Monday, March 7, 2011

How I Outline

I’m spending the next week putting the finishing touches on my plot outline before I begin writing the first draft of book number three. I thought I’d give you a glimpse into my process.

I sold my last two books off synopses. So, I’ve already brainstormed, and I have a general structure for the book. I like to go further by creating an outline that tells me exactly what I’m going to write for each scene. I do this by creating a detailed spreadsheet that I use as the blueprint for my book.

I label the columns of my spreadsheet “Chapter,” “Scene Summary,” “POV,” “Setting,” “Goal/Reaction,” “Conflict/Dilemma,” and “Disaster/Decision.” If you don’t understand the significance of the last three columns, you should definitely check out Randy Ingermanson’s article on scenes and sequels.

Each row represents a scene in my novel. The novels I write for Heartsong are between 45,000 and 50,000 words. My scenes tend to be about 1,000 words long. I plan for two scenes per chapter (usually one in the hero’s POV and one in the heroine’s POV). Therefore, I have around 25 chapters and approximately 50 rows. Everyone writes different chapter and scene lengths; this is simply what works best for me.

Are you still with me?

I have additional sheets in my spreadsheet for the heroine’s profile and the hero’s profile. There’s also a sheet that includes miscellaneous information including my theme or story question, setting information, and any other details I need to track.

My novel tends to deviate a lot from this spreadsheet, and I almost always have to go back and revise it during the writing or editing stage. So why do I spend all this time on the spreadsheet? There are three reasons.

1. It forces me to take a close look and answer questions about my book before I start writing, which saves me time in the end.
2. When I’m working on the rough draft, it helps me dive straight into writing when I open my WIP.
3. During the editing stage, I can go back to the spreadsheet and look at my entire book in only a few pages.

If you’d like a copy of my spreadsheet, send me an email at julie (at) juliejarnagin (dot) com. I’d be happy to share it.

What’s your process? Pantsers, does my process sound crazy to you?

23 comments:

  1. I'm not a pantser but your outlining is really detailed. And I love it! No wonder you were able to sell by synopsis.

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  2. For the most part, I consider myself a pantser, but I've always had to plot out benchmark events before starting. I've been trying to learn some plotting techniques lately and find your spreadsheets intriguing.

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  3. I have spreadsheet method I use as well. I do notice that knee deep into the novel the process becomes a bit more organic and I can deviate a little from the initial plan. I let my characters off the leash once in a while if things start to feel dry. That works too. ;)

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  4. For my own artwork, I tend to wing it. This is really an exercise to allow me to be more spontaneous. For commission work, pieces are planned, revised, and done out. And sometimes done out again.

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  5. Nice and plotted. I tend to be a semi-plotter and a character just showed up unexpectedly. I'm going to have to figure out what to do with him...make sure he belongs in my WIP, etc.

    ~ Wendy

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  6. I have never used a spreadsheet but would love to see yours. Wow. You are one organized lady!!

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  7. Wow, that has to help cut down on the chaos of first drafts a little. I'm totally impressed. Right now, I have two hundred notecards in no particular order, and I desperately need a way to make this all make sense to me, so I think I'll give your outline a try. Thanks!

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  8. Love your process! I may have to make a similar spreadsheet. The idea really appeals to me!

    Thanks for sharing. :)

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  9. This spreadsheet idea is incredible and sounds so organized. I'm struggling with keeping all of my information together; everything seems to be flying around in various Word documents. Great post and love hearing about your process!

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  10. This is FANTASTIC info - thanks, Julie! I am working on outlining my next WIP and was getting a bit lost at the organization. This will help tremendously :)

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  11. Sounds like a great process! I do chapter by chapter, scene by scene outlines but I doubt they're quite as detailed as what you do. There are definitely things I have to know before writing, though, and for the most part, my story doesn't stray too much from my outline.

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  12. Julie, I'm a pantser turned plotter. Spending two years in Revision Land while getting one story ready for submission taught me that I don't want to do that again. I've got a plotting system that breaks things down much like yours. It might drive some people nuts, but it works well for me. =)

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  13. I love hearing about everyone's process! Thanks for all the great comments!

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  14. Every time I try and plot with charts and sheets, I get so bogged down I don't end up writing. Though when I get to the stage where I can sell off of a synopsis, I'd love to have your charts!

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  15. Hey Julie,

    I just realized the difference between what I do and what you do. I fill in the blanks after I've already written the scene/Chapter. You do it before. Big difference, especially if you're doing a proposal.
    Hmmm... I'll have to try it your way!

    Cheers,
    Sue

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  16. My scene lists are quite similar to yours. Mine change as I write too. I'm able to write faster and tighter because of my outline.

    Have fun writing!!

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  17. Julie, I'd love to see your spreadsheet. I'm still not too adept at creating them. I can use ones already made, but I don't know all the ins and outs of creating them yet.

    lr (dot) mullin (at) live (dot) com

    Loved the post. Thanks!
    Linnette

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  18. This is one of the most detailed outlining processes I've ever seen. You must be quite a planner. My lack of organization would probably sicken you. I sit down to write and don't even think about outlining unless I get stuck.

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  19. Maggie - Your way doesn't sicken me at all! It would be nice to start writing without all the planning. Unfortunately, my mind just doesn't work that way.

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  20. This sounds wonderful! I'd love a copy. I just sent you an email. Oh, and the article you linked to was very helpful, too. Thanks!

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  21. I love your system, Julie. I do pretty much everything you describe but hadn't thought about using pages in a spreadsheet. That might simplify the process. Thanks for sharing.

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  22. Having made it through life as a seat-of-the-pants girl, I'm attempting to do more plotting. Trying to tie together 110,000 wild words of NaNo is exhausting, confusing, and frustrating. I'd love a copy of your spread sheet and will use those ideas for the story that is left after my first major slashing is complete. Thanks for your most generous offer to share!! (I'll send you an email.)

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