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| I didn't write much today but I did make a huge breakthrough (and spent some money...). While reading some outline help articles listed by Writing.com, I found one comment that stuck with me. The writer said something about note cards--a quick suggestion that he didn't go into much detail about. I decided to try using note cards out in an effort to organize my thoughts better and keep the word count for my outline short.I'd been struggling for a while, and was getting exhausted and burnt out from slaving over the outline on regular pieces of paper that began to multiply and confuse me. The note cards were an instant success. I realized that if I wrote each major scene on a series of note cards for one chapter (Example: Chapter one, scene one, chapter one, scene two, ect) then I could easily rewrite one scene that was "bugging me" or just wasn't quite right without having to rewrite the whole damn thing--again. I can see the chapter laid out in front of me bit by bit. Its perfect. I hang the bundle on my oversized cork board, the other chapters going up beside the first one by one. Perfect--exactly what I needed to focus on writing less and fixing problems. I can easily go back and change whatever I want in a matter of minutes. Also bought a white board that hangs on the other side of my room, already full of notes and process tracker checklists. On my both sides of my room I ahve my story yelling at me to get to work, and I love it. |
| Thanks--I'm pretty jazzed about it. Feel like this is going to save me so much time--the boards are already filling up. Can't believe I didn't realize this earlier |
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| I don't have writers block but I am struggling with composing the outline of my novel. I write and rewrite each chapter summary, about three or so pages--which is long, yes, but vital for the writing process that I use. I suppose the first five or so chapters must be the hardest because of the sensitive detail to set up the book, because I can't seem to get through even those without rewriting the whole plan. Again. This is the third time and I'm getting a mixed feeling of frustration and excitement. The more I re-write the better the story gets--it makes more sense, connected better, and is even more interesting. But, God, is this exhausting. I'm going to have to celebrate when I get through the fifth chapter outline (roughly the end of the beginning of the story), and I haven't even started really writing yet. I know though that struggling through the outline until its flawless will take of the stress of actual writing later. Can't wait till then because this--again--is sucking the life out of me (but in a good way). |
| Coral, Welcome to WDC. It's great to have you here. I hope you are finding your away around okay. If you have questions you can post them here in your notebook/newsfeed or even drop me an e-mail and I would be glad to help if I can. Unsolicited advice here. Only meant to give you food for thought. Hope you don't mind. Have you used the process of outlining this way before for a novel? Coming up with a flawless outline is an exercise in frustration at the very least and a path to failure worst case. Unless you fall into the category of very rare authors that is as very few can write/outline flawlessly). Not to mention, the minute one of your characters decides on a different way than you had planned your entire outline goes out the window. If your outline has to be flawless you won't likely get to write your entire novel. Nothing is perfect, flawless for most an unlikely and extremely high expectation. One thing that all of the authors and professors who teach/write about the craft of writing seem to agree on one point... First draft novels are meant to be CRAP. The story you are meant to tell will be found in the rewrites and editing process. free writing, getting everything out of you head, it will be messy, chaotic, bad and in all of the garbage, in all of that quantity you will find pieces, gems of high quality. Many believe and I agree you can only become a good writer by allowing yourself to write badly. So try not to drive yourself crazy with the roller coaster ride you are on. I highly recommend the novel Immediate Fiction by Jerry Cleaver if you are interested in learning another process/craft. Many of us are outlining our NaNoWriMo novels right now for the midnight start of writing a 50k novel in 30 Days beginning November 1st. That might be of interest as the prep group and its calendar of activities and resources may also be of interest. Nanowrimo.org and "October Novel Prep Challenge"  Wishing you all the best with your outlining and novel. |
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