tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post1261845898946164831..comments2023-10-11T09:22:33.136-04:00Comments on Paperback Writer: Novel Outlining 101Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-48901484947474576092021-02-19T12:17:21.894-05:002021-02-19T12:17:21.894-05:00Good advice, especially for writers who prefer to ...Good advice, especially for writers who prefer to let the story flow. Thanks.the authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03220786472896283714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-89189016730367260232021-02-16T13:58:04.094-05:002021-02-16T13:58:04.094-05:00I don't use alot of outlines since I let my st...I don't use alot of outlines since I let my stories flow on it's own pace. Outlines can summarize the stories plot but when you try to change them, you'll end up with a new plot that you need to rewrite. So I always first identify the main point such as the characters, settings, and intentions. And also make sure to have a backup plot, incase you don't like the way your story outline going.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14320444710918822642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-4404270198334094752018-08-16T08:51:05.550-04:002018-08-16T08:51:05.550-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.atif xhaikhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02930570824595079707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-63692079093547923172017-08-17T17:54:00.845-04:002017-08-17T17:54:00.845-04:00Thanks, Mary. You can add whatever you like to yo...Thanks, Mary. You can add whatever you like to your outline, as long as it's helpful to you. :)the authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03220786472896283714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-88279372420829433302017-08-17T16:24:11.810-04:002017-08-17T16:24:11.810-04:00I like this post! I did a chapter by chapter outli...I like this post! I did a chapter by chapter outline, but I put talking in it, is that alright? mary cnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-88265111161552768262016-06-23T15:15:48.533-04:002016-06-23T15:15:48.533-04:00I've been trying to figure out a way to outlin...I've been trying to figure out a way to outline forever now. I do have one way I outline, but it is mainly just the main points of the story that need to happen to have a complete story. I guess it's been too many years since learning how to outline in school and I just couldn't wrap my head around to do it for a fictional story. This is the best description/way I've researched so far and am very likely to use it and see how it and me, the pantser, get along. Thank you so much for sharing.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10063857806215887224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-16220053909554075102016-04-21T06:31:21.296-04:002016-04-21T06:31:21.296-04:00That was such a useful and incredible post to help...That was such a useful and incredible post to help avoid the scribbles of adding extras and changing my mind in a notepad!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-28497541764521374572016-04-11T14:06:07.433-04:002016-04-11T14:06:07.433-04:00thank you for the wonderful post.
Elizabeththank you for the wonderful post.<br />ElizabethAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-18504317641948481412015-08-22T00:35:54.421-04:002015-08-22T00:35:54.421-04:00I used to not be able to finish anything, but now....I used to not be able to finish anything, but now... I MADE A NOVEL AND 2 finished shorts, all outlined in 2 days... OMG<br />THIS METHOD WORKS! It helped me reach the end and with patience. This is a golden key to all writing outlining methodsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-76731825099931067072015-03-18T19:14:41.495-04:002015-03-18T19:14:41.495-04:00I have read article after article about outlining,...I have read article after article about outlining, the snowflake method, this method, that method and I was still struggling. Your post just broke it down into a way that is so simple yet sounds so effect that I am amazed I couldn't just think of this myself. Thank you so much for writing this. I'm off to outline my novel!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-82596864937493043022014-10-11T11:40:53.333-04:002014-10-11T11:40:53.333-04:00I think cutting off chapters and scenes are about ...I think cutting off chapters and scenes are about knowing when it would make the chapter or scene more powerful. If you have a chance to add in a cliff hanger, do it. If you feel like saying more will ruin the scene or chapter, cut it off there. Don't worry about word count. Just stick to what feels right. If you feel like it gives the chapter or scene more impact and power, that's where it should be cut off.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10757040760840356519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-76366594746797410492014-03-24T14:06:47.156-04:002014-03-24T14:06:47.156-04:00This is definitely an "aha!" post. Thank...This is definitely an "aha!" post. Thank you so much for sharing the solution to a big challenge to my writing.Delora Dennishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04605995044453747609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-19286067344711607702014-02-11T09:59:11.800-05:002014-02-11T09:59:11.800-05:00after writing non-fiction, mostly technical papers...after writing non-fiction, mostly technical papers and theses for most of my life I would never consider any writing project without an outline, thanks for a very interesting and helpful readJohn Dyhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15030825278881460771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-87790713734717576582013-11-11T23:45:05.456-05:002013-11-11T23:45:05.456-05:00I have to agree with Brad in that many of us were ...I have to agree with Brad in that many of us were educated utilizing outlines, my high school was big on them and I depended on them in college. Now I use them in many aspects of my life. I respect Brad for knowing this works for him, and so should others. That being said, I think and encourage new authors to utilize outlines for their maiden voyage. Most writers can go without after that. I am on my second and have not used one this time. Whether it is the subject matter or mindset but I cannot use one this time. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-55681561096225028062013-01-28T03:45:57.609-05:002013-01-28T03:45:57.609-05:00This is very helpful! Thank you so much :-)This is very helpful! Thank you so much :-)Mildred Achochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13849811094628942822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-42164991003140711062012-10-10T22:55:18.594-04:002012-10-10T22:55:18.594-04:00Thank you so much. This is incredibly helpful. <...Thank you so much. This is incredibly helpful. <3Lisa D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15942420527444449745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-83804781912451720132012-09-23T22:11:26.290-04:002012-09-23T22:11:26.290-04:00Still a fan of the outline. It's the only way ...Still a fan of the outline. It's the only way I can organize my thoughts. jollyreaperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05673007647719726846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-78259294862924756282012-09-23T18:34:09.226-04:002012-09-23T18:34:09.226-04:00Well, here I am, five years after this was origina...Well, here I am, five years after this was originally posted, and I'm saving it to my computer. I abhor outlines, but I can see how desperately I need them. I'm now 100-ish pages into draft 2 of my first novel and have so drastically changed gears that I'm not sure where I'm going anymore. Now is the point where I learn to love outlines. :-/ <br /><br />Thanks for this!Mrs. Ohboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13835165954123346063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-43182049768240957502012-09-18T10:42:02.767-04:002012-09-18T10:42:02.767-04:00Thanks for the info. I need that. Thanks for the info. I need that. how to climbhttp://how-to-climb.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-82481830870782945102012-09-18T08:40:18.374-04:002012-09-18T08:40:18.374-04:00In all things writing you have to do what works fo...In all things writing you have to do what works for you. Thanks for sharing your results. :)the authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03220786472896283714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-89527570397840876312012-09-18T08:26:12.596-04:002012-09-18T08:26:12.596-04:00I will admit that after writing 6 novels I thought...I will admit that after writing 6 novels I thought I'd give this whole outline thing a try. Big mistake! Not only has it slowed me down, but it has caused my output to be so stifled that I am drastically behind on my latest novel. So I threw the outline away, and am on track to finish my second and final draft over the next few weeks. <br /><br />Outlines work for some, but for people like myself they are a really bad idea and will not help no matter what. But how do I keep track of all the stuff in my novel? Easy, I have a notebook for ever novel, which I jot down all that happens after I've written it, and so I just refer back to the notebook when I'm not sure about something. <br /><br />Average time to completed novel is three months, that's draft, final and revisions requested by my editor/publisher. I publish a couple novels a year, and earn enough to not have to work other than on the novels. <br /><br />BTW, my last three novels have earned me a major amount of money, and there is an option of the first two by a major film producer. We'll see what happens, but my way is working for me, and outlines may work for others.Dazzsanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-72407506279475259972012-09-11T00:00:54.365-04:002012-09-11T00:00:54.365-04:00I found this webpage almost 5 years to the date af...I found this webpage almost 5 years to the date after it was written - and I love it! Thank you for sharing these ideas. You are a gem!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-78317183913975129272012-07-12T04:46:59.456-04:002012-07-12T04:46:59.456-04:00Thank you so much. I have literally just started ...Thank you so much. I have literally just started a novel. This post has been amazingly helpful and is exactly what I needed in this moment. Again I can't say thank you enough. I will be re-blogging this on my own blog! Again I just can't say how thankful I am. Can't wait to find my way through your archives.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12432171457262205486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-48707328996409345372012-07-11T22:59:52.584-04:002012-07-11T22:59:52.584-04:00I have been trying to write a novel since I was 7,...I have been trying to write a novel since I was 7, now I'm almost 17 and have still been unsuccessful. I've always thought that outlines were too much trouble and what's the point but that was after being told to DRAW an outline by my 6th grade library teacher. Thank you so much for this post!! I'm going to start outlining! SQUEE!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01769906689107253716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-59662437816914658622012-07-01T11:36:45.300-04:002012-07-01T11:36:45.300-04:00This is so easy to understand. Although I know wri...This is so easy to understand. Although I know writing a novel is no simple task, seeing your outline style makes it a little less daunting. Thanks for posting!FavorChildnoreply@blogger.com