Pre-Outlines
Three years ago, I began using outlines to develop plots for my books. They improved the story and saved countless hours. However, I recently ran into a problem. One of my plots contained a logic issue. This plot uncovered a spy ring and then closed it down.
The issue was that an investigator made a discovery, but the logic behind the investigation was nonexistent. To solve my problem, I reverted to what I now call a “pre-outline.” I used Visio to visualize and organize the key plot concepts. Of course, a person could also use a whiteboard or paper, but I am a computer geek. Or, I am saving the world one sheet of paper at a time! Did you buy that argument? No? Let’s stay with the computer geek concept.
I start by breaking down the fundamental plot elements into single sentences. I then put each one into a block, which is linearly set up to follow the story. This technique allows me to see the big (plot) picture unfolding. As a result, I see errors and can make massive plot changes. Once the story makes sense, I change (or create) the outline to follow the pre-outline.
I solved another problem using a pre-outline. My plot was too short. So, I added more blocks and then updated the outline. I could make these major changes with confidence because I saw clearly saw all the story elements.
What does a pre-outline look like? Here is a super-basic one for the movie Star Wars:
Space battle, princess captured, robots escape with space station plans.
Robots captured, find the main character.
The main character, mentor, and pilot escape with robots.
The main character convinces the pilot to rescue the princess from the space station.
Rescue succeeds, mentor dies,
Use robot-provided plans to develop a minimal ship attach plan.
As you can see, there are no details. However, the author (or screenwriter) can focus on the fundamental elements without all that fluff. Let’s introduce a problem:
Space battle, princess captured, robots escape.
Robots captured, find the main character.
The main character, mentor, and pilot escape with robots.
The main character convinces the pilot to rescue the princess from the space station.
Rescue succeeds, mentor dies.
Attack space station with a few ships.
Hmm. How can a few ships attack an enormous space station? Let’s think of a solution. Ah. We could use the space station plans to determine an attack. Now things make sense, and we can write a full outline.
Pre-outlines have proven so helpful that I began three books with them. Of course, my pre-outlines are more detailed than my Star Wars example. In addition, I add notes (plot hints.) These keep me focused on the plot but explain transitions.
A person could also “connect the dots” and draw lines between the plot elements rather than a linear style. While this might be more visual, I do not work this way. My mind and plots need to be linear. Therefore, visualizing my plots left, right, or back makes little sense to me.
Is there a downside to this method? I suppose plots developed from pre-outlines would be more linear and logical. A leads to B, leads… Perhaps such plots are less exciting and monotonous. However, a talented author should be able to use this technique as a tool. Not all plots have to be complex. The pre-outline goal is to eliminate fundamental outline errors. The secondary goal is to rapidly visualize the whole story.
Recently, I discussed this topic with another author, and they do not use pre-outlines or outlines. The author prefers to think up a story and write. I started without outlines, which used to seem logical. Writing should be an organic process, and outlines follow a scientific/logical approach. Yet, my early plots had issues that an outline or pre-outline would have identified.
Do I blog with pre-outlines? Sort of. I have a list of topics and notes for future blogs. They are one or two sentences. As I blog, I sometimes update these future ideas, which refine the subject. Then, when I feel confident about a topic, I write up a blog. As a result, I avoided poor topics and wrote more robust blogs. This technique has saved my four blog readers from the random junk floating in my mind.
You’re the best -Bill
November 17, 2021
The issue was that an investigator made a discovery, but the logic behind the investigation was nonexistent. To solve my problem, I reverted to what I now call a “pre-outline.” I used Visio to visualize and organize the key plot concepts. Of course, a person could also use a whiteboard or paper, but I am a computer geek. Or, I am saving the world one sheet of paper at a time! Did you buy that argument? No? Let’s stay with the computer geek concept.
I start by breaking down the fundamental plot elements into single sentences. I then put each one into a block, which is linearly set up to follow the story. This technique allows me to see the big (plot) picture unfolding. As a result, I see errors and can make massive plot changes. Once the story makes sense, I change (or create) the outline to follow the pre-outline.
I solved another problem using a pre-outline. My plot was too short. So, I added more blocks and then updated the outline. I could make these major changes with confidence because I saw clearly saw all the story elements.
What does a pre-outline look like? Here is a super-basic one for the movie Star Wars:
Space battle, princess captured, robots escape with space station plans.
Robots captured, find the main character.
The main character, mentor, and pilot escape with robots.
The main character convinces the pilot to rescue the princess from the space station.
Rescue succeeds, mentor dies,
Use robot-provided plans to develop a minimal ship attach plan.
As you can see, there are no details. However, the author (or screenwriter) can focus on the fundamental elements without all that fluff. Let’s introduce a problem:
Space battle, princess captured, robots escape.
Robots captured, find the main character.
The main character, mentor, and pilot escape with robots.
The main character convinces the pilot to rescue the princess from the space station.
Rescue succeeds, mentor dies.
Attack space station with a few ships.
Hmm. How can a few ships attack an enormous space station? Let’s think of a solution. Ah. We could use the space station plans to determine an attack. Now things make sense, and we can write a full outline.
Pre-outlines have proven so helpful that I began three books with them. Of course, my pre-outlines are more detailed than my Star Wars example. In addition, I add notes (plot hints.) These keep me focused on the plot but explain transitions.
A person could also “connect the dots” and draw lines between the plot elements rather than a linear style. While this might be more visual, I do not work this way. My mind and plots need to be linear. Therefore, visualizing my plots left, right, or back makes little sense to me.
Is there a downside to this method? I suppose plots developed from pre-outlines would be more linear and logical. A leads to B, leads… Perhaps such plots are less exciting and monotonous. However, a talented author should be able to use this technique as a tool. Not all plots have to be complex. The pre-outline goal is to eliminate fundamental outline errors. The secondary goal is to rapidly visualize the whole story.
Recently, I discussed this topic with another author, and they do not use pre-outlines or outlines. The author prefers to think up a story and write. I started without outlines, which used to seem logical. Writing should be an organic process, and outlines follow a scientific/logical approach. Yet, my early plots had issues that an outline or pre-outline would have identified.
Do I blog with pre-outlines? Sort of. I have a list of topics and notes for future blogs. They are one or two sentences. As I blog, I sometimes update these future ideas, which refine the subject. Then, when I feel confident about a topic, I write up a blog. As a result, I avoided poor topics and wrote more robust blogs. This technique has saved my four blog readers from the random junk floating in my mind.
You’re the best -Bill
November 17, 2021
