Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”
Episode at a glance:
[02:22] The problem with outlines.
Hear where writers go wrong with outlining, and.why even the most detailed outline doesn’t guarantee a finished story, let alone a compelling one.
[04:11] Discovery Drafts
Let go of this idea that your first draft is where you write a story from start to finish. That your first draft needs to all fall into place as you go.
Learn the purpose of your first draft,and why I recommend relinquishing expectations of structure, genre, or plot as you write your first draft.
[07:09] Learn the theory of writing islands. With this approach, you’re writing moments or scenes that have an emotional charge for you. This means writing scene fragments or even having huge gaps in your plot. You can write scenes to connect those islands later. For now, follow your instincts.
[09:34] What if you get stuck during this discovery phase? Learn my tried and true technique of getting unstuck. And this works at any stage of the writing process.
[17:10] Now it’s time to outline what you generated in your first draft. This isn’t your final outline. You’re just getting your arms around what you wrote in your discovery draft. I’ll tell you what to look for so you can revise this outline to be more fluid, structured, and cohesive.
[20:21] Now it’s time to revise your initial outline. You’ll take out all the repetitive, mundane, extraneous actions, and you’re going to create an outline that’s more cohesive. An outline with significant turning points, rising stakes, consequences, cause and effect.
So you’re looking for the shape, and you’re adjusting that shape into a tighter, more compelling outline.
Also listen to:
Episode 69: How to Create Plot Continuity With Character Thought
Rate, Review, and Follow on Apple Podcasts.
“I love Writer Unleashed!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show. This helps me support more writers — just like you —to bring the story burning in their imagination onto the page. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. It’s chock full of writing tips and inspiration every Tuesday. Follow now!