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The Timeline Outline:

A lot of novels use some numbered story structures (that I have posted about before). They're meant to be general outlines around the emotional intensity of each section of the book.

However, when you've had a non-outlined work you'd like to go back to, you might find multiple parts of your story don't 'fit into' one or any of the given structures. After all, each story could be different from any else, and yours not following the trend doesn't mean it's not well-plotted.

The TLOL is a method I created when I came back to when I returned to my first ever works, and it's all about customizing your own story's sections based on one or a few factors. It could work with new ideas as well.

Plot a timeline:

Essentially, write down a list of events in chronological order. You can write only major events, or some detailed ones that you have in mind.

You can leave gaps in undecided places, or mark the placement of chapters and acts as well.

2. Choose a factor to divide it by:

This might be a bit difficult. It means to split the events you listen based a thing or two, and these divisions will help you decide on the tone and language to use later.

Some things you can consider are:

Emotional intensity.

Current/Changing goal(s) of the main character.

Progression of the main character's bigger goal.

The stakes or danger.

Suspense.

3. Split the parts:

After all of that, you can actually get into dividing your plotline. These sections can be as large or small as you'd like, and you could as well use several factors, since they could align in certain parts. Ex. the part where your characters are at an emotional low is likely the part where they are getting farther from their goal.

Afterwards, you can decide on how to approach each part with questions like:

Which one has more ready details?

What tone would fit into them?

How large are each of them (as a proportion of the book)?

Getting BACK into writing

[the-writing-mechanic-official]

Getting BACK into writing

So far, I've mainly posted about tips for beginners, but to be honest, I never actually used them. Some of my works from when I first started are still on going, so beginner's advice is not really cutting it.

Instead, here are some new writing methods I developed to deal with that, all of which I'll be explaining further:

Timeline Outline

Character Re-exploration

Plot-Holes

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3, the idea was all holes, the writing was terrible, and I used colons for speech. But at least it was FINISHED.

*This poll was submitted to us and we simply posted it so people could vote and discuss their opinions on the matter. If you’d like for us to ask the internet a question for you, feel free to drop the poll of your choice in our inbox and we’ll post them anonymously (for more info, please check our pinned post).

[the-writing-mechanic-official]

The Writer's Workbook:

Writing

Additional Advice

Things to keep in mind while actually writing:

The 1st Draft:

A very common mistake many people (me included) fell for was not finishing the first draft immediately. And I mean by that stopping in the middle and going back to change or edit things.

It's always better to continue through the first draft until the end, keep notes of what to change or revise later then leave it for the second draft. It's always easier to build off an existing text later on.

2. Drafts

On the other hand, what other people fall for is the lack of revision. The first draft is a start, but it's not everything. Books go through rounds after rounds of editing and reviewing before you get tired enough to just publish it, since in might never be perfection. But it will be something.

Don't rush it.

3. Keeping up with ideas:

Having an outline or skeleton to the plot that you can follow is extremely useful. If you've used the snowflake method then you might reach a point from which each sentence can be made into a plot point, then writing each one out will be much easier.

Similarly, it's good to keep tables and/or written concepts of characters/world to follow. There have been multiple instances of writers accidentally changing something about a character halfway through. Having a database of these things can help avoid that.

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The Writer's Workbook:

Writing

4.3 The Snowflake Method

This method is particularly good if you need to expand on your idea or need more help to outline or plot.

The snowflake method depends on branching out a single idea to make it wider and broader. You can get from a single idea to a fairly detailed outline of the story.

Explain your plot in one sentence.

Develop the sentence into a paragraph that includes the major points.

Expand on each sentence and make it a paragraph.

This can go on as much as you need. Additionally, you can use the same method for characters, starting with a paragraph to multiple one.

Alternatively, you can try writing it in bullet points or numbered events make understanding it easier.

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[the-writing-mechanic-official]

Writing prompts #37

Words: Oasis, Hallucinate, Desperation, Midday, Dig.

'I squinted, trying to make out the shining beam through the water of the oasis. I sat up, putting my hand through the cool water to feel out the golden shine.'

Dialogue: '*Coughs for water*'

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Writing Prompt #36

Words: Bird, Strange, Abandonment, Creation, Decide.

''We remained still for a good minute or two, staring and the slow-moving creature at out feet. It was harder to look away than keep my eyes on it. We collectively agreed:''

Dialogue: 'This thing came from the pits of hell.'

[the-writing-mechanic-official]

The Writer's Workbook:

Writing

4.25 Story Arcs

To expand on my last post on the 3-Act story structure, there are actually other structures to go with.

The 5-Act Structure:

This structure is more simplistic and is mostly used in fairytales or books aimed for children. The flow of action in it is a steady rise then fall.

Act I: Exposition.

Act II: Rising Action.

Act III: Climax.

Act IV: Falling Action.

Act V: Resolution.

The 8-Act Structure

This one is basically a more outlined form of the 3-act Structure. Every act here can fall under the same 3 in that one. If you have the events of your structure, you can further detail them with this one.

Act I: The Exposition. (Setup)

Act II: The Inciting Incident. (Setup)

Act III: Rising Action. (Confrontation)

Act IV: Mid-Point. (Confrontation)

Act V: Vital Plot Point. (Confrontation)

Act VI: Pre Climax. (Resolution)

Act VII: Climax. (Resolution)

Act VIII: Denouncement. (Resolution)

If you compare these two to the 3-Act Structure. it looks like this.

Every plot point in the 5 and 8-act structures falls in with the 3-act, but the difference is in the distribution of the suspense/tension.

The 5-act is good for a certain type of stories, but if the 3-act fit with you more, consider expanding it with the 8-act structure.

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The Writer's Workbook:

Writing

4.2 The 3-Act Story Structure

The 3-Act Structure is a method used in story writing (mostly in films and such but often in books too) where the story is divided into 3 parts based off certain plot points, known as Act I, Act II, and Act III. They are often called the Setup, Confrontation and Resolution.

This method is simple and an easy to define your plot-points. A plot-point is an event or scene that marks a new development or twist in the story.

Act I: The Setup:

The setup should be about the first 20% of your novel. It basically describes the average life of the main character and how they are normal. Challenges they face in everyday life etc. This also includes the inciting incident which is the (somewhat) big change that puts the main character into a transformative journey (or a real one).

Just because it describes the "norm" of the character's life, it doesn't mean it has to be boring. Just like the opening scene, Act I should actual aim to be more interesting than the reader's expectations.

Act II: The Confrontation:

This is the part where the MC goes through their journey (whether metaphorically or not), so it is usually the longest act, around 50%. The confrontation should highlight the changes of the MC's life after the inciting incident and how they deal with it. It also includes new minor or even major challenges they have to face.

Most times, the Confrontation ends with a plot twist or higher stakes than usual to link to the Resolution. But that's not the case all the time.

Act III: The Resolution:

This is where the climax (point of highest suspense) happens. It can be as long or short as you'd like. The resolution is when the character(s) face the biggest source of conflict that they might or might not have anticipated. It is where they must get to their lowest then rise again- or just die if it's a tragedy or such.

The resolution has points of rising and falling action throughout until the end. Even if it does end in a cliff-hanger (unfinished), there will probably be a point where the danger starts going away a little bit.

Dividing the major events/plot-points into this structure is easy and it can be very good if you just want to get the order of events straight. If it sounds repetitive, like people have done this before, well, yes. Almost every story out there can be divided into these acts, and what makes it different from one book to the other are the characters, idea and execution.

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The Writer's Workbook:

Writing

4.1 The Opening Scene

What makes this scene important, obviously, is that it can make or break a reader's opinion of the book. Usually, if you can't get their attention from the first 5-7 pages or the first chapter, it's probably over. I have read some books then dropped because the first chapter or two weren't interesting or even well-written.

This is also part of the reason why many people don't like prologues, since it takes you out of the main story before it starts, but the same thing that applies to the opening scene would apply to a prologue if you decide to have one.

That said, the opening scene should:

Introduce (at least) the main character in a way. Their name, status quo or personality.

Start somewhere important. Definitely not with the ''Waking up in a normal morning'' thing.

Set the tone and genre of the book.

Invest a reader into asking "What will happen next?"

Also, the opening scene SHOULDN'T:

Introduce too many characters at once (not a problem if you just mention names).

Dive into the world/how it works (make it more character-focused).

Be excessively long (first chapter).

Tell readers about the characters more than show how they behave/think.

Ask yourself:

What is the "Inciting Incident" that happens?

What sort of environment or time is the scene set in?

How do you want the reader to feel after/during it?

What are the other important details you want to mention.

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Writing Prompt #35

Words: Leave, Make, Gracious, Ending, Tragedy.

''The warrior has given it his all. Everything he ever had, he'd thrown away for the safety of those around him. Those they'd loved. And what did the world give him in return. Nothing. He was left alone to...'

Dialogue: 'I should've seen it coming.'

[the-writing-mechanic-official]

Writing Prompt #34

Words: Crumble, Grey, Fervent, Thirst, Terror.

'A struggled to breath, much less stand up. Their body... something was wrong. And B standing there, completely confused. Must be weird for them to find a like this. Then B speaks, and A breaks down.'

Dialogue: 'A- are you alright?'

[the-writing-mechanic-official]

The Writer's Workbook:

World Building

3.5 Additional Points

More important things to keep in mind.

It's World Building

The reason it's called that is because it doesn't happen all at once. When you put the reader into a new world, you won't cram everything about it immediately. World building happens over the course of the book, with relevant information being added when you need them. Which leads to...

2. Knowing what to include

To sprinkle information, you'll want to sum it up most of the time, don't make it lengthy or get into unnecessary details or side-stories. That is exactly what makes it world "dumping".

Say, if a character asks a question, answer it with the main point/recount only. you can also hint at smaller details, but make sure it's still on point. But...

3. Expand the world

The world you're making is probably big. Too much to fit into the story, even while spreading it out. Even if it might be useless, I still encourage writing all the lore for yourself. The readers will get the important parts, but everything deeper that might not be mentioned can still be utilized to gain a full picture on it. Make more connections, know your world better than anyone.

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Writong Prompt #33

Words: Prepare, Stand, Hope, Calendar, Grain.

'Everything was in place just as the time was over. Yes, this was it. They could do it. They could final- wait...'

Dialogue: 'Who the hell is that?'

[the-writing-mechanic-official]

The Writer's Workbook:

World Building

3.4 History

Now, this won't be so directly important to the story, but you should have a history of the setting to go with it. Anything relevant to the current events.

Note: Keep in mind, avoid dumping a lot of it at once. That'll just be confusing and uncalled for. The best way to approach this is by adding small moment-relevant information every time it's needed.

Draw a timeline that can highlight:

Actions of well-known figures.

Previous repercussions.

Details related to the main character.

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Writing Prompt #32:

Words: Recite, Cushion, Weapon, Spell, Bubble.

'A knight visited a sorcerer to ask for something that could potentially save lives. The sorcerer agrees to help, and sends them on missions to get ingredients with increasingly ridiculous rarity.'

Dialogue: 'Say it, I swear to god.' 'You'll find it in (insert faraway country).' 'For the sake of-'

[the-writing-mechanic-official]

The Writer's Workbook:

World Building

3.3 Social Factors

As long as there are people there, there will be a social structure you'll have to figure out. Basically how are the people like and why. This also includes looking at the governing force in that world, specially if it identifies as a country.

Start with the Population:

What do most people look like?

How do they behave?

What are their traditions and values?

Are they religious? If so, who do they believe in?

How many of them are there? Are the considered over or under-populated?

Where do they concentrate/will you find the most of them?

What sort of technology do they use and how civilized are they?

As for politics, the best place to start is thinking what kind of government they have. I won't bother listing all since there are so many, but some videos I think explain it well are this one and this one.

What's important about knowing the type of government there is is to know how it would impact the land and people (including your characters). A common antagonist in many fantasy stories is society/authority so... there is that.

Also consider asking:

How is power distributed there?

What other communities do they rival or befriend?

How many political parties are there?

What values do they support?

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