Been working on a novel lately. It was supposed to have been a short story but I quickly realized there was way too much story to cram into a short form. I have a detailed outline, which I'm modifying and adding a few scenes as I work through it. My challenge? I can't hold the whole story in my head all at once. I could do that with shorter works. I guess that's why I didn't need much of a written outline before. With this project, I have to consult the outline frequently so I can remember to make connections with previous chapters and upcoming chapters. Has anybody else experienced this when moving from short forms to long forms?
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Until next month, keep writing.
I often consult my outline before I continue to write. It helps refresh my mind for what's gone before and what is coming up.
ReplyDeleteI've always outlined because yes, I would forget.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip on BookBreeze.
Oh, yes. I'm currently in the middle of writing a trilogy - in fact, I'm currently in the middle of writing two completely unrelated trilogies - so I know this well. I find I use spreadsheets more and more to keep track of what happens in each chapter, which helps a little.
ReplyDeleteFor my first couple of novels (one isn't published), I just set the ship stern to face the horizon and sailed out to sea. Then, I had to search the stars, consult maps, and wish on the GPS star to get back to the shore with massive (seven) revisions. Since then, I've learned to map out at least 5-10 points for my novels before I sail the novel-ship out to sea. I don't like getting more complicated than 30 plot points - I get rebellious if I over-plan. However, it helps if I make a "tomorrow" plan when I finish the day's writing - then I get more detailed - or at least as detailed as I can fit on a sticky note or a journal page.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes with your noveling!!!
Good luck with the novel! I've never been good at the shorter stories, so I don't have any advice for you. A good outline does help though. I'm a lister more than a spreadsheeter. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing bookbreeze. I'll check it out.
I'm a pantser all the way. I never outline and hold it all in my thick head, which sometimes doesn't work. Tyrean, it sounds like you have it together. Good Luck.
ReplyDeleteOops, I messed up. I thought I was writing on Tyrean's blog, sorry Jeff. Just change Tyrean's name for your own. The message remains the same.
ReplyDeleteWhen I wrote my five book series, not only did I have outlines and character sheets for each, I had a large timeline since the five books overlapped as they moved forward in time. There's a lot to keep up with.
ReplyDeleteI don't outline, but when I get ideas for scenes I do write them down. It's usually while I'm in bed too. That seems to be the magical time for me.
ReplyDelete~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
I don't outline often, but I do reference my other works frequently. I checked out BookBreeze. Looks cool!
ReplyDeleteI've written only novels for the past 4 years, so I'm used to outlining -- and even being confused by my own outlines! Yes, short stories are much easier. I'm planning on writing only novellas from now on. Hopefully that will be the best of both worlds. Thanks for the link!
ReplyDeleteI'm a pantser. If I attempt an outline, my story always goes another direction. So I let it have its way with me! :) Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteHi Jeff. Like your blog:) Sounds like your muse is singing if you've went from a short to a novel.
ReplyDeleteI'm becoming more of an outliner in my old age. Maybe my brain isn't what it used to be? I can't imagine pantsing a 100K novel anymore.
ReplyDelete