Should I try to outline?

[Deleted member 68927]

Today I wrote 1k words and simply ended up stuck. I feel as if the chapter is incomplete, but I have no idea what to write next. Not even which Character POV I should take. So, should I try brainstorming and rolling dice, then put the result in an outline? I don't think I can keep to a detailed outline, but if you have a way that could happen, please, do share.

This book is different from what I normally write, but I am already almost at my 10th hour of writing it, and my monkey brain is telling me to move the things forward and write the ending. The problem? I need at least a month of content more, and then some because the Big Bad is still in his grave, kept there by the bones of an unknown saint.

This time I really wrote myself into a corner.

 

[Cipiteca396]

Today I wrote 1k words and simply ended up stuck. I feel as if the chapter is incomplete, but I have no idea what to write next. Not even which Character POV I should take. So, should I try brainstorming and rolling dice, then put the result in an outline? I don't think I can keep to a detailed outline, but if you have a way that could happen, please, do share.

This book is different from what I normally write, but I am already almost at my 10th hour of writing it, and my monkey brain is telling me to move the things forward and write the ending. The problem? I need at least a month of content more, and then some because the Big Bad is still in his grave, kept there by the bones of an unknown saint.

This time I really wrote myself into a corner.

Have an enemy/friend steal/remove the bones of the saint and release the big bad early.

 

[Deleted member 68927]

Have an enemy/friend steal/remove the bones of the saint and release the big bad early.

The MC is not ready to kill the big bad Lich. He'd die, the world will go to the crapper.

 

[Cipiteca396]

The MC is not ready to kill the big bad Lich. He'd die, the world will go to the crapper.

So show the world going to the crapper. The MC will desperately be questing for more strength while things are going to shit in the background.

Or have a valued party member step in to temporarily reseal him I suppose, Zelda style.

 

[georgelee5786]

I'd say write an outline, however vague. I don't usually write outlines, but I think they're beneficial.

Regarding the end, supposing the bones keep the Lich in because of lingering energy from the saint, you could have the MC get an infusion of such power. Risky though, as it could end up a deus ex machina, but it can also end up rather interesting if written well.

 

[Deleted member 68927]

I'd say write an outline, however vague. I don't usually write outlines, but I think they're beneficial.

Regarding the end, supposing the bones keep the Lich in because of lingering energy from the saint, you could have the MC get an infusion of such power. Risky though, as it could end up a deus ex machina, but it can also end up rather interesting if written well.

Thank you for the input!

 

[Deleted member 146224]

I don't think I can keep to a detailed outline, but if you have a way that could happen, please, do share.

Outline doesn't have to be very detailed.
My process looks like this:

1. Start with thinking what kind of story I want to tell. Then think about beginning (point A) and the ending (B)
2. Add key events in between point A and B. Just a general idea like: "party gets ambushed" or something like this. It's just an even that will be and instigator for the next story push and something that gives shape to the story.
3. Add more "fluff" events in between the key points. Usually I try to make it fun for myself to write since, these don't affect the plot too much.

And even then it's more like a rough sketch that you don't really need to stick to much, but it might be enough to give you an idea as what to do next.

 

[Notadate]

my sysetm crashed writng gonan rewrite it.

Yes and no. I do, like vague a power point. chop, cellar, cook, think, bed, system, attacked. ibut i mentall know how it'll go these are just reminders

Or I make a vague outline by writing it out and then refine it.

 

[Deleted member 68927]

Ok, I did it. I got ten more chapters with like 3–5 scenes in each one. Let us see if I can finish this novel!

Happy writing, everyone!
Ok, so I wrote like half a chapter based on the outline, and... it is not as bad as I thought it would be. Now, the outline I did is bare bones, no dialogue, no details. One might say, I am still pantsing along, but now with a list of things the characters should do.

And it really is not that bad. I thought that when I figured out the ending, I will stop writing. Yet, I wrote 1500 words like my ass was on fire. I have no idea if I would be outlining my novels from now on, but if this novel actually ends up finishing with the ending from the outline, then I don't see why not.

I feel like a hack, though. Writing shouldn't be so easy.

 

[melchi]

Keeping notes on what happens in the future is cheat mode :D

 

[Deleted member 68927]

Keeping notes on what happens in the future is cheat mode :D

I am a dirty, dirty, cheating Penmonkey. Don't expect anything better from me.

 

[TsumiHokiro]

Gratz on being able to think differently for a time.

 

[SnowLabrador]

Absolutely. Without an outline, you're going to write yourself into a corner. Book it.

 

[KuruKinaar]

I think Outlines help direct you from point a-b in a simple way to get the rough draft out. Outlines can be vague directions of the important points that happen within the chapter. For me, I write out my ideas chapter by chapter like:

-main character meets other character, they discuss this interesting topic that will be referenced later, and chapter ends this way.
I fill in the detail gaps later. As long as I am getting the flow of the main story out, that's what's important.

Also to note, if you're stuck because you think you need to write the next event after what's been written, don't! Whatever idea you have and want to write, go for it. You can write the ending if that's what you're feeling! You can always jump back and forth between start and finish just so that way you're getting everything written out :D That's what editing is for ;)

Hope that helps! If not, sorry for the ramble haha XD