So, I finally got my scene outline finished for my current novel. I was having a hard time keeping track of it, so I finally got a big piece of paper and wrote in little blurbs a thumbnail of each scene. Next I’m going to draw a line that takes me through them in order (some are changing order.) I like to hold it in my hand and be able to see it all at a glance. Like a story map.
Once I’ve got it figured out in order, I’ll probably put each of those on a 3×5 card or a 4×6 card and write all the little points that need to be included in each scene, and I hope that will put me on track when I start the rewrite I’ll really know where I’m going. I still need to go through the cast of characters and make a Character Bible so I can keep them all consistent throughout. I’m glad I have a draft already so I can see how they sound and how they fit in–and change them as needed.
Meanwhile, I got an email from my husband. He’s on a business trip with his brother and they had to drive through Vegas. The email said, “I’m at the buffet at the Bellagio. The food is quite adequate.”
I’m sure. He’s eating breakfast at the Bellagio and I’m chewing on thumbnails.
Oh, and homemade wheat bread for which I ground the wheat. So delicious! Life at home isn’t actually that bad.
Ahhhh….I find your system comforting. While more and more, we depend on our computers for reading, writing, outlining, gathering information, and so on; I find that I have that strong visual and tactile need for paper. I will no longer resist that need and break out the 3 x 5 cards. Thanks, Jennifer!
Well, you’re welcome, Deb. I find that I can move them around on a cork board I bought at a yardsale really well with safety pins from the dollar store and I don’t have to spend anything on a fancy computer program–plus I get to have as you say, that tactile satisfaction. I still like holding a book in my hand too (even though I love my Kindle.) That hefting–I love it.