Writing #4: Outlines

Today we're talking about outlines, now I'll admit, in school, I hated outlines. I didn't want to write each and every idea, topic, paragraph, etc down in a fancy way for a teacher to look at, mostly because I usually wrote my papers the night before they were do, but that is entirely besides the point. The more I have grown as a writer, the more important outlines have become.

When I first started writing, I didn't use an outline, in fact the first thing I ever wrote was in a blue composition notebook, and I had no rhyme or reason with how the story was going to go. Now that story has evolved, and it's outline is giant, it's planned out four or so books into the series, but it still evolves, characters come and go, plot twists change, and it grows alongside me. A couple of years into writing, I wrote what I called a 'layout', it was a basic overview of how each book went. Basically it was a really long summary, and let me tell you I never updated it (in fact it is still in my notes, and sometimes I pick it up to reference something and become incredibly confused), it was a hot mess, but it worked for me at the time.

Anyone who knows me very well, knows exactly how unorganized I can be. I like to say it's because there's a lot going on in my brain, but the truth is I'm pretty easily side tracked and I have an obsessive mind. When I try to plan, I get so obsessed with planning I don't get anything done, and this is especially true of writing. I have a real problem with outlines and schedules, because I feel as if it stops my flow of creativity, well I used to feel that way, now I'm much more creative and on task.

I recently watched a video on YouTube by Jenna Moreci (if you are a aspiring writer you should check her out), where she talked about how she outlines, it gave me several good ideas, and so I put them into practice, and since I've been able to write thousands of words, and I'm pushing for a December release (hey, don't quote me I'm not making any promises).

I picked up a ton of index cards (so many, I'm drowning in index cards), and began writing characters, events, locations, important information, etc down for each of my stories.You can pick up index card holders to keep your story in, although if your outline is to large for that, you can use rubber bands. Obviously these cards are not meant to be your official outline, I suggest once you feel your index card outline is complete, that you type all of it in a bullet point word document. Although I keep my index cards for quick references.

I know my way will not work for everyone, so please tell me how you do outlines for your stories. Or tell me if this helped you find a new or better way to outline.

Taila Out.