A Process in Outlining and Actually Finishing My First Draft

Disclaimer: I am a shameless outliner as well as a shameless procrastinator. This often leads to me having an entire story written in outline form, while the first draft takes forever to finish.

    I'm about to chronicle one such misadventure. Please don't poke fun. (Or do. I don't actually mind.)

    So, without further ado, here's the story of The Conquest, and how I have totally NOT finished my first draft.

    It started November before last November. I was awake at about two a.m., lying in bed, when a thought came to me, (this thought isn't even valid to the novel now, but it was at that point,) "Hey, what if you had like five books... all of them from different points of view, beginning and ending at the same point in time and every single one ending in a cliffhanger? And then the LAST book, the sixth book, tied up all the loose ends and brought the final conclusion?"

    The next morning, I drew up a rough plan for a series.

    The Conquest was the first book of that series. I decided to start it the November of the next year, i.e., last November. I got to about 60k words, and pittered out. I lost my inspiration. I cooked all the fun out of writing and took a break.

    But today I got back to it, reopened all of the folders, the secret Pinterest boards, and the character profiles I have printed out and hidden under my bed. (Writing is the only part of my life that is organized, to tell you the truth.)

    So, since I opened the story back up, poked at my muse until inspiration stirred, and explored the story (again), I thought I'd blog about it.

    The Conquest is a historical, YA Romance with time travel in it, so it's kind of a fun story to tell. The main characters, Yule--a spunky, friendly Puritan, and Xander--a brilliant time traveler and inventor, are fun to write and I like them. The plot needs work, yes, but that's going to get more attention in draft number two.

    I did a lot of work in the outline. I have an entire binder full of scene outlines, ideas, and character pictures. It's extensive--superfluous, even. But it is kind of cool, so I'm going to show you.

[The title page of the binder. It was originally in a clear sheet on the front of smaller binder, but the pages got too bulky and I had to put it in a thicker one.]

[First page and the outline for the first scene, complete with inspiration scraps and post-its.]

[Outline for Scene 16, with a random scene excerpt fold-out.]

[Unplanned scene slip, and the scene outline for Scene 34.]

[The end of the scene outlines-- showing the envelope with all of my prompts and the beginning of the character pictures.]

[All of the prompts and the envelope close-up.]

[All of the character pictures. ^-^]

[A character drawing I did myself and a little paper. These, along with a few other random story things, are in a purple folder clipped into the back of the binder.]

You probably didn't care to see all of that, but I'm pretty proud of it and I am excited to be getting back into the story. I'll probably post excerpts and sample chapters of the story itself as I work on it. =)

I hope everyone is having a great month!

Happy writing and happy life,

~Alyssa

How to Write a Killer Death Scene

     I'm not going to lie; I've waited months to use that pun. And on top of that, I've been waiting months to write this blog post, because to be frank, life is hard and I don't always have the time, emotional endurance, or mental capacities to blog about squat. 

     Seriously. There are days that I couldn't journal the shelf life of canned peas without bursting into tears.

     Okay, so maybe that's a tad dramatic, but bear with me. The actual topic of this blog post is coming.

     Writing a death scene is a balancing act no matter what role your ill-fated character fills. There are so many things to consider!

     It's a haphazard hash of various details that will get your moment of sadness to where it needs to go. Here are some to think about before you write the scene or when you rewrite/edit it:

• Who needs to have an in in this scene? That one relative, friend, significant other? 
• Who needs to lack closure with the deceased character to further their character arc?
• What is the weather like?
• What is the character feeling as they die? Pain? Hunger? Nothing? Confusion?
• Are their thoughts running in orderly streams?
• Is there anyone crying over them? Pretending to care, even?
• What are the other characters feeling? Relief that they're going to a better place? Panic at the thought of losing their anchor? Sentiment over all of the stupid jokes they've shared past curfew?
• Who is your character thinking about? (Because when people are injured, or thinking even that they might die, their minds generally go to one person in particular. Be it their mom, their sibling, their friend, their spouse... something like that.)
• Is it clear to every other character involved that they are dying? Are they even sure that they're dying?

     Anyway. Once you go through those thoughts, get a grasp of what you're dealing with, it should get easier, right?

     Right. It should get significantly easier.

     The key to writing any emotional scene well is to be in tune with feeling. Know what feels good, know what hurts, know what makes you laugh or cry. Just be in the know, and you should totally have it in the bag. Once you get a feel for life, your emotions, the human mind, everything will be a total breeze. (Hm. That ended up being much more complicated and difficult than I intended for it to sound.)

     Here's another thing I like to consider when I write death scenes:

     As with most things, it shouldn't be purely anything. Gray area is the color in your story, and it's the same with death scenes. It can't be all sad and gloomy and dark. Give it a small flicker of light. A white butterfly fluttering through the blood-filled streets. The thought of a loved one's smile as every face they see is covered with pain. A simple, precious, innocently-uttered word of farewell and adoration as their own cries echo in their ears. 

      All it takes is one good thing among the pain to make it even more impacting. It's like adding a bit of salt to a cookie recipe--it makes the sugar taste that much sweeter. That tiny touch of warm happiness makes the end seem that much more sad.

     And that's all I have to impart to the lot of you! I know nothing beyond this: Write what you feel, and people will feel what you write.

     Burn so brightly that all close to you catch fire as well

     Passion is contagious. I pray that it's spreading quickly.

     ~ Alyssa

My Revision Process

     Hello, people! =) I'm here on the topic of revision and editing today!
     So, first things first: Revision and editing are time-consuming. And while that is a bit obvious, it isn't always perfectly clear why. But this is why.

Everyone revises and edits in a different way.

     When editing, you have to find your own groove! You have to find what works for you, and sometimes that takes a long time. (Who am I kidding, it always does.) So don't get overwhelmed by the prospect! =) View the process as one of discovery and not one of wandering into a danger-fraught unknown.
     With that said, I suppose I shall begin telling you what works for me. And who knows? Perhaps some of the things that I do will help you as well, and then you'll be that much closer to being comfortable with your revision and editing style.

1. Let the finished product age. Like expensive cheese, your book needs to sit for a while before it's ready. After you finish the first draft, it's a good idea to let it stay in a corner by itself for a couple of months. (I have found that, with myself, if I don't do this I grow to hate the story, and then my quality of writing goes down the drain faster than a greasy bobby pin.)
2. Set it in your head when you return to your book that you are there to tear the story limb-from-limb. You are not going over it to smooth its feathers. The first stage of revising generally is a hacking, messy business that involves lots of coffee and crying. (True story.)
3. Read the manuscript. Mmm. Yes. As a generally rule, after setting steps 1 and 2 into motion, I pick up the manuscript and read it. I read it slowly, and try to think about every sentence that I come across. If something that I read doesn't make sense, I'll write down a suggestion for rearranging it. Misspelled word? Formatting error? (OCD...) Yep. Write it down, and come back to it. You're in reader/editor mode, no need to stop to rewrite the thing.
4. Read it again. After reading it once and looking for things to fix and such, (and hopefully writing a list of plot changes to consider,) go back and read it again. And maybe ten more times after that. Keep suggesting changes on little things, keep finding misspelled words, inconsistencies, etc. 
5. Get down to business. Now! Dust off your keyboards and go back to fix all of the things that you've written down to change. Move paragraphs, cut chapters, kill characters... (That last one is optional.) And hopefully it will be as freeing an experience for you as it is for me. =)
6. Two words. Line edits. After getting all of the big changes done, go back and check the flow of all of your wording, consistency of detail, and consistency in the characters' personalities. Again, if you find something that you want to change, write it down for the next round.
7. Repeat steps 3-6 as many times as necessary. I usually go through that process about three or four times before I give it over to beta readers, and then they do the same thing. Read. Suggest edits. The only differences are, a) They have different brains and eyes than I do, and b) They're a lot more helpful to developing my story than I am. My thoughts down flow as clearly outside of prose. And those people are superheros with capes and red pens. Their suggestions are always helpful to me. =) So that leads us to the last step:
8. Fix it until it's as close to how you imagine it being as possible. Read your manuscript. Cry over your manuscript. Let other people read your manuscript. Repeat. (?)
9. Go write another story, and change the world. (Whoa. That escalated quickly.)

     Seriously, though, guys! =) Write stories. Be painfully honest with your writing. The raw thoughts of human beings are what change the way the rest of the world views existence.
     I hope that you've found this article helpful! =) And thank you so much, Katie, for suggesting the topic! =)

     Sometime else and somewhere else,
     ~Alyssa

CHRISTMAS

     I haven't blogged in a long while... a very long while. O.o Over a month.
     *steps away*
     I really don't know what brought on this reclusive behavior. *clears throat*
     *cough* Arrow. *cough* Hyouka *cough, cough* The Flash. *coughing intensifies*
     Okay. Maybe I have had several not-so-great reasons for staying off of this blog, but fear not! I will return, and hopefully I will have something to write about. And if I don't, I hope that I'll find someone to give me an idea. *hint hint* 
     But on the serious(er) side, I wish you all hope, love, and bright, beautiful time with your family that doesn't make you want to pull your hair out. (Not that I have any clue what that feels like. I mean, it's not like most of my male relatives treat me like a cute pet. *gags*)
     So, maybe I should give you all a survival tutorial, Charlie Brown style. ^-^

     1. Decorate. (It distracts certain people from commenting about how you need to pick a paying career instead of writing novels. True story.)

     2. Sing some songs. (It tends to make grumpy people happier, in turn making other people happier, until the whole group is a splendid beam of sunshine. ;D)

     3. Do your best, but don't stress out. (Nothing EVER goes exactly the way it's supposed to. It's just the way it is; unless you loosen up, (like Charlie Brown was forced to,) you won't get a chance to enjoy your time. Don't worry; be happy.)

     Well, I hope that you've enjoyed 'Adventures in Not-So-Insightful gif Tutorials,' and if you are reading this, suggest something for me to write about. =) (If you have any questions about writing, character development, world building, etc, shoot me a comment! =) If I don't know what I'm doing in the area that you ask about, I will research and write a blog post about it. It's as simple as that. Haha.)
     'Til later! ^-^

     ~Alyssa

The Master List of Character Questions

So… NaNo grows nearer, and the desperation in the air is almost tangible. (Not mine, but other peoples’ desperation.) ‘Cause you see, I have a handy-dandy character tool.

A list. But not just any list. It’s a long, thorough list of questions for your characters‒ranging from the basics details to questions concerning your character’s beliefs.

I, as a very detailed person, love this list. It’s part of the reason why my stories tick, since you can’t have a great character-driven story unless you know said characters. (Or I don’t think you can. You can complain below in the comments, if you so desire.)

(And random bit of info, for all of the people out there who like to know things: 203 questions are in this list.)

Basics

Full name:

Nickname:

Role in the story:

Age:

Gender:

Date of Birth:

Ethnicity:

Occupation:

Hair color/style:

Eye color:

Accent (if any):

Height:

Weight:

Tattoos:

Piercings:

Birthmarks:

Disfigurements:

Scars:

What does their voice sound like?

Personality and Quirks

Personality Overview:

MBTI personality type:

Fears:

What is their temper like?

What words or phrases do they use a lot?

Left or right handed?

How do they treat others?

What stresses them out?

How do they deal with stress?

What shocks them?

What scares them?

What is their sense of humor like?

What makes them laugh?

Are they spontaneous, or do they always need a plan?

What relaxes them?

Do they have any bad habits?

What are some of your character’s more notable merits and flaws (including physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, etc.)?

How did they develop?

How has this helped or hindered them in the past?

What about them is heroic?

One trait they admire?

What disturbs them?

Do they forget easily?

What three things might they consider themselves good at?

What three things might they consider themselves bad at?

Do they like themselves?

What three words would they think others would use to describe them?

What is the one thing others would remember them for if they died?

Do they care what others think of them?

Do they trust anyone to protect them?

How honest are they about their thoughts and feelings?

Life

Where do they live currently?

Describe their living space.

Why did they choose it, and how did they acquire it?

Who do they live with?

Where have they lived in the past?

What social class do they belong to?

Who is their closest friend, and why?

What do they like to do with this person?

Do they have any rivals?

Who and why?

Describe their morning routine on a typical day.

Who would they turn to in a desperate situation?

What are they allergic to?

Do they have any diseases?

Fashion Sense

How do they usually dress?

What do they wear to sleep?

Do they wear jewelry?

Is there anything about their appearance they wish they could change?

What do they smell like?

Why (do they wear the scent or does it occur naturally)?

Do they have an accurate mental picture of their appearance (how they see themselves versus how the world sees them)?

Likes and Dislikes

Favorite color:

Favorite books or Favorite music artists:

Favorite movies or TV shows:

Favorite authors:

Favorite Actors/actresses:

What are some of their pet peeves?

What sort of gifts do they like?

Most treasured possession?

What is their favorite time of day?

Favorite weather?

Season?

Where do they like to spend their time?

Favorite food?

Favorite drink?

Hot drinks, soft drinks, or alcohol?

Favorite animal?

Do they have any pets?

Do they want any?

What are some things that they don’t like? (least favourite food/drink, weather/season, etc)

What are some of your character’s hobbies?

What do they do with their time?

Economical factors, ie. job, money, etc.

Where did they learn their abilities?

If they have an income, where does it come from?

Do they have a job?

Do they like it?

How do they feel about their co-workers?

Why do they have their resources?

How long have they had them, and how have they served the character over time? (Ex. Contacts, money, political power, fame, etc.)

What sort of education have they had?

Do they want more?

What college did they go to/do they want to go to?

If applicable, what school are they doing right now?

Other

How are they with technology?

Are they specially qualified in any particular field?

Would they be considered at the top of the field?

Have they ever been publicly acknowledged for anything? (Ex. Nobel Prize)

Is there anything they’ve deliberately sought to improve at?

Do they speak more than one language?

Apples or oranges?

Coke or Pepsi?

Cats or dogs?

What do they have in their pockets at the moment?

How would they spend a typical Saturday night?

What would they do if they had insomnia and had to find some way to amuse themselves?

What is their philosophy of life?

How do they handle intruders?

What would they die for?

Do they have any prominent sensory associations? (Ex. the smell of their mother’s perfume, the sound of ice cracking under their feet as a child, etc.)

Past Related

Where were they born?

Are they adopted?

Legal guardian’s names:

Legal guardian’s occupations, marital status, and living status:

Childhood:

Adolescence:

Adulthood:

What is their family history like?

How does it affect them?

How do they feel about their family?

How does their family feel about them?

Describe their earliest memory.

What were they like as a child?

What was their favorite toy?

Favorite game?

Playmates?

What did they want to be when they grew up?

Describe their best memory.

Describe their worst memory.

Where did they grow up?

How did they view it as a child, and did that change as they matured?

How do they feel about the place now?

Do they, or have they in the past, had a mentor?

What was their relationship with this person, and how has it changed since then?

Who was their idol growing up?

Have they ever been betrayed?

By who, and how did it affect them?

Who was their first kiss with?

Have they ever been addicted to something harmful? (ex. drugs, alcohol, smoking, etc.)

What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to them?

When in their life have they been the most frightened?

Do they have a criminal record?

If there they could change one thing in their past, what would it be?

What is one thing in their past they’re ashamed of?

One thing they’re proud of?

Describe one fight they’ve had in the past (physical or otherwise).

Love

What are they attracted to in a partner?

If applicable, who is their current partner, and what attracted the character to them?

How did they meet?

How long have they been together?

What kind of a relationship is it?

Do they have any plans for the future?

What would be their perfect date?

Describe one of the character’s past relationships and what was significant about it.

Have they ever hurt someone they loved?

Do they fall in love easily?

Do they fall out of love easily?

Future

What are their dreams?

What do they want to do someday?

Are there places they want to go?

Where and why?

If these don’t apply already, do they want to get married?

Have kids?

Would they ever consider adopting a child?

Why or why not?

Who do they want to meet?

What would the character be like in their old age?

Morals and Beliefs

Political stance?

Are they active in politics or do they not care?

What is one thing they feel strongly about?

Do the ends justify the means in their eyes?

Are they a leader or a follower?

Why?

What do they feel responsible for? (Ex. I owe it to the world to do this.)

Do they believe that a person can redeem themselves from mistakes of the past?

How do they feel about death?

Have they been significantly affected by it?

Do they value faith over reason or vice versa?

Do they believe in an afterlife?

Do they have any habits that reflect their beliefs? (Ex. regular prayer, vegetarianism, etc.)

Do they respect the beliefs of others?

Would they be more likely to act for the good of one or the good of many?

Are they manipulative?

Is the character religious?

What are their views, and why or why not?

How would they like to die?

What would they die for?

Do they believe in true love/soul mates?

What are their views on things like homosexuality, premarital sex, and abortion?

What do they believe to be the most evil thing a person could do?

What do they believe makes a successful life?

Do they have any biases or prejudices?

Is there anything that they absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances?

Why do they refuse to do it?

So, my lovelies, that is my list. Use it, forget it, take it to the bank... though I seriously doubt that they would take it. Haha. Good luck! I hope this won't be my last post until NaNo, but who knows. We don't...er, I don't.

Have a wonderful evening, tell you family that you love them, and listen to "King and Lionheart" by Of Monsters and Men 10,000 times. ;)

~Alyssa