tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32085591.post2337377557855424387..comments2023-11-07T21:12:19.852-06:00Comments on Wyrdsmiths: Interjecting About Outlines and Semanticstate hallawayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06631759014508937940noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32085591.post-56919631008486665852007-03-29T20:40:00.000-05:002007-03-29T20:40:00.000-05:00It might not matter what you call it, but when I f...It might not matter what you call it, but when I first started writing novels I felt I HAD to outline like that and it pretty much scared the crap out of me.lydamorehousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03193266008038604325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32085591.post-16733806768772465962007-03-29T17:34:00.000-05:002007-03-29T17:34:00.000-05:00I like the "car trip" analogy, though my trip is a...I like the "car trip" analogy, though my trip is a little more detailed. As in, "We're absolutely starting in Maine. We're definitely stopping in St. Louis, Grand Canyon, and Vegas. We're definitely ending on Hollywood Boulevard. If we get there via Canada, whatever. Oh, and if I find during the trip one of my friends is an ax murder? Fantastic!"Kelly Swailshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08712523963592799928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32085591.post-54367680037383624922007-03-29T14:21:00.000-05:002007-03-29T14:21:00.000-05:00I actually tend to agree with you, Sean, in that t...I actually tend to agree with you, Sean, in that the "classic" outline model lends itself better to essays, arguments, etc. It is wonderful for organizing thoughts, building structure, adressing specific talking points, and so on. <BR/><BR/>Is it the best model for creative writing, though? Depends on the writer. Since I tend to lean that way in terms out outlining, it is where I go first, but that doesn't always mean it works the best. Frankly, I am still trying to find the "right" system for me with longer pieces of fiction, much as Kelly had to do with his first few books. I'm just many books behind. :)<BR/><BR/>So while I think in terms of classic outline, in some ways I am still trying to determine if that it what serves me best when it comes to developing and laying out the story itself.Douglas Hulickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04221190213829107139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32085591.post-41399232138740334592007-03-29T12:15:00.000-05:002007-03-29T12:15:00.000-05:00Okay, Doug, so I suppose I don't think anyone... i...Okay, Doug, so I suppose <I>I don't think anyone...</I> is a bit more absolute than necessary, though I'll still submit that you're the odd duck on that one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32085591.post-20540315099775883502007-03-29T10:05:00.000-05:002007-03-29T10:05:00.000-05:00I naturally outline using the Roman Numbers, lette...I naturally outline using the Roman Numbers, letters, etc. system, indents and all (I even turn it on in Word). It's how I tend to organize my thoughts on paper - past the initial brain-storming stage, anyhow. Hell, it's even how I took notes during lecture in college. What, you mean everyone doesn't unconsciously break down and reconstruct the strucutre of the lecture as they hear it? ;p<BR/><BR/>That being said, I know I am something of an abberation, and so I see Lyda's point. And even when I do outline, I find I tend to stray as the writing itself commences. Which is okay. One of the biggest traps with "outlining" or "overviewing" or whatever you want to call it is thinking you MUST follow the plan as originally set down. No, no, no! Writing is a creative process, and it needs freedom to move and mutate. Whether that take the form of a minor variation from The Structured Plan, or is more of a "we need to get to California...head west!" process is up to each writer. <BR/><BR/>Find what works for you - and keep finding and adjusting it as necessary.Douglas Hulickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04221190213829107139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32085591.post-26761351208294955002007-03-29T07:42:00.000-05:002007-03-29T07:42:00.000-05:00I'm going to note that Lyda has a valuable point i...I'm going to note that Lyda has a valuable point in that if the term <I>outlining</I> has the sort of visceral negative implications for you that Lyda implies it has for her, then perhaps "overview", "synopsis", or "travel planner" are better terms. Functionally, though, those things are the same in their purpose and very similar in their structure and appearance.<BR/><BR/>And, for good measure, I don't think anyone is talking about a I.A.i.a.1 style of outline, which is how an essay or an argument is structured, but not particularly a narrative. I tend to use 1, 2, 3..., and they tend to be broken into chapters.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32085591.post-80880054717408508452007-03-28T22:01:00.000-05:002007-03-28T22:01:00.000-05:00Outline. Synopsis. Travel plan. Sketch. What you c...Outline. Synopsis. Travel plan. Sketch. What you call it really doesn't matter except in choosing terminology you're comfortable with. You could even call it Francis if you wanted. It makes no nevermind to me.Kelly McCulloughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06399122960869198042noreply@blogger.com