#/ finding the time to sit and do a bunch of drafts has been difficult

[grcveyacd]

/ i'm going to be a bit slower the next few weeks cause of my friends upcoming wedding. so, replies will be a bit slower on my end. i am willing to do small things on discord though if anyone would like to do a thread over there? my discord is under the read more :)

[writingquestionsanswered]

Outlining has always been a major issue for me. I don't have any idea how to do it properly. It bores me and most of the time I quit halfway. I also don't find any of the outlining methods on the Internet enjoyable. Any tips?

Outlining Isn't Enjoyable

Here are a bunch of things to consider...

1 - "Outlining" Just Means "Planning" - I'm not sure what outlining methods you've seen on the internet, but the truth is, as far as writing goes, outlining really just means "planning." And if you want to plan your story in advance, you can do that via whatever means works for you. Beginning to end written summary, verbal summary in audio notes app, mind map, timeline, scene cards, scene list, chapter summaries, scene summaries, mood boards, academic outline, story structure map, method template, playlist... you could outline your story through interpretive dance if that's what works for you.

2 - Outlining Isn't a Requirement - Like pretty much anything related to process, outlining isn't a requirement. Outlines are mostly done by so-called "planners" who prefer to flesh things out before they start writing. Many writers consider themselves "pantsers" in that they like to "write by the seat of their pants" or "wing it." These writers like to let the story develop organically, as they write. They understand their first draft might be extra messy, but they know it can be cleaned up and refined in the second draft.

3 - Outlining Isn't Really Meant to be "Fun" - If you're a writer who needs to plan your story in advance, and so you need an outline of some sort before you start writing, please know that for the most part, the majority of us aren't always approaching the outlining process with glee in our hearts and ticker tape falling from the sky. I mean, outlining can be fun, but a lot of the time it's just work. It's just something that some of us have to do before we start writing, and it's not particularly grueling or mind numbing work, it's just not the most fun thing we could be doing in that moment.

4 - Is the Problem with Your Story? - If you're a writer who needs to outline your story, but you find yourself bored to ears when you outline--to the extent that you can't even finish your outline--it is worth taking a step back to consider whether the problem isn't with outlining but your story. No matter how excited you might be about elements of your story, if you're boring yourself to tears while planning it or writing it, that may be a sign that something's not working. In other words, if you're bored planning the story, there's a good chance the reader will be bored reading it.

5 - Is the Problem Something Else? - If you're a writer who needs to outline your story, and you're really excited about your story and feel that it all works very well, but you're still getting bored and frustrated with the outlining process, then something else is going on. Things to consider: are you well rested and feeling well when you sit down to outline? Are you nourished and hydrated? Do you feel like you're in a pretty good headspace? Are you in a reasonably comfortable space that's relatively free from distraction? Are there other things competing for your attention? (Social media, texts, friends hanging out in the other room, someplace else you'd rather be, something else you'd rather be doing?) Are there other important tasks you're putting off that need to be done? Is there anything about the story that is difficult for you emotionally right now? Sometimes it's just a matter of trouble-shooting what's going on in your life, your space, and your body/mind before you start working on your outline.

I hope something here clicks with you!

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[23-punnybee]

back at it again with another one that could be either really difficult or really easy!

what does your oc's personal space look like? this could be their bedroom (or favorite room) in a home, could be the tool shed outside they've refurbished into an art studio, their section of a community greenhouse, the upper level of a barn they've turned into a hideaway, a treehouse, etc. a space they've deemed "safe"; somewhere they might go to recharge, relax or find some peace.

does it tend to be clean, a mess, or a bit of organized chaos (looks like a mess, but they know where everything is)? if someone comes in without their knowledge, how likely are they to notice items may have been moved?

does their space have an 'aesthetic' to it, or is it more function over appearances?

how willing are they to share that space with others? are 'guests' welcome to make themselves at home, or is the space more 'look, don't touch'?

and lastly, what are three items or objects that will absolutely be in this space? (i.e. books, action figures, spell jars, art prints, a headphone set, stuffed animals, etc)

oooooh ok ok i gotchu (only doing three cuz these are the ocs i have brainrot over right now)

brooklyn

has a few due to moving back and forth a lot!

FL - her bedroom at her grandparents is in the loft of their house so it’s got a slanted ceiling and a cozy vibe to it. there’s a windowsill to sit on that overlooks the surrounding marshlands. there’s also an old cabinet where tommy’s tank used to sit but surprise! it’s not needed anymore. she stores snacks in it now (mostly for guests).

NY - back at her mom’s apartment, she’s got a bunk bed with a desk as the lower bunk, and a tiny walk in closet (curtain instead of a door). her walls are also covered in art from mikey (she writes and he draws, so sometimes they inspire each other and she puts it all up - its mostly superheroes but sometimes it’s random doodles he does (and he’s gotten a few notebooks filled with some first drafts from her)).

both her spaces are very organized with lots of books and bookshelves - most of the books are related to biology or chemistry, but she’s got a few classics like Frankenstein, Jekyll & Hyde, The Martian (mostly science fiction). notebooks for things she’s studying or writing ideas she has. also, tons of bags. a bag for every occasion.

i’d classify her as “organized, but a little haphazardly,” and she might not notice immediately if someone had been through her stuff. she wouldn’t necessarily invite people in unless she’s really close to them (but if they waltz in, she’s just gonna grit her teeth and find an excuse to get them to go somewhere else).

like… an “academia” aesthetic, but very loosely organized, and most of the stuff is themed after biology. especially turtles (she just leaned into it).

-

tomatillo

after getting mutated, his spot was deemed brooke’s closet and she got rid of a bunch of stuff so he could have space in there. his stuff is mostly puzzles and puzzle books, and shoes (do you know what could be on the sidewalk??) along with all his archery gear, except for his target. that goes in a nearby tunnel close to the turtles’ lair for practice. he’s also got his own music player and headphones (the model varies based on which iteration) and enjoys dancing while brooke’s at school.

he is definitely a “don’t even think about coming into my space” (except brooke, obviously) and would know immediately if someone had messed with his carefully set up system. things have a place and should stay in their place, dammit!

no aesthetics here, what’s the point if it’s not functional?

-

t’ytian

salamandrians tend to live in hollowed out logs or dirt mounds and think of possessions very lightly. your weapon breaks, get a new one. he does like to mould clay and carve wood when he has time, so he has a bunch of little statues/trinkets. without much stuff to have, it never gets cluttered.

until he gets to earth.

t’ytian joins the mutanimals after a few adventures, and i have a headcanon they have their own abandoned warehouse as a sort of home base. most of them don’t live there, they just stop in to get food, or rest, or check to see if anyone can help with this mission, etc.

t’ytian sorta claims a corner on the upper level and has all his fascinating earth things, like, scattered around the area - did you know the earthlings have a thing called a paper clip to help them keep their papers organized?? how quaint! they also seem to decorate their city with things like traffic cones, so to make his space more earth-like, he found one. they also seem make stuffed caricatures of the various beasts on their planet, perhaps as a way of proving their superiority? he has several of these plushies of his favorite earth creatures. he’s learning about earthling culture!

he doesn’t know how to organize because back home, he didn’t have to. but everyone is welcome in his space and free to make themselves feel at home - hell, if they wanna borrow or even take something, he doesn’t mind (except for the stuff he brought from home, then he minds. you’ll have to duel him for it).

no aesthetics, just a lot of chaos. he wouldn’t even notice if someone went through or took something.