By Karin Beery
I love outlines. It started in high
school, and I mastered them in college. When I started writing for a local
newspaper, I struggled with my articles until I busted out the Roman numerals
and outlined my rough drafts. Then the articles practically wrote themselves.
My confusion started when I wrote my
novels. I wrote my first novel in six weeks, no outline. I just sat down and
wrote, never thinking about the details. My second novel, however, didn’t flow.
I wrote two versions with so many holes that by the time I finished my final
draft, I’d thrown away over 90,000 words.
My gut reaction told me to outline my
next novel. It worked for articles, it should work for books, right?
Wrong.
I outlined my next manuscript, and
something peculiar happened – I only followed it for the first few chapters.
Then the story ran off in different directions. Whole chapters summarized
themselves into a few paragraphs. Situations that took two lines in the outline
stretched into multi-chapter events. In summary, the outline failed.
So where does that leave me? Most
writers classify themselves as outliners or SOTP (seat-of-the-pants) writers.
You can find dozens of articles extolling the virtues of each, but I don’t fit
into either clubhouse. Should I outline, or free-write?
I recently read Organic Writing by Steven James, published in Writer’s Digest and
it changed my perspective. He doesn’t focus on technique. Instead, it’s all
about the story.
So how does one write organically? These
are James’ ideas through the lens of my understanding.
1.
Re-evaluate what
you’ve heard about story. Know what every story needs, and put it in there.
James says, “When you’re informed about what makes a story work, you’re never
writing from the seat of your pants.” That doesn’t mean you don’t write
freestyle, it just means you know what you need to include before you start
typing.
2.
Let narrative
forces, rather than formulas, drive your story. I’ve got lots
of diagrams and ideas about the writing doors, bridges, acts, etc. The problem
comes when I try to fit the story into those molds, rather than letting the
story tell itself. Forget the formulas.
3.
Follow rabbit
trails.
“Without serendipitous discoveries your story runs the risk of feeling
artificial and prepackaged.” Enough said.
4.
Write from the
center of the paradox.
You need to know the backstory, but you don’t need to write it. Start in the
middle, with the action, and go to the end.
5.
Trust the
fluidity of the process. It’s okay to abandon the outline. It’s also okay
to start with idea and watch the story run off the page. Just go with it.
These revelations relieved the pressure
of identifying what type of writer I am and freed me to sit and write, even if
that means a great outline that I abandon midway. It’s okay to follow the story,
where ever it leads. After all, it’s the reason I’m writing.
Karin Beery is a freelance writer/editor/coach, wife, care giver, and homemaker,
Karin Beery has published over 350 articles in various periodicals, in addition
to writing her novels. With a degree in English and five years of experience as
a freelance writer and editor, Karin offers proofreading, editing, and coaching
services for writers at all levels. She is an active member of many
professional organizations, and is well-versed in publishing standards and
requirements. She specializes in business writing and fiction (strange, but
true). You can find her online at:
Website: www.karinbeery.com
Twitter: @karinbeery
Facebook: Karin Beery – Writer/Editor/Coach
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