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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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