Friday, May 13, 2016

How and Why I Outline


 
Are you a plotter or a pantser? Do you outline? Do you think outlining is important? Do you think every writer should outline? How you do outline? What is the best way to outline? I’ve been asked all of these questions and more.
I have an answer for all of them. Answers I will go over with you.
However, besides the rudimentary questions, there are more craft questions that people ask. More critical questions. Questions like, why can’t you write without an outline? Is having an outline crippling? Does having an outline mean your writing lacks creativity? Could you write the story the same way if someone took away your outline?
For these questions I still have answers.
I began my writing venture as a pantser. I had never outlined anything in high school or any other time, not if I didn’t have to. I didn’t see the point in outlining if I knew where I was going with whatever I was writing, whether that be a story or a paper. So I pansted. That is, until I tried to outline and fell in love with the process. Or, many of them.
Yes, I outline. I’ll get into that more later.
Yes, I think outlining is important. More on that later.
No, I do not believe every writer should outline. George R. R. Martin doesn’t outline and his books are amazing. That man does not need an outline. Though I’m not sure how he keeps everything straight. More power to him.
I have tried several methods to outlining. I love to watch videos of other authors. I love to learn how they write, or their inspirations, or how they outline and so forth. I’ve learned many ways of outlining because of these videos. I’ve even tried a lot of their methods. Some of the methods I’ve tried using include using notecards, using post its on a giant marker board, an actual outline and so forth.
The notecard method is to write every scene you want to happen in the book on notecards. One scene per notecard. Then you can mark up the notecard with ideas and characters and dialogue and so forth. I really liked trying this method out, however it didn’t stick with me. I gave it a good effort, it just wasn’t the method for me. Then I tried writing scenes or chapters on post its and putting them on a giant marker board. While I didn’t have a giant marker board, I did use poster board. This method did not work for me, however, it is the idea that stemmed my current method of outlining, which I will get into. I’ve also tried the normal outline. As good as a normal outline it, it’s just not for me. I’m not that organized. I would have to make too many changes to it at a time and it would turn into a mess.
My current method of outlining, which I am in love with, uses post its, a binder, clear plastic paper protectors, printer paper, and a pen. I use one sheet of printer paper for each chapter. On the piece of paper I write the chapter, the narrator, and the approximate date the chapter takes place. The date is not exactly necessary, unless it is. One of my books is about a pregnancy, therefore I needed to know the date, or at least how many weeks into the pregnancy the character was in. Then, I use three different colored post it notes to make the outline. One color is for the overall plot of the chapter, one color for any specific scenes I want in the chapter, and one color for any specific dialogue I want in the chapter. Then I place the post it on the sheet of printer paper and slip the paper into the paper protector. That way, depending on what chapter I am writing, I can flip the pages in the binder to the sheet I need. It may sound like a lot of work and a little complicated. However, I love it, I find it super simple, and very easy to follow. It helps me to know where I am in the story.
I do not believe there is a best way to outline. I believe there is a best way to outline for every different writer. But I do not believe there is one best way for every writer.
Now, on to the more difficult questions.
Can you write without an outline? Or, why can’t you write with an outline? Now, I wrote my entire first novel without an outline. I wrote the first draft of my second novel without an outline. So yes, I can write without an outline. I just wrote a novella without an outline. However, now that I have been writing with an outline for so long, I feel like I can’t write as well or as quickly without an outline. The novella I wrote without an outline, took me forever. Like, I seriously didn’t think I was ever going to finish the darn thing. Here is how I feel when I write without an outline; I know where I am going, just not how I’m going to get there. I love having an outline. It helps me write more quickly, more fluidly, more efficiently. I’m not sitting in front of my computer for a long period of time trying to figure out what I’m going to write before I get any actual writing done. No, with my outline, I can open my computer and get write down to writing. So, yes, I can write without an outline, but I prefer not to.
Is having an outline crippling? NO. If you ask me, it’s freeing. For all the reasons I just listed. I already know what I want to write. I have an overview of where the story is going, I just need to fill in the gaps. My outline is my best friend.
Is having an outline a lack of creativity? There are some writers who believe that if you are a writer and you use an outline it means you are stifling your creativity and not opening your mind when you write. They are perfectly fine to believe that. Everyone can believe what they want. And they can write how they want. However, I do not personally believe that having an outline stifles creativity. I mean, seriously, when you outline you are creating the story as you write your outline. It is just larger bits of the story. Broader strokes of the story. I happen to believe that an outline is creativity. You still have to fill in the blanks as you write, which is being creative. So, no, I do not believe that.
Could I write my book without my outline? Short answer, yes. Long answer, yes. I wrote the outline, I remember everything I wrote on the outline. I could write the book without my outline, like I previously stated. I just find it is a smoother writing process when I can flip through different pages of my outline and use it as a reference. I don’t live by my outline. That’s why I use post it notes. They can be removed and repositioned. And trust me, I’ve done that a lot. And when I write, I don’t stare at my outline the whole time. I find where I am in the story, then get to writing. It is merely a reference, a guide, not a bible.
Now, yes, I love having my outline. I wouldn’t go back to pantsing unless I was forced to somehow. However, I am not telling you that you need to have an outline. I am not telling you that outlines are the only way to write. I just believe for me personally, I need an outline to write. I honestly don’t understand why some writers get so up in arms about having or not having an outline. If it helps you use one, if it doesn’t, then don’t. It is as simple as that. There are authors who will tell you you need one or writers who will tell you not to use one. Don’t listen to them. Listen to what you as a writer feels then do what you need to do.

Saturday, May 7, 2016

The Importance of First Lines


 
How important are first lines in books anyway? Some say they are the most important because they are what pulls the reader into the story. Some say the first line is indicative to the writing of the rest of the book and therefore very important. And then some say you cannot judge a whole book on one sentence. So let us look at the true importance of a first line. Then I will share with you some of my most favorite first lines.
There are four main uses of a first line or ways a first line is used.
One use or way a first line is used is narrative. An author may use narrative to open the book. This is also a way to introduce the narrative. A line of narrative is a good way to introduce a character; their attitude, the way they feel about the certain situation, ect. I feel like narrative is a good way to get to know a character. Narrative gives you quick insight into the character. Narrative may not even be used to introduce a character, it may be used to introduce the scenario that the character is going through. Narrative may also be used as foreshadowing as to what will happen in the first page, first chapter, or sometimes the entire book. It may also be used as a way to set the tone of the story and that can be very important. Now, there are different ways in which you can use narrative. Really, there are only two, but they are still different and important in their own right. And those two different ways are using a statement or using a question. Most authors use a statement. Some daring authors use questions. Using a question to open your book can be a big surprise to your read. It is a way to pull them into the story and make them an active reader, make them engage in the story, versus a passive reader. Sometimes the question is not always aimed at the reader. Sometimes it is more of a philosophical question. Sometimes a question is actually aimed at or used to introduce your character and their motives. More often than not, an author will use narrative as the way they open their book.
A second way to open a book is the opposite of narrative and that is dialogue. Using dialogue to introduce your entire book can be tricky. I believe that if you are going to use dialogue you have to use it very carefully and make sure it is necessary. Using dialogue instead of narrative may throw the reader off the book completely. But at the same time, it may intrigue the reader and give them something they are not used to or expecting. If you are to use dialogue, make sure it is necessary and will still pull the reader into the story. Dialogue is a good way to set the tone  as well. Really, when you are writing a first line you want to set the tone of the story. Often the tone of a story can and does change. However, the first line should set the tone in which you want to work with immediately. Along with narrative, dialogue is a good way to introduce the character. While it may not lead you to learn about their feelings, attitude, or ambitions, it can teach you other things about the character, whether or not they are sarcastic or dry, or witty and so forth. While using dialogue as the first line can be tricky, it can also be a big payoff, so never rule it out.
The last two uses of a first line, and the most important ones, are for shock value and to pull you into the story. Now, you may say that the two go hand in hand, but not necessarily. You may say you need one for the other, but not necessarily. Using a first line for shock value may not always lead to pulling the reader into the story. They may be so shocked and revolted that they may not want to finish the story. Now, that being said, shock value can be very important. You want the reader to be caught off guard. If they are caught off guard they will more than likely want to continue reading to see if the author can keep up with their first line. This can also be tricky. Using the first line as shock value can make the reader want to continue but if the author can’t keep that shock value going or veers off into a different direction, or the story dulls right after the shocking first line, it could throw the reader off the story entirely and you do not want this.
The most important thing you want your first line to do is to pull the reader into the story. This is generally called a hook. You want your first line to grab ahold of the reader and take them into a whole other world. You want your first line to take hold of the reader and not let go until the story is completed. Of course, all authors want this, but it does not always happen. So make sure your first line is a good one, whether that is using narrative or dialogue, whether it is shocking or not so much. Make sure it is necessary to the story and stays true to the rest of the story. First lines are powerful, make them count.
Now, having said all that, I suck at writing first lines. It sometimes takes me forever to come up with a good line. And once I’ve done that, and I think it is a great first line, I’ll go back once I’ve completed the whole story and think my first line is shit, or too cliche, or dumb, or that it won’t pull the reader into the story. I have a love, hate relationship with first lines. I wish I could write better first lines. But, since I suck at them, I will share with you my favorite first lines from authors who don’t suck at them. Starting with probably my very favorite.

In a while in the ground there lived a hobbit. - The Hobbit, by JRR Tolkien

It is the first day of November and so today someone will die. - The Scorpio Races, by Maggie Stiefvater

What if Shakespeare had it wrong? - Just One Day, by Gayle Foremann

You stop fearing the Devil when you’re holding his hand. - Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, by April Genevieve Tucholke

The thing is, all memory is fiction. - Heading Out to Wonderful, by Robert Goolrick

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. - A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens

Mr. and Mrs. Dursley of number four Privet Drive were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by JK Rowling

Each of these first lines provoke something in me that make me want to continue reading that story. As you see, all of them are narrative, I haven’t read many books with very strong dialogue as the first sentence. But as you all see, they are used in different ways. There is a question in there. There are powerful statements meant to shock the reader, but there are also low lying statements that do their own part to pull the reader in.
Remember, first lines are powerful and should be used as such. Use them wisely.