Harlow
asked
Penelope Douglas:
How do you develop a storyline? And how to you set about writing each scene or chapter and deciding when its good enough/finished?
Penelope Douglas
Hi Harlow!
I make outlines. I create a page numbering usually 1-30 to begin with. I plan how I want to start the story, the middle climax, and the playout of the ending, and I jot down 3-4 word notes of what happens in each section of the book. All of the ideas a very general and vague. Then I get ideas for scenes in my head and kind of plan the story and the rest of the chapters around those.
As far as it being good enough or finished, I think you just have to feel it out. NOTHING that is planned in an outline is definite. Expect that the outlines will change, because as authors write, the characters take on a life of their own and you get different ideas of what you want to happen. Falling Away's outline was a guideline, and it changed several times during writing.
Thank you!
I make outlines. I create a page numbering usually 1-30 to begin with. I plan how I want to start the story, the middle climax, and the playout of the ending, and I jot down 3-4 word notes of what happens in each section of the book. All of the ideas a very general and vague. Then I get ideas for scenes in my head and kind of plan the story and the rest of the chapters around those.
As far as it being good enough or finished, I think you just have to feel it out. NOTHING that is planned in an outline is definite. Expect that the outlines will change, because as authors write, the characters take on a life of their own and you get different ideas of what you want to happen. Falling Away's outline was a guideline, and it changed several times during writing.
Thank you!
More Answered Questions
Ira Rozzini
asked
Penelope Douglas:
How can you make the story look so "alive"? I love the way we can see, hear and feel the same things as the characters. Once I tried to put into words a story that was running through my mind, but no matter how many times I tried, the whole thing felt flat, emotionless. Thank you
BookWorm 221
asked
Penelope Douglas:
Hi! I just wanted to let you know how much I loved Falling Away, it has become my favorite book of the series, the story was so complex and mature. These character's stories demanded my attention in the best way possible. I couldn't stop reading and it made my day at home with the flu so much more enjoyable, so thank you so much! Is there going to be a time gap between Falling Away and Aflame?
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