is particularly useful if you are the type of writer who meanders through events, allowing the characters to take you in any direction they wish to go, or if you never quite sure when a chapter should end.
3. Outlining Through Character(s)
This method is not a simple as the first two. Creating a marvellously complex character structure and then knowing that your hero or heroine needs to live through specific experiences to end up the changed person he or she becomes in the end is a great way to keep events organised within your story. The problem with this method is that a less-experienced writer may be lured by the temptation to add 'just one more' conflict for the protagonist to overcome. And then another. And another. This convolutes a plot, weakens a character, and confuses a reader.
In conclusion, by knowing in advance how your events must unfold in order to reach the climax, you will drastically increase your chances of completing your story. You still maintain the element of surprise in that you would not have written the 'nuts and bolts' of the scene, even though you had the benefit of knowing what the overall outcome will be.
Questions
1. Do you find outlining to be an advantage or a hindrance to the writing process? Why?
2. Do you find it useful to have an outline for your characters? If so, how do you write an outline for them? Have any tips or techniques?
3. Do you think outlines are necessary for complex plots, especially ones that involves mysteries, twists, and subplots? If so, why? Can you give any examples where outlines are necessary?
4. Should your plot outline allow room for new inspiration or should you just stick with your original plans? How do you decide which idea is better to go with?
5. If you're so inclined, and find it useful, could you give an example of an outline for one of your stories and how it helped you organise your thoughts, plots, and characters?
6. Can you recommend any good resources for outlining?
*Remember, this isn't just a sharing forum. If you have genuine questions about how to outline your own story, please do not hesitate to ask here. Above are the three most basic steps of outlining, and there is always 'more than one way to skin a cat'. Here's the place where you can find out how and all the different ways.
Resources
* Plot Outline Guide
The question you have to ask yourself is whether you write better with a detailed plot on paper or with the plot stored in your mind. Are the best stories the ones that are fully plotted out or is creating a plot outline tantamount to 'destroying the natural creative process'? This latter belief is simple - by writing your story out in rough form you've already told your tale; therefore, your creative side will not want to write it again. However, this doesn't mean that you cannot create a simple, inelegant outline to follow that will save you an enormous amount of time and rewriting in the future - and the less you have to rewrite or rework the better.
A Simple Outline
Your outline should be a simple reminder that no matter how many events or characters or situations arise your main theme will never get lost in the jumble of scenes. At the same time your outline should never be over-plotted lest you kill the spontaneity of the writing process. So how do you strike a fair balance between aimless writing and over-plotting?
Tips
1. Synopsis
First of all, a synopsis is a brief summary of the major points of a written work. This technique is used most frequently when writing novel-length pieces so that you have an understanding of where the story will end before you even begin. A good synopsis will encompass the major plot points of a story without going into any detail about the setting, characters or dialogue, but still shows what happens to propel the story forward. This method does not strangle the creative process. Even though you know what is going to happen at the end, you still have all the freedom in the world to create the individual scenes that will get your characters to the climax. Additionally, a synopsis or very basic outline will give you the benefit of letting you see at a glance whether or not that 'extra' scene will fit into the grand scheme of things or if it will only bog down your story.
2. Chapter-by-Chapter Guide
This technique works well in multi-chaptered stories. Writing either a simple paragraph or a few bullet point sentence for each chapter will help to maintain a focus for where each chapter must begin and end. This method is particularly useful if you are the type of writer who meanders through events, allowing the characters to take you in any direction they wish to go, or if you never quite sure when a chapter should end.
3. Outlining Through Character(s)
This method is not a simple as the first two. Creating a marvellously complex character structure and then knowing that your hero or heroine needs to live through specific experiences to end up the changed person he or she becomes in the end is a great way to keep events organised within your story. The problem with this method is that a less-experienced writer may be lured by the temptation to add 'just one more' conflict for the protagonist to overcome. And then another. And another. This convolutes a plot, weakens a character, and confuses a reader.
In conclusion, by knowing in advance how your events must unfold in order to reach the climax, you will drastically increase your chances of completing your story. You still maintain the element of surprise in that you would not have written the 'nuts and bolts' of the scene, even though you had the benefit of knowing what the overall outcome will be.
Questions
1. Do you find outlining to be an advantage or a hindrance to the writing process? Why?
2. Do you find it useful to have an outline for your characters? If so, how do you write an outline for them? Have any tips or techniques?
3. Do you think outlines are necessary for complex plots, especially ones that involves mysteries, twists, and subplots? If so, why? Can you give any examples where outlines are necessary?
4. Should your plot outline allow room for new inspiration or should you just stick with your original plans? How do you decide which idea is better to go with?
5. If you're so inclined, and find it useful, could you give an example of an outline for one of your stories and how it helped you organise your thoughts, plots, and characters?
6. Can you recommend any good resources for outlining?
*Remember, this isn't just a sharing forum. If you have genuine questions about how to outline your own story, please do not hesitate to ask here. Above are the three most basic steps of outlining, and there is always 'more than one way to skin a cat'. Here's the place where you can find out how and all the different ways.
Resources
* Plot Outline Guide