Hello everyone,
There are two major stories in my mind that I've been trying to write, and recently I decided to put those stories together. My problem however is that I can't seem to wrap my mind around the idea of creating an outline(or plotting in general), I know if I don't I wind up with pages, and pages of characters rambling in an unknown universe. I'm able to create my characters, and scenes but I pull up a blank when I think about: "okay well what's the overall point ?" How do you guys stick to the overarching plot/ know what it is and go about planning it ?
Thanks!
I have five novels already self-published on the KDP platform, the first, 'Deadliest Deal' went live in October 2011. Since then I've averaged one a year, my sixth is almost complete, just the editing stage to go. I also have a bank of several hundred documented storyline ideas plucked from live events. Before I begin the process of writing any novel I prepare an outline, which I know will change as the novel builds into a living thing; it really does evolve as I write it, the outline is just that. There will always come moments in the process when evolution hits a stonewall or I realise I've introduced a conflict, a 'plot error'. To overcome it I use a personalised method of mind mapping, which I do on paper, not on screen; I find it essential to be able to view the mapping on my desk. The mapping takes the form of a series of 'what if?' questions, then followed by a precis of the answer to the question that follows each 'what if?' That method hasn't failed me yet, in fact I claim it has substantially improved the conspiratorial nature of my novels. Let me finish by saying this method enabled me to effectively turn my first three novels into an exciting trilogy, and finally, I retain all the mind mapping paperwork in separate folders for future reference. In case you wonder why my method is so 20th century, I'm 67 years of age and I finished one fabulous career before I began my latest one.
Hello Amanda
I think the reason so many writers “ramble” is that they strike upon a great idea for a book (as far as the inciting incident) and start writing it on the premise that they’ll figure the rest out later. When this initial burst of creativity wanes, self-doubt sets in and they eventually rewrite or discard the novel altogether. It is of course possible to salvage the work at this point, but the amount of work required can overwhelm most writers and make starting over seem the smartest option. In this regard, and to my writing group’s amusement, I have been a serial offender.
I think most writers fall in-between the plotter/pantser spectrum (ie. Having a plot in mind but leaving wiggle room for new ideas, sub plots, etc.). It seems you have already recognised that you ramble without an overall plot in place so the next thing to do is figure out the kind of plot structure that will best serve your interests. This might be anything from simply knowing what the ending of the story is (having something tangible to work towards) to plotting out every single scene in a program like Excel.
I have found the Snowflake Method by Randy Ingermanson to be an excellent guide. I have developed three novel ideas using this method over the past few years (the first time by myself, and the second and third time in a two-month course run by my writing group). The method requires incredible dedication and time, but the one or two months spent on it can potentially save many months of rewriting. The method is not perfect by any means, but it forces you to make decisions about the middle of the story, as scary as that may be. I personally skip the character sketches and go as far as Step 7, because plotting out every single scene gives me a dreadful writing-by-numbers chart and stifles invention.
On a final note, I highly recommend a book called Into the Woods by John Yorke. The section on the five-act structure is enlightening to say the least.