Writing Outlines: How I've Learned Not To Hate It

On Monday I went to see Jennifer Weiner speak at Vroman’s in Pasadena. If you haven’t heard her yet she’s a spectacular speaker and attending her events is well worth whatever drive is required to get to them (I’ll write more about Jennifer in a different post). During the event someone asked her if she wrote outlines for her books. I’m not sure why but it’s a question that comes up at almost every book event I have ever attended or spoken at.  

Outlines are funny things. I didn’t write one for Sex, Murder And A Double Latte but then why would I have? I started that book with the intention of just writing a short little story to help distract me from a difficult divorce (is there any other kind?). It wasn’t until I was half way through it that I decided to make it into a book and then I wrote out a general game plan as to how I wanted the story to go but I wouldn’t call it an outline.

The 2nd book I wrote (and my 3rd book published) was So Much For My Happy Ending.  That was basically a highly fictionalized autobiography so I didn’t have to write an outline. I knew EXACTLY how that story went. I had already lived it. It poured out of my like a tidal wave of pent up emotion.

But when I got to Passion, Betrayal And Killer Highlights (3rd book written, 2nd published) I decided I was going to be über professional about it and wrote a detailed outline. Everything was planned out. And then I started actually writing the book. Guess what? The outline didn’t hold up. Or it would have held up if I had wanted to turn in a 200 page manuscript to my editor but I knew my editor would tell me that was too short.  Mitch Albom can get away with writing a 200 page hardcover, I can’t and although I had planned out each chapter in the outline things were moving at a much faster pace than I had anticipated. So I threw the outline out and proceeded without it. I tried writing an outline for Obsession, Deceit And Really Dark Chocolate and although there was no problem with the length, its structure didn’t hold up once I tried to flesh it out in a manuscript so I threw that out too.

It wasn’t until I was ready to write Lust, Loathing And A Little Lip Gloss that it finally dawned on me what my problem was:

I hate writing outlines.

Hate, hate, hate it. It’s right up there with one of my least favorite things to do as a writer, perhaps second to the last round of edits when I’m checking for missed spelling errors and somebody else’s typos. But that said, just like checking for spelling errors, writing an outline can be an important task. They help to add structure to a book and can really help keep the pacing and action strong.  But when I sit down at my computer knowing that I must start the process of creating a book by writing an outline I get an instant headache. It’s like telling a small child that he has to start his meal with brussel sprouts with only a vague promise that after he’s finished them he’ll get something better to eat.  True, that means he’s saving the best for last but it might be hard getting the kid to the table. And when I think I have to start a writing project with an outline it really is hard to get me to the table. Once I’m there I rush through the chore neglecting details by metaphorically tossing them to the dogs (or rabbit...we are talking about vegetables here) or shoving them under my plate so I can hurry up and get to the good part.

But actually starting the book itself, introducing (or in the case of Sophie, reintroducing) myself to characters and a new storyline...well that’s my cocktail. I love that part.  I realized that if I could just start with THAT I would be rushing to the table whenever it was time to start a new project.

So now I begin my books by writing about 15 pages without anything. Then I’ll stop long enough to write a 2 page synopsis which gives me a general direction. Once I get to 40 or 50 pages of manuscript that’s when I write an outline. I did this with both Lust, Loathing And A Little Lip Gloss and Vows, Vendettas & A Little Black Dress. By the time I’m done with those first few chapters I know who my characters are, how long it will take them to do the things I want them to do and I know how I want the story to go.  Perhaps more importantly, I am always excited about what I’m writing by the time I’m done with those pages which makes putting together an outline seem like less of a chore.  The promise of what’s to come after the brussel sprouts isn’t vague, it’s totally tangible and I’ll happily submit to the work of creating an outline in order to get to the main course.  

I realize this approach won’t work for everyone but if you have a hard time sticking to outlines you might want to try it. If nothing else you’ll get to have a cocktail before your veggies. 

Kyra Davis

Bestselling Author of:

The Sophie Katz Mystery Series
and
So Much For My Happy Ending
Order Vows, Vendettas & A Little Black Dress today!

Recommend-A-Book-Wednesday: Browne & King's Self-Editing For Fiction Writers

Usually on Recommend-A-Book-Wednesday I try to review a midlist book.  I want to give publicity to those who don’t have the advantage of a publisher-paid-for publicity campaign. However today I want to recommend a book written by authors who don’t really need help because the book they wrote can help a lot of authors who do.

When I was writing my first manuscript, Sex, Murder And A Double Latte, I had no professional training in creative writing.  I hadn’t written so much as a short story since high school. In short, I didn’t know what I was doing which is why I went to the bookstore and picked up a bunch of how-to-write-a-novel-books. Those books were helpful to varying degrees but only one was indispensable: Self-Editing For Fiction Writers: How To Edit Yourself Into Print by Renni Browne and Dave King.

By the time I picked up Brown & King’s book I had already written the first draft of my novel but their advice helped me see my manuscript with fresh eyes and I realized that I had a lot of work to do.  After reading their insights about point of view (third person vs. first) I went back and rewrote the entire manuscript so that it was told in first person.  I also realized what I needed to cut, what I needed to clarify and how to make those clarifications without treating my readers like idiots incapable of picking up on subtlety.  Little things like when to use brand names and when to just call it a jacket were explained as were how to use internal monologue without over-doing it. By the time I had implemented all the lessons I had learned from Self-Editing For Fiction Writers I had a manuscript that was a hundred times stronger than what I had started out with.  Sex, Murder And A Double Latte, my first attempt at a book earned me a three book deal and within a month I had another contract for So Much For My Happy Ending.  

Five years have passed since my first book hit the shelves and last month I celebrated the release of my 6th book, Vows, Vendettas And A Little Black Dress. And yes, while I was writing Vows I thought back to all the things I had been taught by Browne & King and before I ever handed it to my editor I made sure I had stayed true that early training.  

So for all my aspiring author friends and for my published author friends who think they could use a refresher course, I really recommend that you check out Self-Editing For Fiction Writers.  For me, that $10 book translated into advances that have, over the years, totaled well over $100,000.  If that’s not a good investment I don’t know what is.

As always I encourage you to leave your book recommendations in the comment section.  I think all of us here are constantly on the look out for engaging and entertaining reading material. I know I am!

Kyra Davis 

Bestselling Author of:

The Sophie Katz Mystery Series
and
So Much For My Happy Ending
Order Vows, Vendettas & A Little Black Dress today!