I read about this debate all over the place – in the forums or in “how to” books for writers.
So what exactly is an outline? It’s defined as a statement or summary of the chief facts about something.
Now if you’re already a writer and you know your preferences, you either outline your novel first before you write or you’re a seat-of-the-pants type of writer – based on intuition or experience – rather than a plan.
If you’re a first time writer and want to write your first novel you should continue reading. Then you can decide for yourself if you’d like to outline first or you prefer to just go a head and start writing.
When I first started writing my fiction, I did it by the seat-of-the-pants – I just sat down and started to write. But you know what, before I put words on paper, I already had a mental summary in my head. My main character already was nested in my mind and preoccupied me morning, noon and night. I knew the setting, point of view, etc. but what I didn’t know was the ending.
So I wrote a young adult novel of just less than 35,000 words. I was surprised how it ended but was excited by it.
After completing, I got into the writing groove again. I started to write up to 100,000 word novels – without proper outlining. Guess what, at 65,000 words my main character ran out of gas, looked at me and told me she don’t know what to do next. She needed help she said. I learned a lesson.
So I invented a solution for my next main characters.
In my preparation to write my next 100,000 word novel, I applied this solution.
- 1. I attacked my main characters. I prepare a journal sheet for them. I interrogate them – ask about their goal, motivation and why they didn’t reach their goal. What prevents them to get what they want in their life – be it relationship or career? Along the way I weave their background, their personality and everything about them into the journal. And to make it look more intelligent – I throw in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs at them. Then I asked my main characters which are the needs in that pyramid she or he hasn’t fulfilled. Of course they will throw a fits when I ask this, but I just keep going to questions them. Before I knew I have about ten pages of my main characters journal sheet. If the main character has a job that I’m not familiar with, I do research.
2. I also have the journal sheet for the side kick characters for my main characters but not as comprehensive as the hero and heroine. Knowing other characters helps me to find out the subplot(s).
3. Next, I decided the point of view for my novel. In my previous writing, I used limited third person or omniscient point of view. This time I’ll use first person.
4. I noted the setting for the characters. I also do research if I don’t know about the places.
5. I don’t know the ending and I tell you the main characters are very secretive about revealing it.
I don’t called this an outline instead I called it a blueprint – just to trick my mind so I don’t feel bored and abandon it before I start writing. If you know what a blueprint is – it’s more detailed than an outline, but I just have to make it something grandiose to induce and sustain my interest.
It’s been four months and it’s almost complete. I plan to use the month of May to write. If this won’t happen, then I’ll join the nanowrimo.org in November.
So far, this technique works for me. So, you see, I’ve done both – outlining and not outlining.
The key for your outline I have found is to not outline the ending. It will keep your interest floating for the plot. I know it’s not really an outline if you didn’t know the ending, but if I know how my novel ended I’ll lose interest or feel bored.
Now let’s keep the momentum going, shall we?
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