How I Outlined My Novel And Why I Love It

I'm distracting myself with writing for Camp Nanowrimo. I have over 10,000 words. I'm pretty pleased with myself. I couldn't have done it without writing up an outline and using Scrivener. 

Here is the basic outline idea.

http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/secrets-story-structure-complete-series/

http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/how-to-structure-scenes/

Scrivener makes this easy.

http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/my-writing-process-pt-1-of-2-how-i-use-scrivener-to-outline-my-novels/ (part 1)

http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/my-writing-process-pt-2-of-2-how-i-use-scrivener-to-write-my-first-drafts/ (part 2)

Love Weiland and Scrivener!

Basically, I made folders for each part of the story structure, as listed in the first link. Then, inside each folder I made two note cards, one for Scene and one for Sequel where I listed the components of each. My Scene card says Goal, Conflict, Disaster and my Sequel card says Reaction, Dilemma, Decision. I typed up the basic notes for each scene and sequel here. Then it's a matter of typing them out. That's the fun part.

I've never used an outline formula like this, never thought about structuring my scenes. I've just written. I've written outlines, but never with this much depth and never before knowing exactly how the story should end. I don't think I will ever write a story again without one. It's much better than having an idea for a few scenes and cobbling them together and finding out you have half a story 30,000 words in.

Don't get me wrong, I could write a scene and have a better idea and change the outcome. This way it is easy to go into my outline and make those changes the new story line idea has made. It may change the ending. That's still okay. Outlines are not set in stone. They are guidelines, and something I desperately needed to stay on track.

A to Z - "S" is for Scrivener, Smashwords

I love Scrivener! I have Scrivener for Windows, which is inferior to the original version for Mac, however it does the basic functions that writers need it to do.

How is it better than Word?

In Word, to travel from chapter to chapter, you have to build a Table of Contents (ToC) and create links in your document as you go. You need to open many windows to keep track of your research. If you want to search for a section that needs edited, you have to scroll through pages of writing to find it.

Scrivener allows you to create each chapter in its own place. It's easy to click on the chapter you want to see. You can write note cards to yourself about each chapter, save your character notes and research right in the program. You can open two windows side by side, perhaps one research and one your story, and type away. You can view your story in outline mode, manuscript mode, or corkboard mode. You can color-code your chapters by character, scene, or any way you can think of.

The best part is, Scrivener compiles your files for ebooks! It will create a PDF perfect for CreateSpace. Now, it's not perfect for all, but it does compile them into test, doc, or pdf. I noticed that if you don't put your chapter titles in the manuscript, it doesn't grab them, but maybe I didn't use the right format, or maybe it doesn't behave the same way in the Windows version, which is common.

One word of caution, Scrivener is not easy to learn at first. Watch some videos on how to use it. It also costs money to have. If you are a serious writer, it is well worth it. They do offer a free 30 day trial.

If you want to make sure your document is compiled for many formats, go to Smashwords and follow their guide. They will walk you through how to ensure your work looks good on all types of ereaders. If you use the compile feature in Scrivener, I'd also go check your manuscript against the Smashwords Style Guide.

I'm still learning this tool, but I have enjoyed it so far. It almost makes me want to buy a Mac just to download the fully awesome version!


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Work In Progress: Tentatively titled "The Savior of Mousekind"

More snow today. Best part is, it's Saturday and we have nothing to do and nowhere to go. You know what that means? WRITING DAY!

I've already put in almost a thousand words on my work in progress. I bought Scrivener for Windows. It is inferior to the original Scrivener for Mac, but it is better than Word in that I can go back easily to chapters and find things; characters, plot holes, places.

I took a little break from creating new scenes and renamed some chapters. I didn't have to go in and make a table of contents and sync everything up like I do in Word. Scrivener does that for me. It outlines everything as I go and gives me little note cards to make notes on about the chapters if I want to. It gives me a place to store my research, character sketches, and anything novel-related that I have in electronic form. I even moved entire sections around with ease. I moved an entire a chapter, adding it to another to make the flow better.

I'm really happy with it. I even learned how to take a document in Word I had already been working on and import it into Scrivener with chapter breaks already done. All I have to do is put pound signs in my .doc. Beautiful.

I guess I should share a bit with you readers, huh?

:)

Here is a little bit where Councilmousewoman Melma Bristle coldly tells Flora, nearly a new grandmother, that she must take her youngest daughter and flee in order to protect her yet unborn grandbaby who is prophesied to be 'the savior'.

“The savior of the race must be protected.” She stared coldly into the eyes of the still-smiling mother. “No matter what the cost.”

Flora’s smile faded. “I..I think I understand.”

“As the time draws near, the birthmother should be taken to the Council. We will protect her.”

“I and Maisey will come, too. Camber needs her mother at a time like this, and I can’t leave my youngest.”

“No. You will take Maisey and hide, far away. The enemies could use you or her to get to your daughter. Think what you would do to save your child’s life. That is what your daughter would do to save her babe’s. If she has to choose between you or her offspring.. well.”

“You think they will torture us, to get to Camber and the Savior? You think we should flee?”

“The sooner the better.” Melma stood and calmly walked to the door on her hind paws, nose not quite so high. Flora got her coat and helped her into it. She curtsied her out of her home.

As the door closed, a scream was heard from the nursery.

Do you think the councilmousewoman has a bigger plan?
Why did Maisey scream?
Will Flora leave or stay? Will she believe the warning?

The parts I am working on now are far into the story. Many things have happened in the story and giving you a piece in the middle would confuse you.

This is only a first draft. I still have to finish it, then go back with a little more research and polish up the settings. I also want to add more layers. The idea of a bigger plan, or things that can be read between the lines to add depth, or even more subplots I can tie together, are all things I want to do with the second draft.

Before I get ahead of myself, I think I should return to the action in the middle of this novel.