So I know I can be a little bit late with updates here...but there is a lot going on these days. lol!
Anyway, I really hope these are actually helping. Just a few more posts and we'll be getting to the real interesting stuff!
In the last post, I wrote about writing down an overall summary for your novel/story/book, which includes major plot development. Today's post is all about the second step...The PLOT OUTLINE.
Yes...it sounds like you're doing the same thing over, but...you're not. Or at least I don't think so.
My plot outlines include a lot of information...I wish I was kidding. I think my plot outline for IOT was about 10 pages back and front with a lot of scribbling in the margins.
While my over all summary tends to include just the main points of development, and how some of the characters will be feeling; the plot outline is where I jot down other events that will happen. It was actually through my plot outline that I was able to come to a conclusion about Mia and her relationship with her mother.
While plot outlines for me give me the chance to flesh out details in my story, they differ from what I will be posting about next week -chapter outlines- since my chapter outlines go into even more...detail about the specific chapter, and I don't always have to write those; whereas I can't live without my plot outline. (A hint here...it's all about detail...for me...)
I love plot outlines because I can include all the things that would not be considered major in the overall summary in here.
For example my plot outline for If Only Tonight included:
- The span of years the story would take place over
- Mia's interview with Felix
- Mia rushing in to Matthew and Oliver's room during the lightening and mistaking Matthew's bed
- Stacie moving away
- Mia being attacked by Jason
- The reason why Matthew and Jason hated each other
- The trip to Luxembourg where Mia's mother called her only to berate her
- Mia and Matthew going on that trip to Italy and meeting Matthew's mom
- The game where Mia got hit by the ball (here...there were two ways it could have played out...I was debating on whether to have a player head butt her...or the ball...in the end...well you know!)
- Lina loving Mia's moving in and figuring out that she liked Matthew after the whole girl staying over
- The silent treatment Mia got from Matthew after the Christmas Gala kiss and how Oliver helped her put him down as undeclared for the match
- Matthew and Mia starting to argue over the transfer
- Matthew signing his contract on Mia's birthday
So there were a lot of things I put down - apparently 10 pages worth...there is more. I did write at the top of each page what year those events would take place in order to organize them. Some times I ended up moving something from one year to another in order to make the story flow better or make sense. (Another reason why I love outlines!) Outlines are also where I initially start to separate what will happen in what chapter, so I'll have brackets and stuff labelling which stuff I want in which chapter.
Admittedly...there were times when I would read the outline and be like...why can't I just post this? (It was when I thought I wouldn't be able to finish...lol...)
Anyway, plot outlines are great! I think they really help organize your thoughts. If you are a scatter brain like me, they are a huge help in completing the project and keeping you on track. For me, especially during IOT, I tried to keep to the outline as much as I could. Sometimes an extra chapter or extra event can kind of wreck the overall story, so unless I thought it was absolutely necessary...I didn't stray far from the outline. (Believe me...I was on the straight and narrow...)
As you can see, for me it's about organizing before I start something. I think the less organized I am...the more likely I am to not finish...it's quite motivating...(I understand how weird that may sound...-_-')
Well, I hope this was interesting...I will try to post the last part sooner, and get one with the good stuff!!!
Much Love,
Andene xx
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