Outlining--Dun! Dun! Dun!

*Cue horror movie music*

If you're like me, the mere word reminds you of grueling High School English classes, Roman numerals and ABC's. Ugh.

Thanks to Becca Fitzpatrick, author of Hush, Hush, I no longer fear the outline! And it even makes sense. Becca joined us for a chat at fallenarchangel.com and gave us poor newbie writers some invaluable info. What really stuck with me, was outlining.

I'm a plot pointer. I sit down with a pen and a notebook and I write down the important things I want to happen in my novel. I'll jot down a little note for each event and then I jump right in to the first draft and let my fingers fly. It works for me, but eventually I run into problems and I'm back to the notebook. Organization is a big help in writing a lengthy manuscript, and with the proper use of an outline, you can save yourself a lot of pen-dents on your fingers.

Becca's Outline Tips:

1.) The Bang! --An enticing moment that starts the story.

2.) The Turn Around--A turning point. Where the plot changes directions.

3.) Pitch Point--Key point that usually has something to do with subplot.

Ex. If your subplot is a love triangle/romance introduce the second guy/girl.

4.) Midpoint--Big moment that shifts the story to drive toward the climax. After the midpoint, you should be moving swiftly toward your climax.

Ex. from Hush, Hush: Nora and Patch are in a hotel room and Nora touches his scars.

5.) Pitch Point II--Again with the subplot, usually mirrors pitch point 1

Ex. if your MC thinks she can trust the second guy, she finds out she can't.

6.) Turn Around II--Final push that sends you in to your climax!

And then of course, be sure to have a nice closure. I hope my notes here will be of some use to you the next time you begin a fresh project.

If you have any outlining or plotting tips to share, we would LOVE to hear them!