Outlining and Writing
on a Word Processor The method I outlined on the previous page and here on this page is just one way to do things. If you produce salable results with the method or no method you use, then great. This is just one way to organize and get something on paper. That usually is the hardest part, getting something on paper. Take the organized stacks of 3X5 cards that are divided into chapters. Sit down at your word processor and start typing. As you go through each card you will find other things to add, delete, modify, whatever. Take it slowly and methodically. When you make a change, ensure you go back and forward to make that change everywhere including your database of characters, places, etc. Don't do too much at one sitting or your brain will turn into Jell-O. To be creative you need to be fresh and not distracted. When you finish outlining a chapter, stop and do a top to bottom review. Then take a break and come back to it the next day. Slowly each chapter will be outlined on your word processor. When the entire work is finished, take another break. The next day start the intensive review process. You can fill out some detail in your outline. As a matter of fact, this can be called your detailed outline. From this detailed outline, you will do your writing. The fun part of this whole process is the actual writing, but I am getting ahead of myself here. My point is to make the final, detailed outline your roadmap to your novel. Be careful not to get so detailed that you are actually writing the novel. There is a fine balance here. Each of us has to reach that point on our own. One other point before we deal with actually writing your work. I make a point of you using a word processor. You would normally think of an author with pen and paper in hand in a book-lined study. Or a manual typewriter or that whiz-bang device, the electric typewriter, might conjure up a picture of a hard-working novelist. Those may still work, but technology offers so many more advantages. The top three word processing programs offer automated setup, spell checking, grammar checking, and even a thesaurus. You can control every part of your work. All three software packages offer outlining, table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, and various other have-to-have features. I really think it is a must to have a powerful computer sporting an equally powerful word processing program. The big three are (not in any order of preference) Microsoft Word, Corel WordPerfect (the one I use), and Lotus WordPro. You might opt for a specialized computer that does nothing but word processing for those of us who cannot stay away from those games! Developing a set, standard routine for writing your novel, novella, short story, whatever on your favorite word processor is very important. You have to write at least one line a day and do it every day. Set aside time to write every day without distractions if possible. Then write each chapter according to your detailed outline. You can modify your outline as you write, if you need to. Don't worry about spelling or grammar, just write. Get it committed to paper or the word processor. If it doesn't relate to the theme of the story, get rid of it. Be simple. Tell a story. Once one chapter is done, then take the time to proof it. This reduces the editing process when the book is finished and gives you a break. Once the last chapter is proofed, spell and grammar checked, and edited, go back two chapters and proof these three chapters again. Then review your outline for the next chapter. Remember to connect the last chapter to the next and to point the next chapter to the chapter after that. Transitioning from chapter to chapter or even scene to scene has to be smooth and easily understood and followed. Remember to keep it simple. Use everyday language. Once your novel is done, then do more proofing and editing. Give to as many people to proof and edit for you as you can. Outside opinion is extremely important. After working on a project forever it seems, you can lose track of things. Others will be able to tell you if they get the point of the story. Whether it was readable or not. You are in trouble if your proofreaders have trouble reading the manuscript. Once the proofed and edited novel is done. Send it to your agent/publisher in the format they specify. Go to the How to & Other Tips page for links to places that list agents and publishers. An agent will be able to do all the hard work. You thought the hard work was writing. No! It is selling your novel and then promoting it. Don't forget to copyright your work as well. See the outline on the How to & Other Tips page for that. Now you are ready to start the sequel! 38In his teaching he said, ‘Beware of the scribes who like to walk about in long robes, to be greeted respectfully in the market squares,39to take the front seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets;40these are the men who devour the property of widows and for show offer long prayers. The more severe will be the sentence they receive.’
The New Jerusalem Bible: Reader’s Edition, (New York: Doubleday.) 1990.
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