A novel start to finish: Outlining

When I started writing, I was a total pantser. Often I would sit down in class or at home without a clue of what was going to happen next. It was exciting and daunting to see where the characters and my imagination would take me.

Whenever I was bored and couldn't write, I would mull over what could happen next. It was great for exploring different possible actions and reaction. However, I often would forget what I settled on for the right course or found it lacking once I sat down to write.

Then I began to learn about story structure, plot arc and character development. Instead of a story being an adventure characters took me on, it was an adventure I took my characters on with a goal of how I wanted them to change.

A couple of years ago, I took a novel writing course with novelist Cynthia Thayer. At the first class, she read us a couple of paragraphs and asked us why it wasn't a story. After we discussed the lack of conflict, she guided us to the fact that the main character did not change. It is the evolution of character that is at the heart of most stories. Who isn't touched by the events they've lived for better or worse?

Then I began outlining scenes ahead of time so that I could make the most of the limited time I had. When it came time for revisions or submission, I found myself having to write the outline or a details summary.

I was in the middle of revising Spar when the idea of Wolf Creek first took hold. Not being able to start writing right away motivated me to outline the story so that I could attempt a first draft during NaNoWriMo. From then on, I was hooked on writing at least a bare bones outline.

The benefit of an outline is that it allows me to see the balance of story arcs and character progression. My outlines are still rudimentary and consist of scenes with characters or plot events I want to take place. It may very well change upon re-writes. But at least I have a start and won't get stuck wondering where my characters need to go next.