Share Your Outlining Tips!

[Luxuria]

So, I have been bitten by the Outlining Bug lately and thought we should have a thread to share tips on how to do it.

Here are my tips for you:
1. Write out a list of scenes out of order on a page. Just anything you want in the story or think might be good to put in there.
2. Take all the scenes and arrange them in a logical order in another document.
3. Then, begin writing a detailed outline for the plot, which I feel is different from plotting character/lore/world building'. In this outline, write it in order, like you're writing a really long explanation of the story.
4. Split this into scenes once you are happy with the outline.
5. Start writing if you fancy.

 

[Naomasa298]

3. Then, begin writing a detailed outline for the plot, which I feel is different from plotting character/lore/world building'. In this outline, write it in order, like you're writing a really long explanation of the story.

I disagree with this. Now, this is a philosophical stance, but these things are not separate aspects, because they all form part of the story. You can't have a complete story without all of them.

My tip is - start with the beginning and the end. Then work out how you are going to get from A to B.

 

[Luxuria]

I disagree with this. Now, this is a philosophical stance, but these things are not separate aspects, because they all form part of the story. You can't have a complete story without all of them.

My tip is - start with the beginning and the end. Then work out how you are going to get from A to B.

I agree with you on this. I do think it's better to write it all as a collective thing. But sometimes I tend to wander in my outline and forget to introduce lore/worldbuilding, etc.