tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post3654244971546959034..comments2023-11-18T03:15:19.102-06:00Comments on Straight From Hel: Do You Outline?Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-25780392613199277472010-02-07T17:58:08.908-06:002010-02-07T17:58:08.908-06:00It's interesting to see just how permeant digi...It's interesting to see just how permeant digital memory has become in our every day lives. It seems like everywhere I turn, I see something with a card slot or USB port . I <i>guess</i> it makes sense though, considering how much cheaper memory has become lately...<br><br>Gahhhhh... who am I to complain. I can't make it through a single day without using my R4 / R4i!<br><br>(Posted on Nintendo DS running [url=http://kwstar88.insanejournal.com/397.html]R4 SDHC[/url] NetSurf)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-91153056863199288382010-02-05T19:00:58.611-06:002010-02-05T19:00:58.611-06:00I like to outline, usually 3 points per chapter. B...I like to outline, usually 3 points per chapter. But I tend to leave the research until I start writing.<br /><br /><a href="http://steamydarcy.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow"> Really Angelic</a>Enid Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12248877161249788607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-73559673826732172682010-02-05T18:50:10.551-06:002010-02-05T18:50:10.551-06:00I do a very basic outline- I think of that as the ...I do a very basic outline- I think of that as the skeleton. This part is on paper in an exercise book.<br /><br />Then add the action sequences- they would be the muscle.Again, this happens on paper.<br /><br />Then add the dialouge and filler, which makes up the rest of the body. This I make up as I go along!<br /><br />See- anyone can do it!Oswald Bastablehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11828229103486326473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-57104842367250566572010-02-05T18:43:27.659-06:002010-02-05T18:43:27.659-06:00For some unknown reason, many of my ideas come to ...For some unknown reason, many of my ideas come to me in the form of a scene right at the end of my book. I let it mull around in my head for a few days or weeks (I don't consciously think about it), then I start to write. Kind of scary when I say it that way.Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-86038148978295362272010-02-05T17:19:25.577-06:002010-02-05T17:19:25.577-06:00I don't outline much at all. My stories all st...I don't outline much at all. My stories all start with the central character and some significant issue and go from there. That usually gets me into the first few chapters, then if I get stuck, I will stop and do some plotting and outlining. But, like Jan, I seldom know where a story or character is going at first. I just need to go along for the ride and figure out the destination later.<br />It would probably be easier in some respects if I could outline, but it has never worked for me, even though I have tried. A good outline can help with writing the dreaded synopsis.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-63219834987050713932010-02-05T16:26:45.538-06:002010-02-05T16:26:45.538-06:00I'm an outliner. Some are more detailed than o...I'm an outliner. Some are more detailed than others, but I couldn't imagine just diving into a big writing project without generally knowing what was supposed to happen.Tony Nolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090583562737225942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-7715849575075481172010-02-05T16:18:21.808-06:002010-02-05T16:18:21.808-06:00I'm a Pantser. Randomly going where my imagina...I'm a Pantser. Randomly going where my imagination takes me. Trying to teach myself otherwise, however. It would be much easier to outline/plot.<br /><br />Good post :)Just Wendy https://www.blogger.com/profile/05268645629027109282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-89680635972724759002010-02-05T15:31:19.905-06:002010-02-05T15:31:19.905-06:00I spend a lot of time with my main character befor...I spend a lot of time with my main character before writing. I keep a basic outline in my head until I get blocked in the middle of the story. At that point, writing it down helps me move forward.<br /><br />I write down snatches of dialogue, family trees and back story. But for the most part, I get right in there and write scenes or descriptive passages once I have a clear picture of my character and why I care about him or her.Jenn McKayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08096584277185808602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-86090650504521426492010-02-05T14:36:32.493-06:002010-02-05T14:36:32.493-06:00Yeah it is a common misconception that just anyone...Yeah it is a common misconception that just anyone can write a book. Puppycock. I sometimes start out with a loosely sketched outline, but seldom do I ever wind up following it, except to start and end where it says to - and sometimes even the end goes off on a different tangent, lol.<br /><br /><a href="http://theoldsilly.com" rel="nofollow">Marvin D Wilson</a>The Old Sillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09661188622348794193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-27079378664865996332010-02-05T14:27:16.473-06:002010-02-05T14:27:16.473-06:00I think I'm a bit of a pantser, as well.I think I'm a bit of a pantser, as well.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-81315904401012093122010-02-05T14:22:58.530-06:002010-02-05T14:22:58.530-06:00Good post, Helen. I have to be both a pantser and ...Good post, Helen. I have to be both a pantser and a plotter. Plot first, but plenty of off the tracks...Conda Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12972790965426924941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-19346156598067815372010-02-05T13:13:11.690-06:002010-02-05T13:13:11.690-06:00Thanks for letting us know about Scrivener (Mark) ...Thanks for letting us know about Scrivener (Mark) and Snowflake (Sheila). Sounds like both are worth checking out.<br /><br />It's quite interesting hearing how each of us outline or use some method of organizing.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-62449291190216602472010-02-05T12:35:37.982-06:002010-02-05T12:35:37.982-06:00I outline very much like you've described. I ...I outline very much like you've described. I certainly allow myself to go 'off-track', but I try to have the discipline to get back sooner rather than later.Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-23676003147979707042010-02-05T12:11:15.853-06:002010-02-05T12:11:15.853-06:00I've decided to try outlining this time, just ...I've decided to try outlining this time, just for a change. I'm using the Snowflake software - was lucky enough to buy it cheaply on its release day. It's certainly encouraging me to think things through a bit more, and my characters are giving me their surprises before I start writing this time.Sheila Deethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13465615546936319164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-13406917973289548292010-02-05T11:37:48.354-06:002010-02-05T11:37:48.354-06:00I love reading how other writers work. I'm rig...I love reading how other writers work. I'm right with you Helen about how I start, but it isn't always the same thing that points me to a story. Sometimes it's a character, a setting, a name, an incident. Whatever. I don't ever know until it makes a big enough sound in my brain. My only outline consists of a few notes on a sheet of ruled paper, and I have a general idea of the main characters and who the protagonist and antagonist are. Usually I know how it will end. I also know the types of things that will occur on the journey, but no details until I write.Carol Kilgorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15168273312704732896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-11759032867113604462010-02-05T10:38:41.125-06:002010-02-05T10:38:41.125-06:00I outline roughly- nothing too intenese. It helps ...I outline roughly- nothing too intenese. It helps give me a feel for my story idea. Chapter outlines gage where I want to go and help keep my scenes tight.Tamika:https://www.blogger.com/profile/04874834971492028558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-42084029641237584962010-02-05T10:10:29.588-06:002010-02-05T10:10:29.588-06:00Mine is definitely a more casual approach. Like yo...Mine is definitely a more casual approach. Like you've suggested, I jot notes and do a little initial research (if warranted), and the like. But I don't sit down and fill spreadsheets and plot charts. That's too much for me.<br /><br />Great post, Helen!Janna Leadbetterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06339705935553160673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-57357621081113232252010-02-05T09:51:37.711-06:002010-02-05T09:51:37.711-06:00I outline first and then do the research. I usuall...I outline first and then do the research. I usually know what I want to do, just not exactly how I'm going to do it.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-30519924607882119092010-02-05T09:18:19.138-06:002010-02-05T09:18:19.138-06:00Haven't arrived at the "need to outline&q...Haven't arrived at the "need to outline" stage yet...but I think my tendency at first would be to "just write," until I realized that the outline is a tool to make the "just write" part easier and more logical. That's why I feel there is a fiction class coming up in my near future...to teach me things that work...as did this post and your comments.Lizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16170701034715108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-28707938573812769952010-02-05T09:15:18.579-06:002010-02-05T09:15:18.579-06:00I do research, and love it. It has a way of reall...I do research, and love it. It has a way of really informing the story, giving me characteristics and actions that I can incorporate into the work, sometimes ideas to move the plot. As for outlines, in various forms, yes. I do keep a journal for each project which is very, very casual, filled with all kinds of notes. And often will outline. Sometimes the whole story, other times just aspects of it to be sure it'll all play out.Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03972054718663959694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-63313110758075317512010-02-05T08:54:03.553-06:002010-02-05T08:54:03.553-06:00Man, I think I back in totally differently. I usu...Man, I think I back in totally differently. I usually start with a 'set up'--a very vague scenario that makes an interesting background and write just a scene or two to see what i think of the characters and how they might act and what kinds of things might happen to them. Then, after a LONG stewing period, I write that 5-10 event outline and start. Then I write a little more detailed outline in stages (just to get me to the next 'big point')<br /><br />I research for the rewrite. I use [points I need to look into] in brackets. I am too easy a mimick otherwise--story altering for things I find, which are only tangents, and it gets long and unruly... better to have the main thing nailed down first.Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-36305042924936672822010-02-05T08:44:21.997-06:002010-02-05T08:44:21.997-06:00I use the major plot points approach. Usually I st...I use the major plot points approach. Usually I start with a general idea and write a few pages to get going. Then I sit down with pen and paper and write out some points of conflict that might fit the story. I transfer those to note cards and play with the organization awhile and make notes on the cards. That's about all the structure I add.<br /><br />Recently I discovered Scrivener. Scrivener is a program that includes a word processor, an index card generator and a virtual cork board for moving the cards around. It also has windows for comments and notes and a filing system for storing web pages and other documents generated or discovered during research. Now everything is on my laptop within sight. No more scattered index cards, note books or file folders with research.Mark Troyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10746027017657987261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-16600788255061746132010-02-05T08:15:14.248-06:002010-02-05T08:15:14.248-06:00I don't outline, but I do carry a pad and pen ...I don't outline, but I do carry a pad and pen to jot down ideas or descriptions of places I visit, etc.<br /><br />A lighted pad by your bedside? That's a great idea.Marisa Birnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17945909737147497606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-86536459224134964292010-02-05T07:52:22.595-06:002010-02-05T07:52:22.595-06:00"Outline" is probably too restrictive of..."Outline" is probably too restrictive of a word. There are so many ways to outline a book, from notecards to detailed outlines to basically winging it by making notes after you've written a chapter. Every writer is different. Just like every story is different. And why are stories different? The writers who write them are unique.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-75848726685810106802010-02-05T06:29:05.765-06:002010-02-05T06:29:05.765-06:00I'm an outliner!! Big time.
My outline is a s...I'm an outliner!! Big time.<br /><br />My outline is a slow ramble through the story. It's usually a line or three for each scene, just enough so I remember what was happening.<br /><br />I know so many don't like to outline because they feel restricted. What if they want to change something? But I always view the end of the story as the target, and how can one hit the target if you don't know where you're going? Details can be changed, but I find my basic outline holds true until the end.<br /><br />I think the outline is the easiest thing to write, but then I have a weird way of creating the story in the first place. Maybe I should blog about my unusual process!L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.com