Sambgood

Do you outline before you write a draft?

I do—sort of. Writing topics come to me in little lines and words; everything is vague, but I write it down. The topics then transform into non-linear scenes. I keep those in my head. After a while though, I can see a relationship between the scenes, understanding and forming what leads and exits. These thinly connected scenes make up my outline.

I usually write out a summary of each scene scattered around the page(s) then have details underneath with no specific order. Afterwards, I draw arrows to know the order and mark important scenes. On or around the lines, I begin to note smaller scenes and transitions with dialogue and description. Most times, however, I write out my scenes instead of summarizing it with the actual words, crossing out what I don’t like, connecting those that work, and color-coding according to the time I wrote it. (For example: 7/2 = red ink; 7/3 = black ink; 7/4 = pencil. I like dating everything.) When I feel like I have, at least, the backbone of the story, I begin writing my first draft.

Sometimes, I write as it comes to me. Some writers write it like that; some don’t. That method may take a long time and the story may be bogged down with unnecessary information.

Outlines can be beneficial because it’s a blueprint. It’s a map that will be sure to lead you logically from beginning to end. You can catch plot and character mistakes more easily, and having an outline may speed up the writing process for your drafts. Three interesting ways to outline are:

• use colored index cards to map out their story and characters.
• Use Spreadsheets
• use Post-It notes

Do you outline? If so, what format/ how do you outline? How many methods have you tried? Why or why not outline? What are your thoughts on them?

As you think of your answers, I thought I’d share a few pictures of my writing outlines:

 This is an outline I did for an essay.  You can see the arrows connecting each section, and the alternating colors. Messy, I know.  But writing it in different angles and with spaces allowed me to add and remove lines and information. The outline began turning into an unorganized draft.

This essay outline has a mixture of arrows, colors, and “bullets.” The traditional form with bullets can be seen in the top margin in blue.  Underneath, I begin my usual way of jotting lines and connecting them.  Sometimes, I don’t even connect the scenes: I’ll either write it in a different color or leave space in between, indicating my “holes.” Such a method helps me get past writer’s block.

This outline is not supposed to read sideways like this.  It should be vertical, but I didn’t understand how to upload the picture that way. I apologize.

Another unfortunate sideway outline.