How to stay excited about a work after outlining?

[Luxuria]

The title says it all. I feel like I should outline more, but the problem I run into is that after I write a detailed outline, all the excitement for the story leaves me. To my brain, it's like, "I wrote this, I can move on to the next idea." Does anyone else experience this? Because an outline can save me a lot of pain when it comes to the overall plot, etc. But when I am done writing one, I just can't get myself to actually write it. It suddenly feels boring and a solved problem. (My brain loves problems to solve!) So, the outline just sits there and sits there. I have a Dark Souls Fanfic I outlined and then, could never get myself to write it after I had written out the plot in detail. Even though, I think some of it is AMAZING (by fanfic standards).

Does anyone have any solutions or ideas to help me with this? Because I WANT to outline, because it essentially saves me the first draft and edit. Also, I like being able to detail the plot and not feel like if I change 1 thing, the whole book collapses like a jenga tower.

How do I stay motivated and excited about an outline? How do I make my brain realize it is worthwhile to write something that is plotted out?

 

[Madman Starryteller]

Perhaps you should do more vague outlines, not as detailed?

When I do my outlining for some of my projects, I just write a few sentences of the major things I want to happen. And just a sentence for each. That way I can swerve off-road a bit if I feel the pull.

For other projects, I just keep the outline in my head, what I want to happen. Then I just outline one chapter ahead. So if I'm writing chapter three, I have outlined to chapter four.

Just some thoughts.

 

[Naomasa298]

Reframe it. Outlining is the pre-amble to the writing process. It's the ads before the program starts. You have no "skip" button, you have to sit through it before you can watch the video.

For me, the fun bit is being able to actually get the words on paper. Until them, it's just an ephemeral idea, that no one can enjoy.

And try this - if you're not feeling it, write the first paragraph. Just that. That may help to motivate you to go further, once you read your own work.

 

[Luxuria]

Perhaps you should do more vague outlines, not as detailed?

Yeah, maybe this will help. But sometimes, I want to nail down the lore and how powers work. But I can try this. Because it might be useful.

When I do my outlining for some of my projects, I just write a few sentences of the major things I want to happen. And just a sentence for each. That way I can swerve off-road a bit if I feel the pull.

Okay, cool. This is kinda what I did for my Dark Cavern's book. However, I focused more on Character Arcs in the outline, than plot. I also made sure to say, "we need to learn about how magic wands work in chapter 3." But yes, for me, being able to swerve is very important.

For other projects, I just keep the outline in my head, what I want to happen. Then I just outline one chapter ahead. So if I'm writing chapter three, I have outlined to chapter four.

I usually do this too, but I think having it on paper is important, because I outlined a bunch of stuff in my head for Space Magic, but forgot to write it down. Now, I can't remember the lore all too well. Haha.

Here is an example of how I did outline for Dark Caverns, which I also used a character arc sheet from Novel Factory to get started, I think?

December 23rd - MC hits rock bottom when he realizes there is how his life is (Main story point and story date, because time is important to the plot/lore)

The Status Quo - The usual normal: MC goes about his normal life, poor and sad. It’s almost Christmas and that makes life suck even more. His family has bills and it’s also cold outside and so is the house. Because no heating- because propane costs a lot.

Whereas, my Dark Souls story outline reads like this (forgive my spelling errors, new names are always hard for me to remember):

Dragonslayer Orenstein is envious of Artorias and wishes he was regarded the same. However, he lives in the man’s shadow. Being a knight of Gwyn is not enough for him and Orenstein decides that he must be paired with Artorias as Ciaran and Gough have become a team. However, as the plague of the Undead sweeps through Lordran, none are spared. So, Gwynivere sends Artorias to investigate the cause and stop the spread.

As you can see, and I think I agree with your suggestions, the Dark Souls one is far more detailed. Maybe too much so. But a covered the whole story in 1K words, which felt great.

 

[Luxuria]

Reframe it. Outlining is the pre-amble to the writing process. It's the ads before the program starts. You have no "skip" button, you have to sit through it before you can watch the video.

Okay, I will try. I kind of get what you are saying.

For me, the fun bit is being able to actually get the words on paper. Until them, it's just an ephemeral idea, that no one can enjoy.

Oh, interesting. I find the fun in writing, because of the twists and turns I discover while writing. That's why I think I struggle with outlining, because I feel like all the surprise/fun is removed from the the process. But I want to avoid pantsing, because a lot of my books end up having a fun 1st draft. But then, I go to edit/fix something and one little change changes the whole book, so I must rewrite the whole thing. If you're wondering WHY the whole thing, it's because I think I write in a way that really, really intertwines things. I am sure everyone else does this, but it always feels like other people have more leeway to change minor things. But I have found if I change one thing, then it ALL changes. Because the sequence of events shifts like it's a time-travel story.

And try this - if you're not feeling it, write the first paragraph. Just that. That may help to motivate you to go further, once you read your own work.

Okay, I will try this. It might actually work.

 

[Naomasa298]

f you're wondering WHY the whole thing, it's because I think I write in a way that really, really intertwines things. I am sure everyone else does this, but it always feels like other people have more leeway to change minor things. But I have found if I change one thing, then it ALL changes. Because the sequence of events shifts like it's a time-travel story.

Before you've laid it all down, think of your outline as a map. Once you have, think of it as a cage.

 

[Luxuria]

Before you've laid it all down, think of your outline as a map. Once you have, think of it as a cage.

I understand this mentality. The problem for me, if it's a cage, then it feels boring and lifeless. I understand the map thing, but I am always worried I will be stuck outlining and never get any of it on paper. I assume this is a good feeling to have, though?

 

[Naomasa298]

I understand this mentality. The problem for me, if it's a cage, then it feels boring and lifeless. I understand the map thing, but I am always worried I will be stuck outlining and never get any of it on paper. I assume this is a good feeling to have, though?

YES. The boring and lifeless thing is why actually writing the story is the fun part. If anything you've written or planned isn't working, you have permission to break free of the cage.

 

[Luxuria]

YES. The boring and lifeless thing is why actually writing the story is the fun part. If anything you've written or planned isn't working, you have permission to break free of the cage.

But that's the problem. When I write an outline, I feel I have written the whole story and therefore, should move on. Because it's no longer interesting to my brain and therefore boring.

 

[Naomasa298]

But that's the problem. When I write an outline, I feel I have written the whole story and therefore, should move on. Because it's no longer interesting to my brain and therefore boring.

You need to change your satisfaction threshold. At that point, you haven't "written" the story.

It's a bit like when people post their wonderfully designed world, that they've spent years on, and say "what do you think?", or their outline for a "cool character" and ask the same. My reaction is always "ok, and now what's your story?".

An outline isn't a story. You could have the most amazing outline in the world, and if you wrote "Then Zeus went and killed his dad and became chief god", it's going to fall flat. That's why for me, the fun is getting the words onto the page. It's not how the plot idea makes me feel, but how it makes the reader feel that means something to me. There's an enormous sense of gratification when someone tells you what you wrote really touched them. That's where a feedback loop like the Workshop is useful.

 

[Luxuria]

An outline isn't a story. You could have the most amazing outline in the world, and if you wrote "Then Zeus went and killed his dad and became chief god", it's going to fall flat. That's why for me, the fun is getting the words onto the page. It's not how the plot idea makes me feel, but how it makes the reader feel that means something to me. There's an enormous sense of gratification when someone tells you what you wrote really touched them. That's where a feedback loop like the Workshop is useful.

Okay, you are making sense. Because you are right. I think this can help me realize that the outline is NOT the story. Which might get my butt in gear to write after creating the outline.

 

[JT Woody]

after I write a detailed outline, all the excitement for the story leaves me. To my brain, it's like, "I wrote this, I can move on to the next idea." Does anyone else experience this?

Yep, this is why i dont outline.

The closest thing i get to an outline is a bulletpoint list (a sentence or 2) of a sequence of events. No details

it essentially saves me the first draft and edit. Also, I like being able to detail the plot and not feel like if I change 1 thing, the whole book collapses like a jenga tower

A first draft is still a first draft. It will never be "the end " of the process. Editing and reworking still needs to happen. Maybe not as much, but still enough.
The first draft is putting your ideas and the story on the page and is almost alway imperfect. Change is to be expected from then on.

 

[Banespawn]

When you actually get into the weeds of writing a scene, there are so many details that can arise from the ether, that were never part of your outline and maybe never could have been. No matter how much you plan, you can't plan for everything, so revel in those unexpected details. Some of them might alter your story in awesome ways.

 

[Luxuria]

Yep, this is why i dont outline.

Haha, glad to know it's not just me.

A first draft is still a first draft. It will never be "the end " of the process. Editing and reworking still needs to happen. Maybe not as much, but still enough.
The first draft is putting your ideas and the story on the page and is almost alway imperfect. Change is to be expected from then on.

True. I agree with this. But what I am trying to avoid is the Jenga Problem. Where I write 100K words, then, realize I need to change 1 thing in chapter 3. Then, the whole story shifts and I have to toss out everything after that. Because it no longer works. But I completely understand what you are saying.

 

[Luxuria]

When you actually get into the weeds of writing a scene, there are so many details that can arise from the ether, that were never part of your outline and maybe never could have been. No matter how much you plan, you can't plan for everything, so revel in those unexpected details. Some of them might alter your story in awesome ways.

That's fair and I agree. I think that you are correct. The details emerge as you write and lead you on different paths.

 

[JT Woody]

True. I agree with this. But what I am trying to avoid is the Jenga Problem. Where I write 100K words, then, realize I need to change 1 thing in chapter 3. Then, the whole story shifts and I have to toss out everything after that. Because it no longer works. But I completely understand what you are saying.

But sometimes this cant be helped.
I had to cut a character and it changed everything. And then i got feedback from a Developmental Editor, and it made sense to add a new chapter to the beginning.... which made me have to go back and update the rest of it.
Your first draft will not be the same draft in your 4th, for example. It wont stay the same