Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
89th out of 321 books
—
503 voters
Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success
by
K.M. Weiland (Goodreads Author)
Writers often look upon outlines with fear and trembling. But when properly understood and correctly wielded, the outline is one of the most powerful weapons in a writer’s arsenal. Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success will:
Help you choose the right type of outline for you
Guide you in brainstorming plot ideas
Aid you in discovering your characters
Show you how to st...more
Help you choose the right type of outline for you
Guide you in brainstorming plot ideas
Aid you in discovering your characters
Show you how to st...more
Paperback, 191 pages
Published
2011
by PenForASword Publishing
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
936)
This book gave me a clue....
"Write what you know," is a common phrase that's thrown around among writers.
"Outlining Your Novel" offers a method to "know." Know the world you are writing about. Know your characters. Know what the world in your head is "about". When you know what you are writing about, the writing goes MUCH easier. There is no getting around it: "knowing" is WORK. Figuring things out like plot, structure, characters ... all that stuff takes some determination and resolve. WORK in...more
"Write what you know," is a common phrase that's thrown around among writers.
"Outlining Your Novel" offers a method to "know." Know the world you are writing about. Know your characters. Know what the world in your head is "about". When you know what you are writing about, the writing goes MUCH easier. There is no getting around it: "knowing" is WORK. Figuring things out like plot, structure, characters ... all that stuff takes some determination and resolve. WORK in...more
I gave 5 stars for this book. People would notice that I give quite high rating for all the books that I listed here because I only buy books that are relevant to my passion. The books have to go through stringent "selection process". I usually put them on a wishlist first and then after a few weeks I will go back and review my selection before finally finalizing my purchase. So if and when I finally purchased some books, I know I've made the right decisions, that the books will serve my immedia...more
I very rarely buy how-to books, but I knew I needed to find a way to streamline the writing process because writing by the seat of my pants (my preferred method for years) no longer seemed to be cutting it. And honestly, what was the worst that could happen if I tried outlining? I'd discover I still hated it and go back to pantsing? Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? (I bought the eBook for five bucks. Seriously not a big deal if I happened to hate it).
I was immediately struck by the conve...more
I was immediately struck by the conve...more
I admit I'm not much of an outliner and never have been. In classes, when an assignment required that we provide an outline with our paper, I always wrote the paper first and made the outline from that.
Novels are different beasts, however. There is a ton of shit to keep track of and I've wasted a lot of time with my current novel (still in first draft phase) meandering through tens of thousands of extra words because my next plot point was unclear. I've found that I benefit significantly from a...more
Novels are different beasts, however. There is a ton of shit to keep track of and I've wasted a lot of time with my current novel (still in first draft phase) meandering through tens of thousands of extra words because my next plot point was unclear. I've found that I benefit significantly from a...more
As a reluctant outliner, I couldn't recommend K.M. Weiland's book more. The techniques she suggests in "Outlining Your Novel" will definitely help me in future projects as I further explore the outlining concept.
Her book is well organized, beginning with many misconceptions about outlines--many of which I used to adhere to until recently--and taking you step-by-step to the start of the actual writing of your novel. Several techniques I'd already begun utilizing prior to reading her book. Many ot...more
Her book is well organized, beginning with many misconceptions about outlines--many of which I used to adhere to until recently--and taking you step-by-step to the start of the actual writing of your novel. Several techniques I'd already begun utilizing prior to reading her book. Many ot...more
Outlining is my weakest point as an author, because outlining (like two people running across a cricket pitch, when only the runs for one will count as a score!) has always struck me as a waste of precious creative time. Weiland’s excellent book has gone a long way to changing my mind.
Well-set out, easy to read and meticulously researched, Weiland’s professional advice is touched with a natural, appropriate humour that makes learning from this text a pleasure.
While Weiland gives solid, practic...more
Well-set out, easy to read and meticulously researched, Weiland’s professional advice is touched with a natural, appropriate humour that makes learning from this text a pleasure.
While Weiland gives solid, practic...more
Though I can't outline, I do look at books on them periodically to see if there is anything I can take away that will help me with my writing. The books seem to come in two categories:
1. You're a pantser or an outliner. We respect that people are different. Here are some tips that may help you.
2. Get with the program! You'll never write a book by doing it this way. Here's how you write an outline.
This book falls in category 2. I felt like it spoke to people who were outliners and maybe had gone...more
1. You're a pantser or an outliner. We respect that people are different. Here are some tips that may help you.
2. Get with the program! You'll never write a book by doing it this way. Here's how you write an outline.
This book falls in category 2. I felt like it spoke to people who were outliners and maybe had gone...more
After reading this book, Outlining Your Novel, I am impressed with the author's keen insight on novel construction. Her book has given me great insight into my currant manuscript. I have been a pantser for years, but when I started working on my current project, at the beginning of this year’s National Novel Writing Month, I soon realized that the idea was just too BIG.
I have had this idea playing around the back of my head for going on ten years now. I thought I had a good sense of where I want...more
I have had this idea playing around the back of my head for going on ten years now. I thought I had a good sense of where I want...more
Oct 21, 2011
Katherine Bayless
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Any author looking to improve their craft.
Shelves:
nonfiction,
writing-related
As a first time author with exactly one book under my belt, I am intensely curious about other authors and how they practice their craft. After connecting with the writing community on Twitter, I discovered that I am a "panster". I wrote Deadly Remains free form without any concrete planning and let my characters direct the story. Although, I had a definite feel for the plot, I had no formal understanding of what factors contribute to a suspenseful, compelling story. I wrote from my gut based on...more
Great book for novelists, fiction and non. I'm currently in the revision stages of my fiction novel, but I've been pantsing it for the most part. I've found myself using the comments feature (on Scrivener) as I write each chapter where I list the details like plots, subplots, points of view, characters, settings, etc. I even started yet another notebook with the scenes written out in some semblance of order, but found myself losing focus when adding subplot scenes in with the plot scenes. I've d...more
The part that I liked the most about this book is that it shows that an outline isn't necessarily a "use roman numerals and indentations" sort of thing that everyone is forced to learn in high school and hates with a burning passion. (You can do that if that strikes your fancy.) Those are the sort of outlines I hate because they seem to rigid for me. The way an outline is described in this book makes me a lot more apt to use it: "it's more like a guideline." It's not necessarily going to be THE...more
OUTLINING YOUR NOVEL: MAP YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS by K.M. Weiland focuses on ways to outline without destroying creativity.
Writers are often divided into two types: plotters and pantsers, but both sides can learn from each other. Outlines don’t have to kill creativity nor take away the thrill of discovering the characters and plot. Through various tools, the writer can learn about their novel in way that doesn’t bore the person. This book also includes interviews with various authors and how they do...more
Writers are often divided into two types: plotters and pantsers, but both sides can learn from each other. Outlines don’t have to kill creativity nor take away the thrill of discovering the characters and plot. Through various tools, the writer can learn about their novel in way that doesn’t bore the person. This book also includes interviews with various authors and how they do...more
Lots of a great advice here. There's obviously a bias toward the idea of outlining your novel before writing, but Weiland manages to point out a wide variety of methods and include voices (via author interviews) of those whose opinions sometimes differ. I'm a planner myself, so I obviously agree with most of what the author says.
Of particular note are the excellent character interview questions and brainstorming techniques.
For me, there was only one drawback. I wish it would have included a sect...more
Of particular note are the excellent character interview questions and brainstorming techniques.
For me, there was only one drawback. I wish it would have included a sect...more
I am an author, and I have discovered that when I write I need to devise a plan or a road map for the story to take shape. When I wrote my first novel, Worlds Without End: The Mission (Book 1), I used what the author, K.M. Weiland, termed “pantsing” – writing by the seat of your pants. Even though I was satisfied with the final product of “The Mission” using this method, I had to revise and edit the novel too many times to count. As a result, I wanted to find out how other authors outline their...more
I wrote my first truly horrible novels seat-of-the-pants style, which lead to several dead ends or signs that read: Bridge Out! Without a road map, I didn’t know of alternate routes, and my wanderings took me down trails that lead to nowhere.
Thanks to K.M. Weiland’s book, I’ve become an outline person. Her book is a must-have for your reference shelf. It’s full of advice for beginning an outline, and using it to mark the path so you won’t get lost. The book offers tips from her own outlines, in...more
Thanks to K.M. Weiland’s book, I’ve become an outline person. Her book is a must-have for your reference shelf. It’s full of advice for beginning an outline, and using it to mark the path so you won’t get lost. The book offers tips from her own outlines, in...more
One of the most useful books on writing fiction that I've found yet. The explanation of the technique of reverse outlining alone is worth more than the entire contents of some other books I've read.
The author explains the benefits of outlining, then presents a variety of ways to do it; she covers topics including choosing point of view, deciding on the event with which to start a story; character development and conflict; building your setting; and structuring and connecting scenes. She also inc...more
The author explains the benefits of outlining, then presents a variety of ways to do it; she covers topics including choosing point of view, deciding on the event with which to start a story; character development and conflict; building your setting; and structuring and connecting scenes. She also inc...more
I'm going to keep this brief, but this is basically one of my favorite books (ever!) on the topic of writing. It was in a pile of how-tos on writing I got for my sweet sixteen this past June, and it was most definitely my favorite. You'd think something like outlining would be obvious and straightforward, but not only did I learn a thing or two, but those things have become seriously important in the modified process. (I also discovered yWriter, which I now adore.)
I found the book quirky and in...more
I found the book quirky and in...more
I only paid a couple of bucks for the Kindle edition of this book, so I wasn't demanding much out of the book and that was for the best as I didn't get a whole lot out of it. Not to say that it was without worth, just that it didn't really feel like anything special. The flavor of the presentation was rather bland most of the time and in many places the information it was presenting felt glossed over. I did get enough out of it that I didn't feel that it wasted my time, but it would have had to...more
This book has some excellent, practical advice for outlining, and it's a great start for writers who are still exploring the "planning" approach. Weiland provides good, specific questions for writers to consider as they contemplate story possibilities. Personally, I find this guide useful for early-stage brainstorming, when first trying to bring characters and their plights into focus. It provides a nice framework for getting down the big picture and zeroing in on the heart of the story.
That bei...more
That bei...more
“Not into outlining? Then someone did not demonstrate it for you the way Weiland has in her book. If you can make a quick trip grocery list, you can outline your next manuscript to benefit your process, using Weiland’s guide.”—Leslie Hultgren
“…this is one of the few writing craft books I have read start to finish, was easy to apply to my writing immediately, and helped me follow through on my first draft.”—F. Colley
“Ms. Weiland presents a wonderful roadmap for writing while still encouraging you...more
“…this is one of the few writing craft books I have read start to finish, was easy to apply to my writing immediately, and helped me follow through on my first draft.”—F. Colley
“Ms. Weiland presents a wonderful roadmap for writing while still encouraging you...more
I found this book to be extremely helpful and chock-full of great pointers and ideas for flushing out my novel. She made me aware of little things I hadn't considered, but that would have an impact on the overall story and also showed me how things I had dismissed as inconsequential can actually be important and helpful in moving the story along.
additionally, what I love is that the book is short and sweet, uses comprehensive language and accessible examples and does not complicate matters to t...more
additionally, what I love is that the book is short and sweet, uses comprehensive language and accessible examples and does not complicate matters to t...more
Embarking upon a major writing project without an outline makes as much sense as sailing the San Juans without a chart or attempting to build a house without any plans. I am so committed to this notion that, many years ago, I outlined my answers to the questions on the bar examination before writing them. Weiland devotes too much of this little handbook for aspiring authors to attempts to convince the reader of the value of outlining. Her straightforward directions are useful and enhanced by sho...more
Excellent book! As an amateur writer, in the back of my mind, I'd always wondered what was wrong with me. Why couldn't I just sit down and, given time, write a novel. About halfway through each time, I lost my focus, my drive... Like that "will power" you're supposed to have to lose weight. So, I blamed myself. I just don't have the personality, strength of character, or whatever it takes to be an author.
And now I realize a couple things: writing a novel is still tough, tough work, but it takes...more
And now I realize a couple things: writing a novel is still tough, tough work, but it takes...more
Outlining a novel may sound simple enough, but when a beginner realizes their story possibilities are endless, and travels down the wrong path too many times wasting precious time, a good outline becomes priceless. Weiland's book helps writers-established and beginners alike-learn that outlining is a good tool to use without sacrificing creativity. Weiland helps with formulating a strong useable outline beginning with a simple story idea and gradually works through the organization process, dist...more
I just finished reading this little gem. It couldn't have come at a better time. I had just plunged into an old idea that wouldn't let me go, but it was giving me fits. I didn't know where/how to start. Then K. M. Weiland's book was reviewed by two friends of mine, so I thought I'd better check it out. I did. And now things are beginning to make a whole lot more sense. I have a long way to go to finish the outline, but I think it will be well worth it the time.
For any writer, pantster or not, I...more
For any writer, pantster or not, I...more
I have not been a hard core outliner. I usually have a premise and characters and a sense of the beginning, middle and end. As my project list has expanded I really wanted to manage my time more effectively.
I will probably not incorporate everything this time around but it gave me a great road map for possible ways to go about outlining and investing the time upfront to make the back-end less frustrating and the final product better. Who can argue with that.
A must read for any serious author wh...more
I will probably not incorporate everything this time around but it gave me a great road map for possible ways to go about outlining and investing the time upfront to make the back-end less frustrating and the final product better. Who can argue with that.
A must read for any serious author wh...more
This was a guide to outlining I picked up from an author I follow on Twitter, and I found it an interesting, albeit brief guide to outlining novels. It runs through the types of outlines one can use for their novels as she highlights her own method and how it works for her, as well as features insightful blurbs from authors who use their own techniques of outlining and the different ways one can use it to work for them. I really liked this and I will likely return to this to try some of the tech...more
I follow K.M. Weiland's blog and I look forward to every one of her posts. They are always very informative, concise and easy to implement. That is why I immediately purchased this book, and although I was never fond of outlining, I now realize I just didn't know how.
And that is what this book is about - it doesn't just tell you to do this or that, it shows you HOW to do it. There are a lot of useful tips, I downloaded the free software and I browsed many other resources she provides.
This book w...more
And that is what this book is about - it doesn't just tell you to do this or that, it shows you HOW to do it. There are a lot of useful tips, I downloaded the free software and I browsed many other resources she provides.
This book w...more
K. M. Weiland's book on outlining is written with good cheer and energy - it's a quick read and even if you don't like doing outlines, there's sure to be stuff in this that's of use. It's almost convinced me to try my hand at outlining again and I've never really been able to do them.
So that's on the plus side.
On the other hand, I feel like it's a bit heavy on non-outliners/pantsers. The book is basically 'Some do outlines, some don't and they're both right... but you should totally outline'. If...more
So that's on the plus side.
On the other hand, I feel like it's a bit heavy on non-outliners/pantsers. The book is basically 'Some do outlines, some don't and they're both right... but you should totally outline'. If...more
Most of the other reviews cover it pretty well. What I liked about this book is that K.M. Weiland presents several variations on the humble outline.
Most people hearing the word 'outline' immediately remember I. A. 1. a. and all the indenting and if you have A and B, then you must have C and on and on.... THAT kind of outlining is a nightmare, and there is no way I could use it to get my stories straight.
K.M. Weiland also includes interviews with authors who choose to outline or not and why or...more
Most people hearing the word 'outline' immediately remember I. A. 1. a. and all the indenting and if you have A and B, then you must have C and on and on.... THAT kind of outlining is a nightmare, and there is no way I could use it to get my stories straight.
K.M. Weiland also includes interviews with authors who choose to outline or not and why or...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
K.M. Weiland writes historical and speculative fiction from her home in the sandhills of western Nebraska. She enjoys mentoring other authors through her blog Wordplay: Helping Writers Become Authors (http://wordplay-kmweiland.blogspot.com).
More about K.M. Weiland...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
Jul 18, 2012 07:55am