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Today is all about plotting my novel for The Three Day Novel Experiment. This time around, I’m going to use Elana Johnson’s How to Write a Synopsis post to focus on my plot outline AND my synopsis. Go on, read Elana’s post and tell me it can’t be done. I’ll wait.
Okay. What do you think? It makes sense, doesn’t it? And, yes, if the agony of writing a synopsis can be reduced, I’m all for it.
I need to get back to work, but before I go, I thought I’d share how I organize my manuscripts. Thanks to Scrivener, I can keep each manuscript and all the drafts/notes organized in ONE file.
Check out the sample screenshot:
If you look at the left of the photo, you can see the manuscript file looks like a Table of Contents. Isn’t it awesome? I like to keep my Title Page, Plot Outline, Synopsis, Query Letter, and Research Notes at the top. The chapters follow, each with versions of all my drafts. I can also add in a research page, notes page, etc, whatever I need to perfect each chapter. Every draft has its own plotting card (See Corkboard), so I can keep on track of what needs to happen in the story. Quick note: Most people use the files within each chapter to write each scene and the note cards are used accordingly. I just like to keep all my drafts with each chapter so files can be easily maneuvered, if needed. A new manuscript file is created once the final revision is done.
Another great thing–even though I say I don’t pay attention to word count, but really, who am I fooling–is that if you look at the bottom center of the photo above, the word count is there, a piece of the scenery. I don’t really notice the numbers, but if I want guidance to figure out if I need to add more to a chapter OR if I better find a good way to end the chapter AND fast, (ie: based on an average of 2,500 words per chapter) the word count is there, in a non-threatening manner.
Hopefully, this has been an interesting post to at least one person out there. Next time I write, I’ll be ready to undertake this Three Day Novel Experiment.
Anyone else in?
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Again, this idea is so intriguing to me! Logistically speaking, since you are “writermama” I’m assuming that means you have a family. Are you going into seculsion for three days? I can barely get my blog posts done during the day around here sometimes. I would be happy to crank my book out in three months…but still thinking about this three day challenge…hmmm…
Glad you’re intrigued by this idea, Amanda. BTW, I’m HipWriterMama. I recently discovered there’s a Writermama, and wanted you to know so there isn’t any confusion. 😉
Yes, I have a family. It’s hard to manage writing and family, isn’t it? I don’t have the luxury of seclusion for three days, though, what a treat that would be! Can you imagine?
This three day experiment is going to be done during a normal day. I’ll be writing a lot at night! I’m trying to see if I can get anywhere close to finishing a first draft and whether this process works for me. It’ll be interesting…