Outlining Advice from a Plantser
If you don’t know the term, a “plantser” is a combination of a planner and pantser, names for writers from the NaNoWriMo community (also called gardeners and architects, discovery writers and outliners, etc.). Planners generally flesh out a lot of their story details before starting the actual writing process, while pantsers fly by the seat of their pants and hop in head first.Â
Also, as a disclaimer, I recently was diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, so this outlining method may not work for you. This has been my way of outlining only for the last few years and helps keep me interested/motivated.Â
THE KAYLIE METHOD:
Start with an idea. Any idea. It could be a line of dialogue, or an interesting character, a plot from a movie that you want to try writing yourself, or a song that you really like that makes you think “hmmm, this could be a good story”. Literally anything can be magic, you funky little bagel. (I usually start with characters, because I prefer character-driven stories.)Â
Then start experimenting. Write anything. As much or as little as you want, in any setting, genre, filter, theme, or style you like. Try that character in twelve different settings before deciding you like 1950′s Detroit better than neon-and-chrome underwater. Give them an Australian accent, a Southern American twang, a Brazilian lilt, a Martian slur. Have your character make out with 50 people before deciding that they’re actually asexual, but that they still like kissing. A lot. ****
Now you have a foundation. It’s a weird, beautiful, messy combination of what you do and don’t like, but it’s something useful. And you made it. Good job, you beautiful water buffalo.Â
Write. Like, a lot. Here’s where our paths will likely diverge. In fanfiction, I usually write eight chapters (five in original writing) here of exploratory writing in the proper setting with the right romantic endgame (or lack thereof) in mind, just seeing where the story goes. Maybe the characters reveal that there’s an evil sibling, or a villain I didn’t know about, or some other useful plot information I can use later.Â
Now write your outline. You’ve already finished a good chunk of your story, and now you should have an even better idea of where it’s headed. I like to write down a list of things I’d love to see happen, in no specific order, and then cram them messily into a chapter list. Sometimes I get a good feeling for when an event should happen in the story, so I put those things in first.Â
Edit as necessary. Throughout, I always remind myself that the outline is flexible. Sometimes a plot point gets pushed out two chapters. That’s okay!!!! It happens!!! Writing is art, and sometimes you make artistic choices along the way. Remember too that having soft, sweet scenes will emphasize the dark, biting, cruel scenes even further and vice versa. If I’ve been writing too much fluff, then I throw some angst in to change it up; if things have been too spicy for too long, then I add in some light.Â
I hope this helps, especially with NaNoWriMo around the corner! I’ve been seeing a lot of outlining posts floating around too.Â
Kaylie
**** The experimenting phase may also include creating a Pinterest board, mixing a playlist, drawing settings/characters/scenes, making your characters as Sims, and creating outside of the writing sphere. Don’t be afraid to paint, draw, knit, sing, research, play video games, sculpt, read, and seek inspiration. ****
