Outlining Your Novel 2.0

Outlining Your Novel

Like any writer, this is a step in the process where it gets real. By this times character profiles should have been done, the plot sketched out on many different post it notes or a notebook. This is the part where your desk or writing area looks a mess with so many different ideas and levels to your story. Writers outline in many ways. Some do not use an outline at all. Whatever way you fancy, outlining or sorting your ideas is a must. Depending on what of novel you are writing, research is very important and some research can take months or even years to sort through. For example, imagine writing a crime fiction novel. You may have old case files, have suspects to figure out, and more.

 

When it comes to outlining, think of it as telling a story from the beginning, middle and the end. Or for screenwriters this Act 1, Act 2, and Act 3, but take things step by step. Ask yourself these questions: How do I want the story to start? What will the main character do in the beginning of the story? Is he/she being dramatic? Is the character going to talk in a narrative tone or third person? Check out this example of how an outline can go.

1. Main Character

• Who is it? ( Give me a full fabricated name)
• Zodiac Sign
• Mannerisms ( is he/she shy? Smooth and charismatic? A Jerk?)
• Where does his story start? (High school, middle school, College?)
• What made him the main character the way he/she is? (Pain, addiction, broken heart)
• Add other characters, friends, parents, situations and incidents. Give them names, descriptions, complexions, mannerisms and characteristic. Be specific.

2. Family Life

• Does the main character have siblings?
• What was his household like? Day to day routine?
• Parents accepting of he/she? Did he feel like the black sheep? Got along with everyone?
• Talk about parents were they good parents? Bad parents?

3. Personality of Main Character

• Did he get along with his peers?
• Have a best friend?
• Popular/Unpopular
• What did he like to do for fun?

4. Plot

• What happens that shifts the main characters life/lifestyle? What made it hard?
• Explain in detail, how he was feeling while his life was changing
• What makes the transition of a innocent child to an adult?
• Is the main character married? Have kids? What is that structure like while he’s going through what he is?

5. Final Result Or Ending

• What is the main character taking away from this?
• How has he/she learned?
• Does the good outweigh the bad depending on the situation?
• What would you like to see for an ending?

 

 

I’ve attached some blog posts that will help you get starting with the writing process once you are ready. Included are other example outlines and more notes as well. I’ve put them in order of the writing when you get started. I hope this article and the other examples I have provided help you go far with your writing! NanowriMo is coming soon ( National Novel Writing Month) and I hope you guys that are writers will participate.

 

 

 

1. https://writingsbykrystol.wordpress.com/2014/03/15/back-to-basics-character-profile/

 

2. https://writingsbykrystol.wordpress.com/2014/06/05/the-power-of-the-plot/

 

3. https://writingsbykrystol.wordpress.com/2014/08/04/why-is-it-so-hard-to-choose-names-for-your-characters/

 

4. https://writingsbykrystol.wordpress.com/2014/08/03/is-it-okay-to-use-a-pseudonym/

 

 

5. https://writingsbykrystol.wordpress.com/2014/07/29/i-want-to-turn-my-book-into-a-movie-how-should-i-do-that/

 

6. https://writingsbykrystol.wordpress.com/2014/07/25/my-gift-to-you-signatory-agent-list-for-writers/

 

 

7. https://writingsbykrystol.wordpress.com/2014/07/23/creating-the-ending-of-your-story/

 

8. https://writingsbykrystol.wordpress.com/2014/07/07/are-word-counts-really-that-important/

 

9. https://writingsbykrystol.wordpress.com/2014/06/21/my-book-is-completed-now-what/

 

10. https://writingsbykrystol.wordpress.com/2014/06/21/my-book-is-completed-now-what/

 

 

 

Writing Update

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday! I wanted to take the time to tell you guys how my writing has been. I must say that I am LOVING it! This new book is a great one and I am really enjoying the writing process for this book. The pace of my writing is slow and steady, but I am getting my daily word count in which is amazing. As stated in yesterday’s blog, this book will really put me on the map. I strongly believe that.

Here Is My Daily Process

I have a desk in my living room, but everything else is on it. Papers, binders, books, you name it. Right now, my bedroom has made the best desk as of late. It is comfortable and I love being in the relaxed state when it is time to write. So, since starting Camp NanoWriMo, I have been writing my best words at night between 9-10pm all the way until 11pm. My eyes start to get heavy and it is time to turn the keys off. My average a day has been between 2-3k. My goal is to write at least 3,500 words a day to finish on time. I started a week late. My goal is to write 70,000 words. To some this may not be a lot, but for me, this is the LONGEST book that I have written in my writing career. My music choices are Evanescence, Bruno Mars, R. Kelly and DeBarge. I do take breaks to eat and get some snacks.  My snack choices are Veggie straws, water and Gatorade. Who knew? Today, I am trying something new and will attempt to write all day today. Wish me luck!

 Tips That Will Help You Along The Way

1. Time Management – Whether you are writing during the day or night, make sure you have a scheduled time of when you can write. If you can a write an hour a day go for it. If you are feeling the story and write longer than that, that is great too.
2. Writing Partner – If you have a writer friend to write with you during your time, it will make things more exciting, especially on days when you feel that you can not write anything. This are called writing sprints. There are many Facebook writing groups who do sprints daily for an hour or two hours.
3. Writing Goals – Always set a word count goal for the times that you are writing. When you have uninterrupted time ( meaning no scrolling through Facebook or YouTube, just straight writing), you will be able to calculate how many words you can write in that time span.
4. Writing Mentor – It may be hard to find this. A writing mentor is someone who will guide you and always give you the inspiration to write. My mentor  Deatri 5 Crafty Top Writing Books ( see her book, ” How To Become A Successful Author). She always encourages me to write in a way that it is beneficial to me. Deatri has over 15 titles out and has tapped into TV and Screenwriting with my assistance :).
5. Outline – I know this is weird for outline to be number five, but ” read” me out, lol. Have an outline for where you want your current project to go. What do I mean? Well, make an outline of your writing progress once the book is completed. So you may have editing, ( depending on what kind you choose whether it is line edit, developmental edit, etc), querying letters, proof reading and more. Make a plan on what you plan to do once the writing portion is completed. After all, writing the book is the easy part. It is what comes next that is a challenging, yet rewarding task.