Anyone know standard outline format? |
Author: Kick TheNoob (---.socal.res.rr.com)
Date: 08-04-08 17:09
Anyone know if there's any general length or format for an outline for a fiction MS? Or even better, if anyone knows of a sample out there, that would really help. All the information I'm finding points me toward synopses.
Any relevant info would be greatly appreciated.
|
|
Re: Anyone know standard outline format? |
Author: Jean Bonifacio (---.dyn.grandenetworks.net)
Date: 08-04-08 17:17
This is what I know...stay tuned to see if I'm wrong...I'm sure it will come.
Your outline should be written in present-tense.You should keep each chapter's description to one or two sentences. It should be single-spaced, with an extra line between chapter descriptions. Chapter numbers and titles (don't know if you title your chapters) should be all UPPERCASE.
|
|
Re: Anyone know standard outline format? |
Author: Kick TheNoob (---.socal.res.rr.com)
Date: 08-04-08 17:26
Thanks Jean, this was exactly the type of nuts and bolts stuff i was looking for. Btw, if each of my chapters are divided into 2 character's povs, do you think i should add a space in between sentences when writing each one? (i hope that made sense)
|
|
Re: Anyone know standard outline format? |
Author: Jean Bonifacio (---.dyn.grandenetworks.net)
Date: 08-04-08 17:39
From what I was told...
Each chapter description of one or two sentences is supposed to have a major action for each chapter. I would keep the spaces to a minimum though. You'll probably already have explained that there are 2 POVS within your cover letter or your synopsis, so keep the chapter descriptions short and to the point. (I hope that made sense too)
|
|
Re: Anyone know standard outline format? |
Author: Kick TheNoob (---.socal.res.rr.com)
Date: 08-04-08 17:54
Yes it did. Definitely enough there for me to get started
Thanks Jean
|
|
Re: Anyone know standard outline format? |
Author: jayce (---.mob.bellsouth.net)
Date: 08-04-08 18:49
Why are writing an outline for a work of fiction? They are generally used in nonfiction proposals.
|
|
Re: Anyone know standard outline format? |
Author: Kick TheNoob (---.socal.res.rr.com)
Date: 08-04-08 18:59
Hey Jayce, long story short, i sent a query to an agent who replied back that he was no longer an agent but an editor for a publishing house then invited me to send him a few chapters and an outline.
You're definitely right about that, cause all the information i can find on outlines are on nonfiction proposals and none for fiction.
|
|
Re: Anyone know standard outline format? |
Author: Robert Brown (---.hsd1.in.comcast.net)
Date: 08-04-08 19:22
This person might have only dealt with non-fiction. If he/she has never handled fiction, he or she wouldn't know that the synopsis is used, most of the time in fiction. It never hurts to have a chapter by chapter outline laying around because of what a writer learns about his book when writing one.
A simple chapter by chapter outline is just that, an outline that follows the plot thread from chapter to chapter. The best way to write one is to ask yourself, what is going on it this chapter and write a short overview, usually a paragraph or two, on each chapter. If you have plenty of time, and most writers do because nothing happens in publishing that fast (unless you are a bumping deadline). From a good outline, you can actually write a really good synopsis and since it looks like you're going to have to write one (unless you ask this person if they want and outline or a synopsis) anyway.
However, back to the point of learning something about what you've written--this invariably happens because now you finally have a concise overview of what your book is about --that is if you're honest in writing your outline, that is.
|
|
Re: Anyone know standard outline format? |
Author: Kick TheNoob (---.socal.res.rr.com)
Date: 08-05-08 04:26
Thanks Robert for an insider's point of view
Sometimes a guy can go crazy trying to read all the nuances with this stuff and forget common sense. And thanks for that advice about simply asking myself, "What's going on in each chapter," that's become the rock I cling to every time I get the urge to get jiggy with things. I already have a synopsis but if doing an outline can help me create a better one then I'm all for giving it another go when i finish.
Back to work for me
|
|
Re: Anyone know standard outline format? |
Author: Cara K (---.hsd1.mn.comcast.net)
Date: 08-05-08 22:33
There's a helpful book which deals with chapter outlines, as well as many other features of submissions to agents. It's called Manuscript Submission, by Scott Edelstein. I've had this book for about twenty years--give or take--so it's not recent, but it is informative. It has come in handy for me more times than I can remember.
--Cara K
|
|
Sorry. You need to Join WritersNet and activate your account to post a message.
It's quick, easy and free. All we need is a valid email address and the name you wish to use here .
|
|
