#OutLine

[mediumgayitalian]

Do you possibly have any ideas where your mortal(?¿) doc!Will and injured Nico and Reyna fic is gonna go? It was amazing and such an interesting concept for an AU that drifts from cannon so yeah, really curious where it goes

(or if you have any ideas/updates plans for any other fics, I will take that too)

I know the summer and July are busy for you and you don't have much time for your amazing writing, but I will be here waiting patiently for more (and I am sure many others will too)

I DO ACTUALLY I HAVE A (barren.) OUTLINE!! i originally intended for this to be much smaller lol. but anyway here is the plan:

reyna and nico on a quest injured as all fuck. literally going to die if they don’t get help. have to go to a mortal hospital.

and their doctor is YOUNG and HOT and a DEAD RINGER FOR APOLLO

he can see thru the mist and recognises them as ‘warriors’ and treats them with the remedies he’s made himself and the nectar he has secretly in hand

he heals them up well but there’s only so far apothecary healing can stretch. and like they have NOTHING. they are in this tiny ass texas town and even still it’s big enough for a hospital but barely. there is no demigod safe house nearby, nico can’t shadow travel, reyna can’t lend strength, they’re out of money and shit out of luck and if they sleep on the streets there’s a very real chance they could die from exposure.

so will takes them home. they don’t like it — he’s been helpful but they’re paranoid — also what the hell is up with this guy who doesn’t know what a demigod is but can heal better than some legacies at new rome — also it would be bad to bring monsters to them — but again they’re shit out of luck. so they go.

and shock of their life will takes them to this tiny tiny tinier ass town, opens his apartment, and its WITCHY.

sage burning. plants everywhere. second will crosses the doorway he puts on a flower crown of lilac and hyacinth, takes off his shoes. salts the doorway once they cross over it.

keeps odd things away, he explains for their benefit. spirits. visions. the like. he adds that he knows he sounds crazy but he’s perfectly normal when he’s not hallucinating vampire women with fire hair at his door, and the salt keeps those hallucinations away.

and reyna and nico are like oh god oh fuck this man is straight up a demigod.

and he’s??? 28???

he’s a resident still technically but they’re so understaffed that he’s just been practicing since the day he arrived at that hospital. he knows his shit. plus he graduated high school YOUNG and pre med early too like he’s something of a prodigy. who lives in a 200 person town outside of austin called sheffield.

and he’s a DEMIGOD.

a POWERFUL ONE.

who’s been COMPLETELY UNNOTICED — although apparently monster-plagued — for years.

like what the fuck.

now the only thing worse than an ignorant demigod away from camp is a knowing demigod away from camp so they don’t tell him. but that means they have to heal normally. still faster — they’re demigods and will’s treatment, even without hymns & practiced healing powers, is unmatched, but instead of their injuries taking six months to heal it’s taking closer to a month.

they don’t have drachmas they can’t have phones they have no way to contact camp and nico is in genuine danger if he shadow travels so they are well and truly stranded.

but too stubborn to be bedbound.

so they hang out with will a lot.

nico falls hard and fast. part of this is because will is his soulmate but part of this is that will has a two bedroom apartment, and reyna’s injury means she can’t safely share a bed — will kicks — nico thrashes — so will and nico share bc will is not letting an injured nico sleep on the floor, not in a million years, and will also doesn’t want to sleep on the floor. so they share. and they’re seeing each other day in and day out you know. and reyna’s concussion is bad so she has to sleep a lot and nico is bored and lonely.

but yeah they fall in love.

and around the third week mark their good luck gives out. all the sigils in the world can’t keep will’s apartment safe from three powerful demigod, one being a child of the big three, and there is an attack. nico and reyna try to protect will and they do but nico gets INJURED. bad. and will crashes out.

he kills every cell in those monsters bodies. and as a sun blazes over his head, he cradles a dying nico to his chest, in the centre of the destruction, and sings the songs he hears in his dreams. the songs his mother sang to him as a child.

it’s a near thing. but nico doesn’t die.

they kiss blah blah . they try to take will back to camp (camp jupiter first and nico is like hey?? no way?? you guys have like eighty legacies?? we’ve had no one since michael died?? and also he’s hot and i called dibs?? and will is bright red bc no one has ever argued over him before not like this) but will is like guys…im finishing my residency.

and nico is like WHAT and reyna is like WHAT and he’s like look i have two years left. okay. i am getting my fucking certifications. i’m a doctor. i am not skimping out on year ten of twelve because im a fucking. demigod. or whatever.

so they can’t convince him to leave and so they have to separate and nico is MISERABLE. like inconsolable. it hurts so bad.

the entire trip back to new rome is silent.

forgot to add there’s a very teary goodbye where will is like. you’ll come back for me right. in two years. and nico swears it on the styx that he will but will has no frame of reference for what that means. cries and cries because he knows he’s never going to see nico again. and nico was the first person to ever make him feel like he wasn’t crazy. like he was SOMETHING.

and then epilogue is that nico comes back to years later and they fuck off to camp half blood where will revolutionalizes demigod healing forever the end

as you can see ive already adjusted some stuff and im sure ill adjust more and its very messy. lol. but!! more 2 come!!

[2022dirt]

Outlines of two alligators that slept through the rain.

[mrtonestill60s]

Alana Kern with a nice outline.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: Novel Outline

Novel outline - a document that includes important planning information about your novel’s structure, plot, characters, scenes, and more. It is the skeleton of your novel.

An outline can be anything from a one-page written document to a comprehensive visual mindmap that uses diagrams to represent the link between information and ideas.

If you have the space, you can write your sentences on index cards and post them on a wall to make it easier to view and manipulate the parts.

Each event should be a single, short sentence (e.g. Danny gets shot in the leg).

How to Create a Novel Outline

Grab your notebook (or index cards) and follow these simple steps:

1. Craft your premise

This is the underlying idea for your story.

A good way to find the premise is to ask yourself, “What would happen if…?”

For example: What would happen if a young man who survives a shipwreck spends months in a lifeboat with a large Bengal tiger? (Life of Pi, 2001) Or: What would happen if four strangers met in an Italian villa during World War II? (The English Patient, 1992).

Next, it might help to try and answer a few key questions to help expand on the premise and generate new ideas. Things like:

Who is the main protagonist?

What is the situation?

How will the protagonist change from the beginning of the novel to the end?

What is her/her objective?

What does he/she want?

How does he/she get or not get what they want?

Is there an opposing force that is stopping the protagonist from achieving this objective?

What is the central conflict of the novel?

What about the central theme—what are you trying to say?

Once you’ve worked out the answers to these questions, write a 1-paragraph summary of the novel. Think of it as an elevator pitch.

2. Determine your setting

In a novel, the setting (time, place) can be just as important as the characters. Readers need to feel a sense of where things are happening, just as much as why they’re happening.

Planning setting can depend on a number of things, depending on what kind of novel you’re writing. Get to know your setting intimately. Do as much research as you can. If your novel is set in the real world, find photos, descriptions, and other materials to inform your ideas.

Is your novel set in a boarding school? During a particular period in time?

Find as much information, both written and visual, about boarding schools in that time. Picture your settings in your mind, and write down as much detail as you can: everything from how something looks and sounds to how it might smell, taste, or feel.

3. Get to know your characters

Write character profiles. Visualize them. Pretend you’re introducing these characters to your friends. What would you say about them? What details would you include, and what details would you omit—and why? What kind of journey will each character undertake in the novel? Where will they start, and where will they end up? Who will be central to the novel’s plot, and who will just serve as color and background?

Develop character backstories. Think of the moments in each character’s life that have led them to the point where they are introduced in the novel. What elements have shaped their personality and progression as characters? Do they have unresolved issues crucial to the plot?

One method is to conduct a Q&A with the most important characters, as a way of finding out more about them. Ask your characters a series of questions (get as personal as you want) and have him/her answer in his/her own words.

4. Construct your plot

Construct a timeline of events. Write down everything that happens in the novel, from the beginning to the end. Include details where you can, such as where the events take place, and who is involved. If you know the outcome of the events, and how they will impact the novel’s overall plot, include this as well (these can help form the foundation of additional subplots).

Beginning: The beginning of your novel has to accomplish a lot. It must introduce the hero, the villain, and the world of the story, as well as the story’s sole dramatic question, and it must do this with enough energy to grab your reader’s interest right away. A prologue can be useful for seizing the reader’s attention.

Middle: Often, tension evaporates in the middle of a novel, so it’s a good idea to figure out your ending first. It may not be perfect, and you can always change it later, but it’s useful to know the climax to which your characters are headed. Having that destination will help you stay focused during the “middle muddle.” Write as many short sentences as you need to describe the pathway your characters will take to reach the climax.

End: While it may seem daunting to figure out the ending so early, just return to your sole dramatic question, which already has your ending hidden within it. For example, if your question is: Will Ahab catch the whale? Then your story’s finale will be the moment when he does.

5. Write your scenes

Once your plot outline is in place, you’ll have a better idea of what scenes will need to be placed where. Add them to the outline. Flesh them out as much as you want—everything from where the action takes place to who is involved, even dialogue if you already know what you want your characters to say. Don’t worry about things making sense at this point, you’ll have time later to go back and highlight anything that feels out of place. Just focus on getting everything down so you can see it in front of you.

Once your outline is complete, you’ll be free to start writing your first draft with the knowledge that if you falter, you can always turn back to the outline to see the big picture. As you begin the writing process, watch out for gaps in logic. Refer back to the outline, and update storylines, plot points, and the timeline as you go along.

While it’s necessary to have a basic grasp of your characters and your world when you start writing, it’s not essential to know everything up front. In fact, even with the most meticulous outlines, you may still find that your characters do things to upset your plans. When this happens, follow your instincts. Don’t be afraid to toss your outline or significantly revise it mid-way through your novel. A good rule to remember is that outlines involve plotting what will happen to your characters, but in the end, your characters should determine your plot.

Classic Methods for Creating Novel Outlines

No two outlines are ever the same, however there are myriad methods to kickstart the novel outline process.

Synopsis outline. This involves the creation of a short document, usually one or two pages long, that gives you a rough idea of the novel’s structure but also leaves room for flexibility. Think of this as a synopsis of the book, hitting all the major beats: what happens in the beginning, middle, and end? What are the major plot points and twists? What is the climax? What is the resolution?

In-depth outline. This is a more evolved outline that usually involves writing chapter summaries and outlining the different scenes within those chapters. This is more comprehensive and can take a lot more time. However, some writers swear by this method to stay on track. Some in-depth outlines can almost be mini-novels themselves, hitting around the 10,000-word mark.

Snowflake method. This method was created by author and writing instructor Randy Ingermanson. It begins with a one-sentence summary of the story you’re trying to tell. For example, the sentence could be something like: “Two teenagers discover a secret cave that contains treasures that a group of criminals has been hunting for.” The snowflake method would then require you to build that sentence into a paragraph, and then use that paragraph to create a series of character descriptions, and from there a series of storylines that involve those characters. The process spans outward until you have a fully outlined novel.

Bookend method. This method is for writers who prefer to leave some things to chance. It involves plotting the start and end of the story, as well as each of the main characters—but nothing more. This method is usually recommended for writers who already have a strong grasp of the characters and the kind of story they want to tell.

Basic Questions Every Outline Should Answer

Besides listing characters and plot points for story structure, your outline should give you a general sense of the direction of your story as well as the primary conflicts and tensions that will make it intriguing for readers. Keep the following questions in mind while creating your outline:

What is the main contract of the story? You must resolve the promises you made to your reader by the end of the novel.

What sort of time pressure is working on your characters?

What is at stake for the protagonist of the novel? Does the pressure on the main characters grow more intense as the story progresses?

Pros & Cons of Creating an Outline

Some writers are comfortable creating a detailed outline for a novel. New writers in particular find it helpful to have a road map.

Others feel that writing an outline diminishes the pleasure of discovering the story along the way. They argue that working from an outline means you’re not creating anymore, you’re translating your ideas.

In the literary world, novelists who use outlines are referred to as “plotters.” Example: Ernest Hemingway.

Those who don’t are known as “pantsers” — a reference to flying by the seat of their pants. Famous pantsers include Margaret Atwood and Stephen King.

While every writer is different, there are some general pros and cons to consider before creating your novel outline.

The benefits of creating an outline:

Helps visualize the big picture

Keeps the story on track

Logs which scenes go where

Clearly presents character arcs

Acts as a guide to ease writer’s block when you’re stuck

Clarifies the middle, to avoid the “muddle”

The drawbacks of creating an outline:

Can create a stilted narrative

If followed too closely, can feel formulaic

May lead to more showing rather than telling in the actual writing

Characters may seem to make inauthentic choices, solely based on plot points instead of natural results from narrative action

Bestselling author Stephen King supposedly swears by putting interesting characters in difficult situations and just seeing what happens. He famously said: “Outlines are the last resource of bad fiction writers who wish to God they were writing masters’ theses.”

That aside, both plotters and pantsers agree on one thing: there is no correct way when it comes to novel writing. It simply depends on what kind of writer you are, and what works for you.

Sources: 1 2 ⚜ More: References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[blissfullyunawares]

5 Days of Helping You Outline Your Next Novel

Day 1: Benefits of Outlining Before Writing Your Book

Follow along for all 5 installments of the mini series: helping you outline your next novel

I. Clear Direction - knowing where you’re going allows you to pack the right kind of clothes, same with a novel - know where you’re going so you can bring the right stuff

II. Strong Structure - by writing an outline, you can structure your book to have a natural rise and a fall, like breathing

III. Consistency in Writing - not getting stuck with what happens next allows you to write more content more consistently

IV. Intentional Themes - by defining your story outline, you can sprinkle in some intentional symbols and themes within your writing

V. Better Character Development - knowing the overall arc of your story allows your characters to experience the moment and become who they’re meant to be. you can add in vulnerable moments, mistakes, and bad decisions to help them become the best (or worst) version of themselves

VII. Opportunities for Foreshadowing - by knowing where you’re going, you can add in witty little details of foreshadowing (ex: the mercenary had a reputation that - well, you’ll see) to string your readers along

VIII. Scene Variety - similar to pacing, scene variety can be inserted into your novel to prevent boring repetitions and keep the pov fresh and interesting

IX. Realistic Plot Lines - knowing the journey and destination before the characters do allows you to insert realistic motive and plot lines that drive your characters, instead of allowing your characters to drive the plot with unforeseen chaos (although this happens sometimes too and it’s okay!)

your reblogs help me help more ppl 💕

You can find Day 2 of this mini series [here].

follow along for writing prompts, vocabulary lists, and helpful content like this! <333

✨ #blissfullyunawaresoriginals ✨

[xponentialdesign]

Tessellatives (color offset)

[nymori]

The pattern for the blue crow can be found on Etsy here, and the pattern for the green (originally red) raven is here.

I stitched these two corvids while my partner was off on a business trip. While I love the blue one, I changed the color scheme from red to green and added in the clouds for the other in an attempt to add at least one other color, and I'm not sure if the results are all that great. Maybe I should have stuck with the original colors. Hopefully, their intended recipient still loves them! Let me know in the tags if you still think it looks okay.

[by-izzmizz]

Yet another Jaheira WIP as I am figuring out what does the word COMPOSITION mean.

main reference image from @aristenfromwarsaw tysm

[collegetennisoriginstory]

Hi Allie, do you still have 10 chapters planned for CT:OS, and does that include the prologue (+ an epilogue if there will be one)? I tried searching for the answer but Tumblr search didn't come up with much except a post from a year ago, so I wasn't sure if your answer was still the same.

Ah you're right I should do an updated detailed post on ko-fi/tumblr soon, maybe after i finish the extra G scene.

But here's my general updated plan/outline:

Chap 6:

3 weeks leading up to the doubles tournament, slightly more condensed/short and sharp, with midterms and matches. I think it'll be a good switch up in pace to see your MC in their routine/settling unto life at Cargill (and living the consequences of previous choices).

G hang out scene

Convo / commitment to Tobin, Rayyan, G if not yet committed to Sam or Tobin

Chap 7

NCAO Doubles Championships (bus ride, hotel stay, big match)

See Sam briefly!

Chap 8:

Big match

Thanksgiving/fall break (G can be invited home, Sam will be home too)

Prep for the photography exhibition if in the club (+group project sesh w G)

Chap 9:

Finals week

Winter break (short vignettes of visiting either Rayyan/Tobin/G or chilling back home with Sam)

Back to school & chance to overtake Deepal or Tobin for No. 2 or 3 on the line-up

Chap 10:

Big match (potential injury)

Some snow day shenanigans

Chap 11:

Thinking of moving the Sam UCLA visit here - havent quite sorted this part out yet

Chap 12:

Another time skip, midterms

Some spring break shenanigans

Match that decides conference standings / whether Cargill makes it to round of 16 in the NCAO championships

Chap 13:

Quarter finals NCAO championship match

Finals week

"The talk" with G if romanced

Chap 14:

Travel for semis and finals

Championship Matches(!) Including Sam, and G (if romanced)

Epilogue

Athletes' dinner/banquet after (with awards & speeches)

Vignette of summer break

I'm really going to have to tighten up the writing and start WRITING LESS.

[metakeno]

Back from hiatus. :) feel free to color in the outlined image it would be cool to see which color combos others use.

[i-will-write]

How do I feel after outlining a story:

[winvyre]

I think it's funny that the general consensus among writers is that they have an outline that their characters won't follow.

I've never had a real outline and my characters have been begging me to at least follow the order of ideas for their entire lifespans.

You guys just gotta be more chaotic than your characters. Assert dominance.

[buromarks]

[vannycami]

Did a drawing of a dinosaur exploring space

Feel free to download and colour it digitally or print it to colour it! Feel free to show me if you do! Whatever you do with it, have fun~

And feel free to ask for any other drawing you might enjoy! Don't be shy, even if it can be scary to write to people, you're welcome here <3

[mizunolulu]

Didn't post full pic bc I didn't do the peets