Traditionally, I am a pantster. I take some peeks into character development, but my plot usually has a mind of it's own. I'm looking today to try some plot development now.
First, the characters. I've come up with 3 that I like right now:
1. The Paranoid Grandmother: Elisa
2. The ADHD afflicted preteen: Aaron
3. The young (college aged) male nurse: Joe
In these three characters I see some of my most beloved story characteristics come to life. I love cranky/quirky old people. I love unpredictable friends. I also love changing perspectives in a book which is how I will write.
So... As I began this outline I got 2 words in and got stuck. But instead of giving up and pantsing it as I have done in the past, I Googled my problem! Isn't it wonderful that we can actually use a tool like that. In any case I found this awesome forum here: Nanowrimo.org that showed a very loose version of an outline. I'm using that to build mine!
Title: I Thought I Saw
1. Intro Normal Life - Who are the Main Characters, set setting:
2. I know what I want - What do they want in life, goal, dream.
3. I'm getting what I want - What's their plan, how's it happening right now?
4. Inciting Incident - Their plan is ruined by something outside of their control
5. I'm not getting what I want - They take in what's happened, reacting emotionally.
6. Why did this happen? - They examine their process and consider how to get back up.
7. Enter Exotic World - Because of whatever happened in 4, they are thrown into an exotic world.
8. I wanna go home - They are in shock, wanting or trying to get back to the old world.
9. I can't go home - They come to the conclusion that they can't go back, and look around.
10. Woah - Wait - They become distracted by the new surroundings, then remember their goal.
11. Enemy Enter - They discover the new antagonist, that will keep them from their goal here.
12. What now - Depressed about enemy, personal goal, but wondering what to do.
13. This May Work - They explore, make friends, maybe unwillingly. Consider options for goal.
14. This isn't so bad - They've accepted the new world.
15. Enemy Strikes - The enemy threatens their new world.
16. Main Character Fights - The recovery and Main Character decides they won't stand for this.
17. Who's With Me - Main and supporting characters, band together to take a stand.
18. Gear up - They plan and prepare, for journey/battle/some stand, considering what they know.
19. On the Road - They push through, band together, solve problems, put aside differences.
20. Enemy Plays - The enemy plays at their weak points, threatening their bond and stand.
21. We can do this - They come through, feeling beaten, but band together and agree to push.
22. Push - They push themselves to the best they can be and continue on toward the final.
23. The enemy's lair - They arrive at the enemy's front yard, planning, training, observing.
24. Crisis - They move their plans to action and things don't go as planned. Their lowest point.
25. What went wrong - Main Character considers their fault, discovering it was their first problem.
26. Can't give up - They make their plan for their final ditch-effort to take down the enemy.
27. Climax - They put this final plan into action, it seems to be going well.
28. We can do this - They in almost shock at their success continue pushing through in a daze.
29. Victory - They defeat, save, and/or reach their final goal, being victorious. Notable lesson.
30. Resolution - Wrap up the lose ends - go home/ review lesson learned/ reconcile relationships.
First, the characters. I've come up with 3 that I like right now:
1. The Paranoid Grandmother: Elisa
2. The ADHD afflicted preteen: Aaron
3. The young (college aged) male nurse: Joe
In these three characters I see some of my most beloved story characteristics come to life. I love cranky/quirky old people. I love unpredictable friends. I also love changing perspectives in a book which is how I will write.
So... As I began this outline I got 2 words in and got stuck. But instead of giving up and pantsing it as I have done in the past, I Googled my problem! Isn't it wonderful that we can actually use a tool like that. In any case I found this awesome forum here: Nanowrimo.org that showed a very loose version of an outline. I'm using that to build mine!
Title: I Thought I Saw
1. Intro Normal Life - Who are the Main Characters, set setting:
- Elisa's Perspective
- Introduce neighbor Aaron and Nurse Joe
- Set setting in Elisa's home
2. I know what I want - What do they want in life, goal, dream.
- Aaron's perspective
- looking for a friend
- looking for happiness
3. I'm getting what I want - What's their plan, how's it happening right now?
- Joe's perspective
- looking for purpose in life
- looking for friends and happiness
- sad and lonely - not achieving goal
4. Inciting Incident - Their plan is ruined by something outside of their control
- Elisa's Perspective
- Introduce paranoia - the media is sabotaging her
- Aaron is in danger because of technology
- Elisa destroy (cell phone/ lap top/ or tv?)
5. I'm not getting what I want - They take in what's happened, reacting emotionally.
- Aaron's perspective
- feelings of pity and betrayal
- alone and empty again.
6. Why did this happen? - They examine their process and consider how to get back up.
- Joe's perspective
- Why is Elisa paranoid
- Are her worries founded?
7. Enter Exotic World - Because of whatever happened in 4, they are thrown into an exotic world.
- Elisa's perspective
- Gained enthusiasm because of Joe and Aaron
- Her paranoid claims are true!
8. I wanna go home - They are in shock, wanting or trying to get back to the old world.
- Aaron's perspective
- She wants to go back to the ignorance
- She doubts Elisa again.
9. I can't go home - They come to the conclusion that they can't go back, and look around.
- Joe's perspective
- Joe tries to escape Elisa's paranoia
- Can't escape because he knows it is true.
10. Woah - Wait - They become distracted by the new surroundings, then remember their goal.
- Elisa's perspective
- Elisa becomes distracted by the paranoia
- Loses Joe and Aaron's trust.
- In the loneliness, she remembers her true desire to have a friend.
11. Enemy Enter - They discover the new antagonist, that will keep them from their goal here.
- Aaron's perspective
- Distrustful of Elisa
- Meets the evil of Elisa's paranoia
12. What now - Depressed about enemy, personal goal, but wondering what to do.
- Joe's perspective
- conflicted about Elisa's paranoia and Aaron's need for friendship
- Attacked by enemy, he sides to protect the girls
13. This May Work - They explore, make friends, maybe unwillingly. Consider options for goal.
- Elisa's perspective
- Align to defeat the evil of her paranoia
14. This isn't so bad - They've accepted the new world.
- Aaron's perspective
- resigned to oversee Elisa's paranoia and befriend her.
15. Enemy Strikes - The enemy threatens their new world.
- Joe's perspective
- The reason for Elisa's paranoia attacks Elisa
16. Main Character Fights - The recovery and Main Character decides they won't stand for this.
- Elisa's perspective
- Kidnapped by her paranoia, Elisa finds hope in the thought of her friends.
- Decides she will not stand for this.
17. Who's With Me - Main and supporting characters, band together to take a stand.
- Aaron's perspective
- Pleads Joe to save Elisa
18. Gear up - They plan and prepare, for journey/battle/some stand, considering what they know.
- Joe's perspective
- Deciphers where Elisa is and who has caused her paranoia
19. On the Road - They push through, band together, solve problems, put aside differences.
- Elisa's perspective
- Joe and Aaron find Elisa.
- All are reunited
- All are captured by the villian
20. Enemy Plays - The enemy plays at their weak points, threatening their bond and stand.
- Aaron's perspective
- Memory foggy
- Returned home
21. We can do this - They come through, feeling beaten, but band together and agree to push.
- Joe's perspective
- Regains memory and determination
22. Push - They push themselves to the best they can be and continue on toward the final.
- Elisa's perspective
- Reunited for the purpose of taking down the villian
23. The enemy's lair - They arrive at the enemy's front yard, planning, training, observing.
- Aaron's perspective
- They develop a plan
24. Crisis - They move their plans to action and things don't go as planned. Their lowest point.
- Joe's perspective
- Plan fails when they realize that Elisa played a part in uniting with the villian
25. What went wrong - Main Character considers their fault, discovering it was their first problem.
- Elisa's perspective
- Despaired about her previous misgivings
26. Can't give up - They make their plan for their final ditch-effort to take down the enemy.
- Aaron's perspective
- Forgives Elisa, pushes for a final attack on villian
27. Climax - They put this final plan into action, it seems to be going well.
- Joe's perspective
- Set attack and begin to reveal the villian
28. We can do this - They in almost shock at their success continue pushing through in a daze.
- Elisa's perspective
- Hope at winning and defeating her paranoia
29. Victory - They defeat, save, and/or reach their final goal, being victorious. Notable lesson.
- Aaron's perspective
- Success.
- Achieved goal of friendship
- Achieved goal of helping Elisa
30. Resolution - Wrap up the lose ends - go home/ review lesson learned/ reconcile relationships.
- Third person perspective
- Elisa, Aaron & Joe stay friends as they go through further life changes.
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