Well, I finally got around to posting...sorry if I'm a little late. Loads of family craziness since my cousin got married, and there have been quite a few family members coming in from out of the country.
So today's post is about one of the most important tools I have when writing...or at least I think it is quite necessary. I've never been able to write anything without one...I swear! It's called...the OUTLINE.
When writing IOT...I had three outlines to refer to:
- An overall summary
- Plot outline
- Chapter outline
So I will break it down in to three posts, starting off with the overall summary.
For me, an overall summary is where I write down what I hope will happen, and its kind of like what you find at the back of a novel, just really, really...LONG. Yes...it's in full sentences and big huge paragraphs...(well...for me...)
In my overall summaries, I tend to include major plot development. For example, in IOT my overall summary included:
- Matthew trying to drive Mia crazy at work...and pushing her to quit
- Mia becoming good friends with Oliver and Nathaniel
- How both of them have to deal with their mothers...
- Matthew having to go to the police station because of Jason
- Mia's brother's death
- The kiss that would lead Matthew to freak out...(LOL!)
- The tension caused by Matthew's impending transfer
- Meeting up in Canada during Mia's vacation
While for SWFF my summary included:
- Dallas moving back to London and going to the soccer try-outs
- Natalia hating him for disappointing the town even though she had a childhood crush
- Natalia being an over achiever and working like a maniac for good grades...(Wow...I'm trying hard to remember right now...oh dear...I hope you get the point...)
- Dallas irritating Natalia and trying to get her to see 'the real' him
There have been times when I have not really thought something out. My summary for IOT was a cliffhanger...why? Well, because I wasn't entirely sure how they would get back together while in Canada, and what would happen with Mia's mother. I was still debating on whether or not Mia and her mother would finally make up. But I did know that they would go to Canada, and something would happen...lol...yes...at times my summary can have some vague parts.
Since I have posted my SWFF summary on Facebook, you can all see it ends on a question.=S But, that was not due to having second thoughts...I was just trying to entertain myself. =D SWFF had a more simpler summary in comparison to IOT (which I should find sometime to scan and post)...so I didn't feel the need to write it all out.
I love summaries because that's where you can play with your ideas, put them in to paragraphs, and see how it's going to flow. It's kind of like the initial story. It has all the significant story lines, and it gives you a basic idea of how well it could potentially turn out. I love summaries because it gives me a chance to really think some of my ideas through and for the ones that might not work, I have a shot at adjusting them or removing them completely before I start out the plot outline. =)
Personally, for me, I know that if I can write out the summary and the outlines...I can do the story; it's a clear indication of how well I have thought out the idea in my head. Usually if I struggle with the summary...it means the story will not be going well. An example of this is ATWCB...there was an extremely short summary...and as I said before...I used to write it out and post it on the same day. It was only later on that I started writing plot ideas and chapter outlines for ATWCB. You can see a clear transition from ATWCB to SWFF and then to IOT...it's probably why I feel IOT turned out just the way I wanted!
Anyway, I really hope you guys are finding this helpful...I know it can sound like the ramblings of a crazy person...but...here's hoping you can get something from it. ;)
So next time, I'll post part two...on plot outlines! (The fun begins!)
Hope you guys are enjoying your return to school!
Much love,
Andene xx
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