Dept. of Almost

[kaffy_r]

Outlines: Threat or Menace?

Today, I took a walk to my local hipster coffee shop (any coffee shop within walking distance apparently falls under that designation, I suppose, but this was the one closest to me), armed with nothing but my phone and a yellow notepad. And in between drinking a passable cup of coffee with a reasonable amount of oatmilk and some fake sugar, wrestling with my phone, I actually got to work on an outline for the story I've already written more than 50,000 words in. 

My type of outline, which is my outline. I want my outline, Nurse Ratched -  

Pay no attention to that. 

It doesn't look like a classic outline of any type, more like "and then this happens, and then this happens." But I did preface it by asking two questions: What are my characters' goals? And, more importantly, what is my goal? With those two questions asked and answered, I felt a little more sure of where I want the story to go. 

Yes, I wrote a novel's worth of words with nary an idea of what the hell it was doing or where it was going. Moving on ....

I still have some more outlining to do, but I declare my time at the hipster coffee shop a success. 

Regarding the coffee shop, I got a kick out of the fact that the music they had playing was the best of 1980s new wave. If they didn't know it was roughly 40 years old - frankly, if they did know and were being all hipster retro - all I could think was "They are such children." Heh. 

And with that, it's time to retire, but not before I wish thisbluespirit  a belated happy birthday. I hope it went well. 

Comments

[elisi]

It doesn't look like a classic outline of any type, more like "and then this happens, and then this happens." But I did preface it by asking two questions: What are my characters' goals? And, more importantly, what is my goal? With those two questions asked and answered, I felt a little more sure of where I want the story to go.
Go you! And *your* outline should definitely be *yours*. Writing is a very personal thing, trying to write like other people is pointless.

Yes, I wrote a novel's worth of words with nary an idea of what the hell it was doing or where it was going. Moving on ....
Oh this sounds familiar. Here is what I wrote in the Notes when I first began posting 'All Breakages Must Be Paid For:

"Looking back at the nightmare of writing this fic, the main problem was simply working out what the story was about. And I could only do that by writing it... Which was difficult because I didn't know what it was about. *g* (Please don't ask what it's about.)"

So happy writing! I am sure it will work out. ^_^

[kaffy_r]

trying to write like other people is pointless.

You're so right. It's fine and dandy to read other people's writing and take lessons from it, if one wants, but to copy? It means one hasn't learned much.

Oh this sounds familiar ... So happy writing! I am sure it will work out.

Bless you. I actually got some more done on my I-want-MY-outline-Nurse-Ratched, and I continue to be pleased with where things are, apparently, going.

[mxcatmoon]

Your post made me LOL. It's true, though, after 30,000 words or so, figuring out the structure of the story becomes slightly more important. I wrote a couple of novels in my time, and I found I actually had to do some planning. Go figure. 😉 Sounds like a fun adventure, though!

[kaffy_r]

I'm glad I gave you a chuckle!

I got more done on the outline today (Friday morning), and I continue to be pleased with the process. That's a bit to my own surprise, but I'll run with it.