Get Set....Outline

Ok, so you might not have to know EVERYTHING about your NaNoWriMo project. And the use of a 50 point summary outline with raising actions, character profiles, and hours worth of research isn't needed. However, it might be a good idea to have SOMETHING in mind before you start your frantic writing. NaNoWriMo allows writers to have outlines, summaries, character profiles-- ready before the month begins... these items however, cannot be counted in the total word count. NaNoWriMo also suggest to start with new characters and a new story because if you already put time and energy into a story you're not willing to just willy-nilly write on for just the word count *because you're too invested* and if you're trying to write a complete thing in a month your critic needs to be turned off. Again for more 'rules' on NaNoWriMo visit their website. So here some ideas for different stages of 'outlining.'

I have nothing yet...
If you don't have any idea what you want to write about, invest some time searching writing exercises in books and online.
here's a few that I find helpful:

• Write for 10 minutes on I want to write....
• Do a 10 minute exercise that starts with "Where were you last night?"
• Everything changed when...
• Pull out a poem or a paragraph from an author that you enjoy. Read it. now write a time writing on either a phase or the theme or anything that triggers a thoughts and just go with it.

I got an idea...

So you have a snippet. It might be a scene (normally what I start with), character, a setting, or some vague thought, item, or setting. Good let's build on it.

• create 1 sentence that your story is about. take sometime and think about it until you can narrow it down. Example: Puppet attempts to become a real boy. Guy loses girl and goes all out to get her back. Write it down on the top of each page and make sure that the story follows this one sentence.
• Brainstorm-- write out a list or do a web chart to organized your thoughts. This is really helpful for vague ideas or subjects. example: Say you want to write about masks. get a fresh piece of paper and write it in the middle of the paper. draw line and write something about the masks you want to write about like 'history of masks' and then jot down all the details that you already know about the masks you want to write about (when they were made, who made them, what culture are they from.). Another line from the middle and write another broad thing about the masks like 'appearance' and continue doing the web until you have all your know details. Hopefully by writing down everything you already know about this idea you can conjure up elements of the story behind it.
• Do you have a character in mind? Write down everything you know about this person, fill out a character profile (a form that you create or find one of the Internet that tells you the basics about your character's appearance, family status, dreams, goals, background everything you can think of), or do a character chart.

In a character chart is a two column three row grid. at the top write down you main character. on the left column write down these questions one in each box: What does the character want? Why does he want this? (or what's his motivation?) and What's stopping him from getting what he wants? If you can answer all three of these questions you have your complete story. In your revision process, if a scene doesn't deal with any of these three questions... you don't need it (granted for the three question it's more of a does this get your character closer or further from their goal that you want to keep in mind for the scene).

I Know My Story

OK so you know what's your doing. You have your characters and main plot points in mind. So what should you do?

• If your character is doing something you don't know much about (say he's a doctor) you might want to research and stash articles, jargon, and other things about his field or anything else you need to research.
• Write out the whole outline. Either do a report outline or get different colored index cards and color code your characters, scenes, themes, settings, or any other story element you want. I actually have a poster broad with Velcro strips running across it. I then put Velcro strips on the back of my cards and use this as a visual story broad to keep all my facts straight. Having these on note cards make it easier if you want to use flashbacks or rearrange the plot order of events.
• skim through like genera's to get your creative juices flowing, bookmark, websites, writing books, or favorite reading books for inspiration. etc.

Share with us: What's your favorite writing prompt? How do you 'outline' your writing?