Writing With Maps and Outlines

I used to be one of those writers who just had a good idea for a character or a story and then went at it, hoping the story would unfold itself. I swore that this was my method, because if I planned it, it took the passion out of the story.

As I grow in the craft and as a published author, I realize that this was totally wrong.

I have begun mapping out everything.

Sure, the general storyline begins as an idea, but there are several things I do to create a good story.

Character profiles – I make my own, but you can find character profile templates online. This makes it so that you know everything from the color of their eyes, to their favorite food, to their quirks and habits.

 

With a character profile, you can go back when you forget what color the minor character’s eyes are or what their last name is. There are many, many advantages to having character profiles for every character.

 

I map out the world I’m am writing in – If it is a fictional world, write down everything about it. Example, the community of Arcadia Falls in The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter is fictional, I created my own town and everything in it is completely from my own mind. The map will describe the main points of the town.

 

In Keeper vs. Reaper, the city of Summer Hollow is a real town with a fictional name. I grew up in this town and know every inch of it. However, I did a lot of research on the town as it is now and outlined specific things like streets where I want people to live.

 

Outline the events of the book – From the setting, to the plot to the climax to the conclusion. Write it down.

 

I do my outlining chapter by chapter, giving a mini description of what I want to happen. But, some people just do a minor blurb of the entire book, either way will help as long as you have those points I mentioned earlier.

 

Map the series – This is important and I have discovered it the hard way. I never expected The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter to be as loved as it is. It began as a short story that I just wanted to put out for fun, but then it took off like wildfire. I had no idea where the story was going in the long run. So … with Keeper vs. Reaper I outlined the entire nine book series.

 

Knowing where I’m going with the whole series has been a plus on many levels. One very, very important point is character building. I have characters in the first book that will be main characters in future books, so I am developing them starting in the first book.

 

Another reason to do this is that you can put little things in the first books, that are clues to what will happen in the later books and you have it all written down so if you forget about it, you can refer to your outline.

 

If you take the time to outline, it builds your characters and strengthens your story. On top of that, you will be surprised at how fast it all comes out when you already know what is going to happen. I have found that I write much, much faster when I have my outlines to follow.