  Short Stories
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This Short Stories Newsletter is dedicated to readers and writers of short fiction and to those who want to know more about the art of telling big stories in small spaces.
This month:
Hear me out: sometimes you can outline your story later! Outlining in reverse can help you revise in a new light. |
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So, in an effort to get after that trunk we talked about last month, I've been using a variety of nifty approaches to reading, editing, and revising. One little trick I've started using is what I call "reverse outlining." I use this mostly with stories that I'm not quite sure if they have all of the component elements to make them fully fledged pieces with a solid grip on plot, action, and other key story elements. It's similar to the kind of story exercises one might do in middle or high school, but it works even on things that aren't ready to be published yet.
Here's how it works--
I read (or reread...) the story in question and try to break it down into its core components, as many of them as will fit, starting from the end and working my way forward.
So if we're working from an assumption of at least barebones-level adherence to Freytag structure (here) , then my outline looks like:
(denouement) -- a quick description of the resolution of the story
(falling action) -- the events that will lead to the resolution
(climax) -- the crux of the story action; the point of change
(rising action) -- the events that will lead to the climax
(exposition) -- the opening developments that allow the reader to enter the written world
I try to leave myself a little space for each element of the story, so that I can pick out things that worked as well as things that need improvement. Working backwards has the benefit of helping you to see the plot structure from a distance. Even seat-of-pants plotters can use an outline that works backwards as a means of "checking your work" to be sure that all the elements of your story line up once the story's been written.
Once the key points are marked out, It's time to assess what you've got. Sometimes I find it helpful to do scene-by-scene breakdowns; I do this mostly with stories which have a lot of scene changes, since it may be possible to tighten up story action by consolidating scenes or adding new scenes to make existing scenes more clear.
It's not uncommon to work backwards or to "check your work" in math-- here's just one way of many to do so with your own stories or with stories you review for other authors. Happy revising!
Until next month,
Take care and Write on!
~jay |
This issue's picks-- be sure to check them all out! 
Don't forget to give the Random Read a look this month, too! Reviewing is one way to hone your own writing skills and help other authors at the same time. Since Random Reads are pulled from the Recently Online list, you're much more likely to send suggestions to active writers looking to improve as well.
Random Read |
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Feedback from last month's NL: "Taking Stock of the Trunk"
hellokitty  writes:
After reading this newsletter it really gave me the inspiration to dig into the old notebook closet and dig out some stories...
 that's what I like to hear! 
Turkey DrumStik  writes:
If I can get through all my photo stuff this year, I'm hoping to do some trunk cleaning (including a short-ish piece I first drafter seven year ago {e:facepalm}). That'll at least clear my head/rev me up for my end of the year short story project (since 2012's didn't get released in time for the holidays).
I know what you mean there, I've had a lot of things that have completely gone off-schedule due to timing delays. . There's something about the period between... uh... the month before NaNo, and, like, March, where stuff starts falling into this black hole of crazy. Here's to 2013?
Jeff  writes:
I have so many trunk scripts and stories (and portions thereof) that I think my trunk is more like an entire basement or attic at this point.
 I should really, really not admit how readily I identify with this. If there is such a thing as a story hoarder... I am a story hoarder. Luckily, I have that Dropbox subscription to handle the overflow...{e:whistlesinnocently}
Quick-Quill  writes:
I have many things in my old notebooks. I have "Squirrel" issues. I see something or read something and immediately that question "What if this happened" causes me to want to grab a notebook and write it down. I could write some great TV plots...
I like to think "What if..." is the most dangerous question-- and, by necessity, one of the juiciest! Keep filling that trunk-notebook, it's a great resource.
hopelesslyoptm submits "Invalid Item" by A Guest Visitor
with the following:
Thank you for mentioning the Earn Your Upgrade contest in your NL. I hope we get lots of entries in January as a result of this! :)
re-mentioning it here in the comments section because I think it's a great concept! There's no such thing as bad publicity, amirite? -- but in all seriousness, anyone who thinks they could use an upgrade should definitely check out Chris's contest!
NaNoNette  writes:
Good idea to go check out that old brick-a-brack. I've got a bunch of started and never ended stories. Each time I read those beginnings, I remember where I wanted to go with those, but then I put them back in the trunk. Maybe I'll make 2013 the year of out of the trunk.
I like the way you think, lady!  I am trying to do the same this year, barring the now-annual gauntlet of speedbumps that seems to plague every winter for me.
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Short Stories: February 05, 2013 Issue [#5505]
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