Outlining

When I got ready to write “For Better or Worse,” I was determined to make it my best story yet. To achieve that, I decided I was going to write a thorough outline. I’d write a detailed summary of every scene. I’d make sure I hit every note that a well-pace story requires (by the way, if you’re not sure what these are, check out this article HERE.)

I wrote my outline. It took me two weeks, and when I was done, I looked at it and said, “This isn’t even the story I want to write anymore.” So I modified it. Mixed it up a little. Added scenes, deleted scenes. I still wasn’t happy. In the end, I scrapped it.

I would like to be one of those writers who outlines exhaustively—the controlled, methodical process appeals to me. But I’m not. And plenty of excellent writers aren’t. However, I think everyone would benefit from an understanding of the outlining process, and especially of those key story points that I mentioned above. Whether you plot in advance or just let your pen (or keyboard) take you places, those points should be in the back of your head somewhere.

While I probably won’t be creating a super-detailed outline for my next story, I don’t think I wasted my time working on outlining this one. I learned a lot about what works for me as a storyteller, and what doesn’t. And I think “For Better and Worse” is my best story yet, after all.