I'm currently writing a very long novel for which I outlined every single chapter (with over 4 pages per chapter summaries) and let me tell you it has been the BEST decision ever. Super helpful, super intuitive and really helps you get the overall mood of that piece of the story even a year after you wrote it down
Out of curiosity, may I ask when your inciting incident shows up? Mine is currently at page 120… 😁 While that is technically the 12% mark, if the book ends up being 1000 pages long, it’s probably still too late. The thing is, I have a rather unfamiliar setting that I need to familiarise the reader with first. There’s little impact in pushing a character out of their comfort zone, before the reader has really understood what the status quo in this setting, i.e., the character’s comfort zone, actually is.
@@cosmicprison9819 Well, having in mind what you just told me about your story, I think mine's not going to help you a lot...😔 In my story the inciting incident shows up during the first three chapters. The 'thing' that motivates that ''character's-pushed-outside-their-comfort-zone" is introduced since the very first word of my novel, but I think you could consider the big action to happen on page ~45, at the very end of chapter 3! Hope that helped!
@@iamluyu Yeah, my brother also suggested to have it happen around page 50, irrespective of the total book length. (For example, in Harry Potter, the inciting incident is on page 50, even though the first book is only about 300 pages long; so percentage-wise, that’s actually pretty late.) I’ve already been looking which chapters from in between I could move to after the inciting incident. But the reader might not know the full extent of the impact of the inciting incident in that case. My inciting incident is a significant change to the legal situation in the society I’m writing about, so I need some time to establish the status quo before that - specifically, how that status quo affects the main characters. If the legal change comes too early, the reader will simply perceive the post-change situation as the “status quo”, even though it’s actually quite a bit of upheaval.
i should try this outline method bc I never get to the outlining I always get the idea, pants it, then drop it once I hit a wall. Having an outline that fills you in on what's going on is like a map, leading the way so you don't get lost. Maybe this time I'll be able to write the dang thing XD
@@noctemys Definitely, it really helps to have an outline and a structure to cling to. Being a pantser myself and having abandoned every story I've ever written, it saved me this time. Although I began preparing for NaNoWriMo pretty late and I do not have a completely clear idea of what my story is gonna be, after two days I'm already more into this one than into any other story I've ever written 😅
I've been working on a story idea. Plotted it out, fleshed out characters, took notes, printed things I needed, and typed a chapter by chapter outline to follow. I made my novel roadmap PERFECT. Then decided I hate the characters and their story and everything about them and the world I created for them to live in lol. So, back to the drawing board and I'll keep this story idea and notes for another day ! :D
exactly, don't take this advice. Literally just start writing for fun whatever comes to mind, whatever inspires you in the moment. You're gonna have a set of characters and a theme in an instant, and AFTER that exercise, you can go and make a rough outline. All this preparation is just excuses for perfectionism and procrastination. Writing should be fun
@@ArchiduquesaMA I think it depends on what type of writer you are. I'm an intuitive plotter, so while I don't like looking at things like save the cat, I still need to outline for my process. Maybe you are more of a pantser, and you need to write through the book before making an outline. It just depends on your writing style. And yes, writing should be fun :)
I should have added that this is not my first rodeo lol. I like the method in the video quite a bit because I am a pantser, but sometimes I need a nudge and for a writer who is dealing with burnout, sometimes the best way to keep writing is to change your method for a little while. Even if it's not a permanent change, it can really help out!
@@kellyshrewsbury Something I've realised watching the previous video I think it was the character profile one. That I can actually do a rough sketch of what I think will happen in my novel like doing an outline, character profiles etc. I can do changes as the story grows although I'm a panster I can do a bit of both. Trying new methods helps a lot!
Abbie, you have read my mind!! I absolutely love your videos. I'm a young, homeschooled writer and you have taught me everything I know, thank you so, so much for being an inspiration to us all😊
Funny thing is, my story is coming together by writing character profiles. 😅 it's let me figure out where they fit in everything and what they do in it and keep my cast fairly small. It also helps me figure out how the story will go as well as plan out the prequel.
Okay, so I wanted to share with you all that Reedsy book editer recently added an outlining tool that works pretty much exactly how the feature of Scrivener Abbie was using does. Of course, Reedsy doesn't have nearly as many features, but I've been working in Evernote for notes or longer documents and Reedsy for my actual chapter-by-chapter outline.
Been chipping away at the novel of my dreams for 2 years now and decided I needed to take a step back and look at the big picture. This video helped alot!
Ahhh I needed this so much!! Thank you Abbie!!! ❤❤❤ I'm also homeschooled. Since I was eleven I started writing and ever since I found you my passion for writing turned into way more! I'm 16 now and you have always been the hugest inspiration! Love you to bits and all your books!!! 💖
Wow, I’m 16 years old now too and I have been interested in writing since… a long time, but that interest manifested itself in a different manner as a kid. It developed from imagining these fantasy stories with my brother and my friends to the idea I might want to actually do something with writing myself. That later formed into imagining coherent concepts for stories, with themes, characters and other storytelling aspects in mind. I have only known Abbie’s channel for half a year or so, but she’s already been so helpful (and she’s also iconic already, with her constantly repeating phrases about desire, fear and misbelief and such :)).
@@jarmoliebrand2005 and Zene Bornman I'm 14 and home schooled and have been interested in writing since I was...like five something something lol. I started writing when I was ten with little bits and pieces of novels, just random ideas that popped into my head that somehow turned into these long scenes... I just found Abbie's channel a few weeks and it all started coming together. Now I have a basic outline for a trilogy and and beginning the first book. Its amazing how Abbie's videos turned a 14year old with random ideas into someone with an actual novel outline and the ability to complete the book. Good luck to both of you with your writing.
Heh i fit the gap... I am 15 and homeschooling. This is so perfect! Haha. I have so many ideas and abby has given amazing tips from experience to help me put them on paper!
I've watched a handful of your videos over the past week and you've been 1000x more helpful than any of the books I've read on writing, and that includes some written by rather notable best selling authors. Thanks so much.
Seeing all this outlining videos are scaring me. I’ve been more focused on finishing the story I’m nearly done with and haven’t been outlining much for next month (thankfully it’s fanfiction, unfortunately, it’s so all over the place with different POVs that I can’t classically outline it (using 3 act story structure)). Thank you for the videos on writing. It’s going to be the only thing keeping me sane this (and next) month.
I'm also writing fanfiction and although i have a general outline of how the story goes it's still messy. I still need to improve my vocabulary as well, that's one of the things I struggle i know what to put in that scene i just can't write or i have a hard time describing it, i am still learning though 🥲
@@amateurbarnaby But hey, it’s lower stakes with fanfiction. You writing it for yourself only or are you posting it anywhere? I’m trying to outline it now, but I’m using the full (or most) of the 3 act structure for each chapter (which is a new POV and mini arc). It’s going to be so cram packed with inner conflict and chaos while also being so all over the place when I write it… nonetheless, I’m rather excited for it. Good luck with your story! The vocab and writing quality improves as you write and read, I’ve found.
@@taytaythehufflepuff8532 true. I have some original stories in mind but i am starting with fanfiction not to mention i am really obsessed with this show so it helps a lot in writing the fanfic. I am thinking of posting it on Wattpad but for now I am writing it for myself, maybe if i wrote around 15 chapters maybe i'll post it. Honestly, though my mind is filled with so many scenes that i just want to write so i am also excited for this. Good Luck to the both of us in our stories! and hey maybe if you finished and post your story maybe you can share it. I would love to read it 💖.
Abbie, you are the best teacher when it comes to teach people how to write. Thank you so much. I've learnt a lot from you and still. Really thank you 🌹🌹🌹
Yess! Just got into a stupid argument on youtube with someone and got called a LOT of names, trust me. Your video gave me a sense of calm and positive thoughts. I always tune into your podcast when I want to calm myself down. Thanks a lot, Abbie. And Kate, thank you too!
Omg. No joke, your chapter-by-chapter outline method with the notecards just got me unstuck on my novel. By copying my messy bullet notes into the notes bar and just sorting into chapters, it made me realize I have most of it there written down already, I just needed to see it spread out like this. It seems so simple and basic, but everything is so much clearer now. Thank you!!
Thanks Abbie. I was lost halfway while writing my novel after 50 thousand words, I felt like nothing is working and I started writing my first chapter over and over again for 40 days and then I saw your video. Believe me when you said keep swimming even if everything felt like crap it helped me breaking the loop. Listening to you I added a new chapter after 40 days. Thanks and love from India
Scrivener is great for doing essays with strict word counts too! Makes it much easier to face writing when each section of the essay is separate and you can move it about
I've been struggling to outline my story ideas and this has really helped me to finally create one! Thank you for making it easy to follow and understand!
"... so that you can spend less time overthinking and more time writing with confidence." I needed this SO MUCH! That part got me with the chills. Thanks a bunch, Abbie! You're a life saver for every beginner author
I tend to use yWriter to keep track of all the pieces of my story. It has everything to keep consistent in a story or even a series. It's stored all my bits and pieces no matter where I'm at... I also add any changes to it I make to keep things straight. I usually start on a notepad/word combo that works well for me to just pour everything out.
A good (and free) alternative to scrivener is yWriter. It also let's you divide everything in chapters and scenes, has a time line feature with different Povs, has character files and other cool stuff. For all my fellow poor students out there
I was literally trying to write the main events in a few words in a list to be sure i don't miss anything I'm happy you mentioned simplify, because at some point i started writing a lot, i had a ton of fun, then i thought i should search for advice and tips online and it was so much information that it made me get an artist block and i started procrastinating and barely wrote anymore Now I'm trying to get back into that fun time of just writing and being excited about it again, without completely lacking a structure and vital info
Hi, Abbie! This is super helpful. Yesterday, I finished the main outline for my fantasy trilogy that i have been outlining for 2 years. You have helped me so much, and I just wanted to tell you how awesome and helpful you have been through these years.
Omg is this what they mean by destined to happen? I feel shook because I had been looking over your playlist because I have been suffering not knowing how to write my chapters into story from a plot outline!!?!?! ABBIE YOU ARE OUR SAVIOR!!!!!
Thank you so much for this! This is exactly what I needed, I was just struggling along trying to make a chapter by chapter outline of my novel when I saw this in my notifications-You're a life saver, Thank you!
It’s feels awesome and comforting knowing that we both start out writing our story ideas in similar ways, in a kind of messy, fan-girly way. And never forgot to emphasize the important parts/feelings of the story 😂 Edit: Omg, the more I read this, the more I’m realizing we write our brain dumps similar. Like we def don’t format the same way, which is completely understandable, but the lols you put in and personal flairs are so relatable. I was honestly really worried that it had to be professional, but seeing yours makes me want to get through my creative writing slum really bad. Omg, the “omg it’s too cozy, stop” is killing me 😭😭😭 We are such fan girls, it’s insane. The only thing I wish worked but doesn’t, is that your outline doesn’t fully fit for the format of the types of stories I want to make, but ugh, I feel like we would be such good friends irl.
Is there a video that explains the terms: Pinch point, story beat, etc.? I'm in my early 70s and after years of collecting story ideas, etc., I'm finally at the point where I want to start writing my first book. Sometimes I think it would be better to just jump in and start writing, but I realize that I need some organized system to help me get going. I'm so glad I discovered Abbie's videos; they break Scrivener down into understandable parts, and after trying out other writing software, I've decided that Scrivener is way I want to go.
Hi community, this is my first time planning to writing my very own first novel. Writing is joy and peace for me at the same time. I am scrolling through Abbie’s video and I’m so grateful she’s here to help us out ❤️ I have only written about 9000 words and it’s a draft I guess, bullet points, actual conversations and descriptions 🙈 So, at this point it’s not really clear how to go from there and with this right now, I’m not even half way through my novel plan. I’m still in the first quarter. Help?!
Thanks Abbie. I was lost halfway while writing my novel after 50 thousand words, I felt like nothing is working and I started writing my first chapter over and over again for 40 days and then I saw your video. Believe me when you said keep swimming even if everything felt like crap it helped me breaking the loop. Listening to you I added a new chapter after 40 days. Thanks and love from India
I like to make plot lines when outlining. It makes all your plot points clear, and you know what each of them are without having to scroll through an outline.
This is amazing Abbie! As a Scrivener user I never thought I could use the corkboard as index cards, so useful. Also thank you so much for this overview of your process, it helps me so much on planning my story. I have always had problems with outlining, but with your videos I feel it doesn't have to be has daunting as I make it. Thank you for the amazing content!
I am so glad that i found your videos. I have been doing my outlines and it seems to be helping so much on stories that i have been working on for years with no progress. This is helping me get out of that rut
Abbie im so happy ur sharing your own personal story with us and you have idea how much helpful it is in understanding how to outline a chapter by chapter draft using the 3 act structure...keep it up❤
I’m trying to write down a story that I’ve been writing in my head for years into a cohesive something . I’m finally confident enough in my characters and story to actually try writing it. This story is super important to me because the mental writing of it has gotten me through so much crazy life stuff. I’m so happy I found your videos! Even though I’m probably going to go the comic route your videos have been so helpful when it comes to organizing the jumbled mess of scenes and story in my head. So thank you!!! ❤
just in case you can't get scrivener you can make those section and subsections on Microsoft OneNote too as a last resort. pretty easy to use, I have three main sections : scenes ( that I can move to the main manuscript ) then there's manuscript and outline section with character plot and chapter outlines.
I just would like to say that I have just found your videos and channel a few days ago as I have been struggling trying to stay focused and organized. Wow is all I have to say I have been able to organize my story so well with your tips within Scrivener that I feel like I can actually think without it all being jumbled up and in different places. Thank you and I continue to look forward to new videos while going back to watch your previous ones too!!
Hi Abbie! I haven't yet watched the vid but I feel like this needs to be said. *Stands up and slowly claps* Well done. And thank you. If you're confused, I have literally just (like 4 seconds ago) finished reading 100 days of sunlight. I am blown away with your amazing story, as well as inspiration for my own books! I'll admit I had a bit of a negative view on the whole switching pov every chapter, but you proved me wrong and showed me this was _extactly_ what my story needs. (My current WIP book is a bit similar in plot, but it's set in a fairy world, focuses on death/loss, and the roles are reversed) Amazingly, I didn't get bored during the middle as I do with most contemporary books I read. Also, a romance that isn't cheesy/insta love?! *(dramatically falls on bed)* It's perfect. I so very rarely read contemporary, and this was a great genre change for me. Now I want to read more lol. *(glances at the Christmas book)* Oh yeah, I'm coming for you next. Thank you so much Abbie! 💕 ❤ Also the cover makes so much more sense now. I love it!
And, yet again, I am stunned by your content, Abbie! Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom. I am saving documents, making notes and learning loads from your channel! I am yet to see if I am a Pantser or a Plotter though. So, come this Oct i am going to prep for Nov, and then when Nov comes. I am going to see if i can write two books!🎉🎉 One, using the Plotters techniques, and the other, just flowing. I will be using your techniques and documents in Oct! Once again, thank you for all your help
The outline I did was more akin to the Freytag pyramid of what happens in and between each of the main sections. Now I’m figuring out how to break that into chapters.
I write the plot point at the top of the scene card, but then break it down further into “goal”, “conflict”, “proaction”, “consequence”. To remind myself of the momentum I need within every given scene.
if for whatever reason scrivener doesn’t work for you, i recommend notion!!! it’s free and highly customizable and organizable, and you can use it for a lot more than story writing
Your videos are so inspiring! I used to be a prancer with my writing, but I've wanted to become more of a plotter. Your videos have been a fantastic source of information and have really helped me learn more about the stories I'm trying to tell.
This was very helpful, I am glad I found your channel, your recommendation for using scrivener was a wonderful recommendation. I have been using it for over a year now. Wish the best for you
Thank you so much for this refresher! I've recently started using Scrivener for my own projects and also for my clients projects as well. Super helpful.
I'm rather excited to be the first view and like in the video, joining at 15 seconds. Thank you very much for your tips, they are most useful since I'm stuck wishing to write a book, and your videos are helpful to a level beyond comprehension. Also: Long Live Scrivener!
I need this for my debut novel. I generally don't plan out my chapters but for most of my fanfics I just write a short summary and go from there. Some others I do the bullets point.
I have many different concepts for stories, I don’t think I lack inspiration. I need to outline the ideas I have, to make them more and more cohesive. Others have said it already, but I’m going to say it too: Great timing.
One of the things I’ve found helpful is the split screen option in Scrivener. So I can have the documents where I’ve been noting right next to my scene cards as I scribble them.
(Tw for later in the comment) I love these videos! At this point in time me and my friend have been assigned to write a 20 chapter novel and we have chapters planned up until chapter 8, let me explain our problem. Writers Block. I’ll tell you the plot. There’s this girl Avery, one day after cleaning out her grandma’s apartment she finds a journal, she later finds out this journal writes everything that is happening at the exact second but not in the future, meaning that the pages towards the end are blank. One day after her best friend is over the book goes missing, the next day at school she goes through Riley’s (the best friend) bag. She finds the book, that night she flicks to the end and realised that it had a date written down and below that it said *died* she then starts to freak and worry. Then her and Riley get into a fight, but in a couple days she is meant to die. That day rolls around and she doesn’t die, but you know who did die, RILEY! So then Avery gets all upset as the last thing she said was ‘I hate you’. And so Avery tries to jump of a bridge but someone stops her/the water was running so it didn’t break her fall. We have absolutely no idea what to do from there! DO YOUR THING TH-cam! GIVE ME IDEASSSSSSS
First of all: That sounds AMAZING! But I do have some questions if you don't mind answering. Was there a specific thing written that indicated that the one meant to die was Avery? Why did Riley steal the book? Did she know about it's special power? Did she know a way to save Avery from her written fate by taking her place instead? All in all, as I said this is a great idea/plot and I believe you will be able to succeed in fleshing it out completely! You both sound like people with great imagination and creativity!! Good luck on your assignment!
I love this idea! It reminds me a lot of the movie Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (which is a compliment because I love that movie!). The commenter above does ask some good questions to think about if you haven't already :) My favorite piece of advice to give is to not be scared to really put your characters through the wringer. Make them fight for their lives. Give them their solution, and then put every force you can into stopping them. I wish you both the best on your assignment!! :)
I’m writing a comic and I follow Abbie for writing advice. Aside from her videos on how to write prose, the principles of writing can be applied universally to any medium of writing. With a comic, because it’s visual, you can do a lot of different types of foreshadowing and symbolism you wouldn’t be able to do in a prose novel. Just make sure you also look up writing/drawing advice specifically for comics as well, because depending on the type of comic you plan to draw, and how long, you might just have to apply the principles a bit differently.
I’ve come to discover that outlines are drafts, too. I can plan out the character arc for a given character pretty quickly - but then might find out while writing that, say, this character’s original fear and/or misbelief doesn’t work. Or that there are *other forms of internal conflict than desire vs. fear.* The latter is something that Abbie should address, since the focus on “desire vs. fear” she has been pushing thus far is rather restrictive.
Hi Abbie, Can u please make a video for people who have Google docs about how to write a chapter by chapter outline using the doc even though u don't use it for your books. Also if I don't have a patron or any other kind of social media how else can I join the Live Training if I don't have any social media or patron, stay 1 on 1 with you and get better advice on my story? Thanks for your advice it has changed both my life and my character's lives! #AskAbbie!
I’m loving your videos! I finally sent off a manuscript to a couple alpha readers for the first time after so many half-finished attempts. What if you’re heading into NaNoWriMo with a really vague idea of an outline? I feel like I know my characters by now (I’m planning to draft the second, somewhat standalone, book in a series). But the plot points just aren’t coming into focus for me. Where do I go from there?? Start over with a new idea entirely, keep brainstorming different scenarios right up until the day? I feel like I get stuck in the “what happens next” phase more often than not while I’m in the middle of writing. It’s hard to flesh that out up front for me and then it’s been 5 (or more) years before I finally have a rough draft.
As someone who's writing a Light Novel with volumes, the chapter-by-chapter is the best outline ever. It's not easy to write 50k for like 5 books. I also need a 3 act structure for the whole series and for each book... I don't even want to think about the illustrations 😂
I Just need to bee honest here, I couldn't focus on the first part of the video bc I was pausing the hole time to read the brain dumb (🤭) and aaaaaah how cute was that 😍😍😍 I can't!!! that story seems soooooo adorable 😍 just with that brain dump I was so in love with the characters aaaaaah 😍😍😍😍😍😍 sorry, just needed to take that of my heart 🤭🤭 ok, now I can get back to the video hehehe Love your videos by the way! Thank you so much for them ❤️
Thank you so much for laying everything out like this.🥰. It helps tremendously both for helping me visualize the planning process as well as using Scrivner to its full potential (which is a major work-in-progress 😵💫)
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I'm currently writing a very long novel for which I outlined every single chapter (with over 4 pages per chapter summaries) and let me tell you it has been the BEST decision ever. Super helpful, super intuitive and really helps you get the overall mood of that piece of the story even a year after you wrote it down
Out of curiosity, may I ask when your inciting incident shows up? Mine is currently at page 120… 😁 While that is technically the 12% mark, if the book ends up being 1000 pages long, it’s probably still too late.
The thing is, I have a rather unfamiliar setting that I need to familiarise the reader with first. There’s little impact in pushing a character out of their comfort zone, before the reader has really understood what the status quo in this setting, i.e., the character’s comfort zone, actually is.
@@cosmicprison9819 Well, having in mind what you just told me about your story, I think mine's not going to help you a lot...😔 In my story the inciting incident shows up during the first three chapters. The 'thing' that motivates that ''character's-pushed-outside-their-comfort-zone" is introduced since the very first word of my novel, but I think you could consider the big action to happen on page ~45, at the very end of chapter 3!
Hope that helped!
@@iamluyu Yeah, my brother also suggested to have it happen around page 50, irrespective of the total book length. (For example, in Harry Potter, the inciting incident is on page 50, even though the first book is only about 300 pages long; so percentage-wise, that’s actually pretty late.) I’ve already been looking which chapters from in between I could move to after the inciting incident. But the reader might not know the full extent of the impact of the inciting incident in that case.
My inciting incident is a significant change to the legal situation in the society I’m writing about, so I need some time to establish the status quo before that - specifically, how that status quo affects the main characters. If the legal change comes too early, the reader will simply perceive the post-change situation as the “status quo”, even though it’s actually quite a bit of upheaval.
i should try this outline method bc I never get to the outlining I always get the idea, pants it, then drop it once I hit a wall. Having an outline that fills you in on what's going on is like a map, leading the way so you don't get lost. Maybe this time I'll be able to write the dang thing XD
@@noctemys Definitely, it really helps to have an outline and a structure to cling to. Being a pantser myself and having abandoned every story I've ever written, it saved me this time. Although I began preparing for NaNoWriMo pretty late and I do not have a completely clear idea of what my story is gonna be, after two days I'm already more into this one than into any other story I've ever written 😅
I've been working on a story idea. Plotted it out, fleshed out characters, took notes, printed things I needed, and typed a chapter by chapter outline to follow. I made my novel roadmap PERFECT. Then decided I hate the characters and their story and everything about them and the world I created for them to live in lol. So, back to the drawing board and I'll keep this story idea and notes for another day ! :D
exactly, don't take this advice. Literally just start writing for fun whatever comes to mind, whatever inspires you in the moment. You're gonna have a set of characters and a theme in an instant, and AFTER that exercise, you can go and make a rough outline. All this preparation is just excuses for perfectionism and procrastination. Writing should be fun
@@ArchiduquesaMA I think it depends on what type of writer you are. I'm an intuitive plotter, so while I don't like looking at things like save the cat, I still need to outline for my process. Maybe you are more of a pantser, and you need to write through the book before making an outline. It just depends on your writing style. And yes, writing should be fun :)
I used to outline but kept coming up with new ideas as I went along and rarely stuck with it.
I should have added that this is not my first rodeo lol. I like the method in the video quite a bit because I am a pantser, but sometimes I need a nudge and for a writer who is dealing with burnout, sometimes the best way to keep writing is to change your method for a little while. Even if it's not a permanent change, it can really help out!
@@kellyshrewsbury Something I've realised watching the previous video I think it was the character profile one. That I can actually do a rough sketch of what I think will happen in my novel like doing an outline, character profiles etc. I can do changes as the story grows although I'm a panster I can do a bit of both. Trying new methods helps a lot!
Abbie, you have read my mind!! I absolutely love your videos. I'm a young, homeschooled writer and you have taught me everything I know, thank you so, so much for being an inspiration to us all😊
Former homeschool student and writer here! 😊 Still writing while I school my kids. Best of luck in your writing❤️
@@joannaholden943 aww, this is so sweet, I'm proud you made it this far on being a writer
I'm also a young homeschooled writer 😁
@@alayamcgill7166 Good for you! Keep up the good work
@@joannaholden943 Thanks!! 😀
Can’t believe how perfect the timing was for this!! I’m currently outlining my novel 😁
I say this to everyone all the time: You've taught me everything I know about story and writing!
Funny thing is, my story is coming together by writing character profiles. 😅 it's let me figure out where they fit in everything and what they do in it and keep my cast fairly small. It also helps me figure out how the story will go as well as plan out the prequel.
i always do this
Yes agree too. Sometimes random character we make probably contribute helping us in writing story later on. I Stan thus
Okay, so I wanted to share with you all that Reedsy book editer recently added an outlining tool that works pretty much exactly how the feature of Scrivener Abbie was using does. Of course, Reedsy doesn't have nearly as many features, but I've been working in Evernote for notes or longer documents and Reedsy for my actual chapter-by-chapter outline.
im broke so i cant rly afford this thing and let me just say that reedsy has actually saved my life
This is by far, THE MOST USEFUL outlining video I’ve ever watched! Thank you, Abbie!!
U apparently don't watch many outlining vids.
You may not be the best judge. Over time the worth of this vid is amazing.
Been chipping away at the novel of my dreams for 2 years now and decided I needed to take a step back and look at the big picture. This video helped alot!
Ahhh I needed this so much!! Thank you Abbie!!! ❤❤❤
I'm also homeschooled. Since I was eleven I started writing and ever since I found you my passion for writing turned into way more! I'm 16 now and you have always been the hugest inspiration! Love you to bits and all your books!!! 💖
Wow, I’m 16 years old now too and I have been interested in writing since… a long time, but that interest manifested itself in a different manner as a kid. It developed from imagining these fantasy stories with my brother and my friends to the idea I might want to actually do something with writing myself. That later formed into imagining coherent concepts for stories, with themes, characters and other storytelling aspects in mind. I have only known Abbie’s channel for half a year or so, but she’s already been so helpful (and she’s also iconic already, with her constantly repeating phrases about desire, fear and misbelief and such :)).
@@jarmoliebrand2005 and Zene Bornman I'm 14 and home schooled and have been interested in writing since I was...like five something something lol. I started writing when I was ten with little bits and pieces of novels, just random ideas that popped into my head that somehow turned into these long scenes... I just found Abbie's channel a few weeks and it all started coming together. Now I have a basic outline for a trilogy and and beginning the first book. Its amazing how Abbie's videos turned a 14year old with random ideas into someone with an actual novel outline and the ability to complete the book. Good luck to both of you with your writing.
Heh i fit the gap... I am 15 and homeschooling. This is so perfect! Haha. I have so many ideas and abby has given amazing tips from experience to help me put them on paper!
Thank you!!
Homeschoolers rock!
I've watched a handful of your videos over the past week and you've been 1000x more helpful than any of the books I've read on writing, and that includes some written by rather notable best selling authors. Thanks so much.
Seeing all this outlining videos are scaring me. I’ve been more focused on finishing the story I’m nearly done with and haven’t been outlining much for next month (thankfully it’s fanfiction, unfortunately, it’s so all over the place with different POVs that I can’t classically outline it (using 3 act story structure)).
Thank you for the videos on writing. It’s going to be the only thing keeping me sane this (and next) month.
I'm also writing fanfiction and although i have a general outline of how the story goes it's still messy. I still need to improve my vocabulary as well, that's one of the things I struggle i know what to put in that scene i just can't write or i have a hard time describing it, i am still learning though 🥲
@@amateurbarnaby But hey, it’s lower stakes with fanfiction. You writing it for yourself only or are you posting it anywhere?
I’m trying to outline it now, but I’m using the full (or most) of the 3 act structure for each chapter (which is a new POV and mini arc). It’s going to be so cram packed with inner conflict and chaos while also being so all over the place when I write it… nonetheless, I’m rather excited for it.
Good luck with your story!
The vocab and writing quality improves as you write and read, I’ve found.
@@taytaythehufflepuff8532 true. I have some original stories in mind but i am starting with fanfiction not to mention i am really obsessed with this show so it helps a lot in writing the fanfic. I am thinking of posting it on Wattpad but for now I am writing it for myself, maybe if i wrote around 15 chapters maybe i'll post it. Honestly, though my mind is filled with so many scenes that i just want to write so i am also excited for this.
Good Luck to the both of us in our stories! and hey maybe if you finished and post your story maybe you can share it. I would love to read it 💖.
It helps so much to see you turn the 3 Act bullet outline into a list of chapters! I learned a lot.
Abbie, you are the best teacher when it comes to teach people how to write. Thank you so much. I've learnt a lot from you and still. Really thank you 🌹🌹🌹
Yess!
Just got into a stupid argument on youtube with someone and got called a LOT of names, trust me. Your video gave me a sense of calm and positive thoughts. I always tune into your podcast when I want to calm myself down. Thanks a lot, Abbie. And Kate, thank you too!
Omg. No joke, your chapter-by-chapter outline method with the notecards just got me unstuck on my novel. By copying my messy bullet notes into the notes bar and just sorting into chapters, it made me realize I have most of it there written down already, I just needed to see it spread out like this. It seems so simple and basic, but everything is so much clearer now. Thank you!!
Thanks Abbie. I was lost halfway while writing my novel after 50 thousand words, I felt like nothing is working and I started writing my first chapter over and over again for 40 days and then I saw your video. Believe me when you said keep swimming even if everything felt like crap it helped me breaking the loop. Listening to you I added a new chapter after 40 days. Thanks and love from India
Scrivener is great for doing essays with strict word counts too! Makes it much easier to face writing when each section of the essay is separate and you can move it about
I've been struggling to outline my story ideas and this has really helped me to finally create one! Thank you for making it easy to follow and understand!
"... so that you can spend less time overthinking and more time writing with confidence." I needed this SO MUCH! That part got me with the chills. Thanks a bunch, Abbie! You're a life saver for every beginner author
I tend to use yWriter to keep track of all the pieces of my story. It has everything to keep consistent in a story or even a series.
It's stored all my bits and pieces no matter where I'm at... I also add any changes to it I make to keep things straight.
I usually start on a notepad/word combo that works well for me to just pour everything out.
So helpful omg now I feel like I finally know how to get started
A good (and free) alternative to scrivener is yWriter. It also let's you divide everything in chapters and scenes, has a time line feature with different Povs, has character files and other cool stuff. For all my fellow poor students out there
Thank you so much!
Wavemaker is also cool!
Imagine Abbie's books as movies!!! I don't think I will ever stop watching it over and over again
I was literally trying to write the main events in a few words in a list to be sure i don't miss anything
I'm happy you mentioned simplify, because at some point i started writing a lot, i had a ton of fun, then i thought i should search for advice and tips online and it was so much information that it made me get an artist block and i started procrastinating and barely wrote anymore
Now I'm trying to get back into that fun time of just writing and being excited about it again, without completely lacking a structure and vital info
Hi, Abbie! This is super helpful. Yesterday, I finished the main outline for my fantasy trilogy that i have been outlining for 2 years. You have helped me so much, and I just wanted to tell you how awesome and helpful you have been through these years.
Omg is this what they mean by destined to happen? I feel shook because I had been looking over your playlist because I have been suffering not knowing how to write my chapters into story from a plot outline!!?!?! ABBIE YOU ARE OUR SAVIOR!!!!!
YEEEEESSSSS! I was just wishing for a video like this! Thanks, Abbie!
Thank you so much for this! This is exactly what I needed, I was just struggling along trying to make a chapter by chapter outline of my novel when I saw this in my notifications-You're a life saver, Thank you!
It’s feels awesome and comforting knowing that we both start out writing our story ideas in similar ways, in a kind of messy, fan-girly way. And never forgot to emphasize the important parts/feelings of the story 😂
Edit: Omg, the more I read this, the more I’m realizing we write our brain dumps similar. Like we def don’t format the same way, which is completely understandable, but the lols you put in and personal flairs are so relatable.
I was honestly really worried that it had to be professional, but seeing yours makes me want to get through my creative writing slum really bad.
Omg, the “omg it’s too cozy, stop” is killing me 😭😭😭 We are such fan girls, it’s insane.
The only thing I wish worked but doesn’t, is that your outline doesn’t fully fit for the format of the types of stories I want to make, but ugh, I feel like we would be such good friends irl.
I swear your videos are a godsend, cuz I need my story to be character driven and I feel my story has become more plot structured.
I agree. The inciting incident needs to be early on. When I read, I get bored of books fast if it doesn’t show up fast enough
Is there a video that explains the terms: Pinch point, story beat, etc.? I'm in my early 70s and after years of collecting story ideas, etc., I'm finally at the point where I want to start writing my first book. Sometimes I think it would be better to just jump in and start writing, but I realize that I need some organized system to help me get going. I'm so glad I discovered Abbie's videos; they break Scrivener down into understandable parts, and after trying out other writing software, I've decided that Scrivener is way I want to go.
Scrivener is the best purchase I ever had with a working software. I get giddy everytime I use it
Hi community, this is my first time planning to writing my very own first novel. Writing is joy and peace for me at the same time. I am scrolling through Abbie’s video and I’m so grateful she’s here to help us out ❤️ I have only written about 9000 words and it’s a draft I guess, bullet points, actual conversations and descriptions 🙈 So, at this point it’s not really clear how to go from there and with this right now, I’m not even half way through my novel plan. I’m still in the first quarter. Help?!
OMG! The way in which you outline with all the "Maybe..."s, is the same way I outline my novel. I end up writing a ton, just like you!
Thanks Abbie. I was lost halfway while writing my novel after 50 thousand words, I felt like nothing is working and I started writing my first chapter over and over again for 40 days and then I saw your video. Believe me when you said keep swimming even if everything felt like crap it helped me breaking the loop. Listening to you I added a new chapter after 40 days. Thanks and love from India
I like to make plot lines when outlining. It makes all your plot points clear, and you know what each of them are without having to scroll through an outline.
This is amazing Abbie! As a Scrivener user I never thought I could use the corkboard as index cards, so useful. Also thank you so much for this overview of your process, it helps me so much on planning my story. I have always had problems with outlining, but with your videos I feel it doesn't have to be has daunting as I make it. Thank you for the amazing content!
I needed this one as I was blindly going in the first draft, thank you Ma'am for guiding us beginners through the whole process step by step.
I am so glad that i found your videos. I have been doing my outlines and it seems to be helping so much on stories that i have been working on for years with no progress. This is helping me get out of that rut
Abbie im so happy ur sharing your own personal story with us and you have idea how much helpful it is in understanding how to outline a chapter by chapter draft using the 3 act structure...keep it up❤
I’m trying to write down a story that I’ve been writing in my head for years into a cohesive something . I’m finally confident enough in my characters and story to actually try writing it. This story is super important to me because the mental writing of it has gotten me through so much crazy life stuff. I’m so happy I found your videos! Even though I’m probably going to go the comic route your videos have been so helpful when it comes to organizing the jumbled mess of scenes and story in my head. So thank you!!! ❤
This is one of the best videos that I have seen on your channel.😍
just in case you can't get scrivener you can make those section and subsections on Microsoft OneNote too as a last resort. pretty easy to use, I have three main sections : scenes ( that I can move to the main manuscript ) then there's manuscript and outline section with character plot and chapter outlines.
I just would like to say that I have just found your videos and channel a few days ago as I have been struggling trying to stay focused and organized. Wow is all I have to say I have been able to organize my story so well with your tips within Scrivener that I feel like I can actually think without it all being jumbled up and in different places. Thank you and I continue to look forward to new videos while going back to watch your previous ones too!!
Hi Abbie! I haven't yet watched the vid but I feel like this needs to be said.
*Stands up and slowly claps*
Well done. And thank you.
If you're confused, I have literally just (like 4 seconds ago) finished reading 100 days of sunlight. I am blown away with your amazing story, as well as inspiration for my own books! I'll admit I had a bit of a negative view on the whole switching pov every chapter, but you proved me wrong and showed me this was _extactly_ what my story needs. (My current WIP book is a bit similar in plot, but it's set in a fairy world, focuses on death/loss, and the roles are reversed) Amazingly, I didn't get bored during the middle as I do with most contemporary books I read. Also, a romance that isn't cheesy/insta love?! *(dramatically falls on bed)* It's perfect.
I so very rarely read contemporary, and this was a great genre change for me. Now I want to read more lol. *(glances at the Christmas book)* Oh yeah, I'm coming for you next.
Thank you so much Abbie! 💕 ❤
Also the cover makes so much more sense now. I love it!
And, yet again, I am stunned by your content, Abbie! Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom. I am saving documents, making notes and learning loads from your channel! I am yet to see if I am a Pantser or a Plotter though. So, come this Oct i am going to prep for Nov, and then when Nov comes. I am going to see if i can write two books!🎉🎉 One, using the Plotters techniques, and the other, just flowing. I will be using your techniques and documents in Oct!
Once again, thank you for all your help
Oh my gosh you absolutely read my mind, I was trying to figure out this exact thing for NaNoWriMo!! Thank you!!
She starts outlining at 9:13.
The outline I did was more akin to the Freytag pyramid of what happens in and between each of the main sections. Now I’m figuring out how to break that into chapters.
Great video. Thank you for making it. Just wanted to say that a good free alternative for Scriviner is Manuskript, and its quite simple to use.
I'm saying a very big ‘thank you’ to you, Abbie.
Right when I needed it. thank you.
very essential for beginners like me
I write the plot point at the top of the scene card, but then break it down further into “goal”, “conflict”, “proaction”, “consequence”. To remind myself of the momentum I need within every given scene.
Thank you for doing this. Im having hard time plotting my novel chapter by chapter. This is great help.
Thank you! I am now using Scrivener instead of word. I am ready for November! Let's go!
I love Scrivener too! It's so helpful and thank you for all the gems you drop Abbie.
if for whatever reason scrivener doesn’t work for you, i recommend notion!!! it’s free and highly customizable and organizable, and you can use it for a lot more than story writing
Love your channel and your intro is awesome. You have a great personality as well. 💕
Your videos are so inspiring! I used to be a prancer with my writing, but I've wanted to become more of a plotter. Your videos have been a fantastic source of information and have really helped me learn more about the stories I'm trying to tell.
This was very helpful, I am glad I found your channel, your recommendation for using scrivener was a wonderful recommendation. I have been using it for over a year now. Wish the best for you
Thank you so much for this refresher! I've recently started using Scrivener for my own projects and also for my clients projects as well. Super helpful.
This is soooo amazing 😍 I'm going to catch up on the previous videos and try to quickly get ready for nanowrimo
I'm rather excited to be the first view and like in the video, joining at 15 seconds. Thank you very much for your tips, they are most useful since I'm stuck wishing to write a book, and your videos are helpful to a level beyond comprehension. Also: Long Live Scrivener!
I need this for my debut novel. I generally don't plan out my chapters but for most of my fanfics I just write a short summary and go from there. Some others I do the bullets point.
How do you always read my mind? I exactly needed this!!!
I have many different concepts for stories, I don’t think I lack inspiration. I need to outline the ideas I have, to make them more and more cohesive. Others have said it already, but I’m going to say it too: Great timing.
Yesss! This was literally the video I was looking for.
love the new thumbnail layout 💛 sooo cute 💓
Everyone needs Sriv'. I use it and Scapple for outlining. Both are so easy.
Thanks!
*completely perfect paragraphs*
“As you can see, it’s VERY disorganized! ☺️”
One of the things I’ve found helpful is the split screen option in Scrivener. So I can have the documents where I’ve been noting right next to my scene cards as I scribble them.
(Tw for later in the comment) I love these videos! At this point in time me and my friend have been assigned to write a 20 chapter novel and we have chapters planned up until chapter 8, let me explain our problem. Writers Block. I’ll tell you the plot. There’s this girl Avery, one day after cleaning out her grandma’s apartment she finds a journal, she later finds out this journal writes everything that is happening at the exact second but not in the future, meaning that the pages towards the end are blank. One day after her best friend is over the book goes missing, the next day at school she goes through Riley’s (the best friend) bag. She finds the book, that night she flicks to the end and realised that it had a date written down and below that it said *died* she then starts to freak and worry. Then her and Riley get into a fight, but in a couple days she is meant to die. That day rolls around and she doesn’t die, but you know who did die, RILEY! So then Avery gets all upset as the last thing she said was ‘I hate you’. And so Avery tries to jump of a bridge but someone stops her/the water was running so it didn’t break her fall. We have absolutely no idea what to do from there! DO YOUR THING TH-cam! GIVE ME IDEASSSSSSS
First of all: That sounds AMAZING! But I do have some questions if you don't mind answering. Was there a specific thing written that indicated that the one meant to die was Avery? Why did Riley steal the book? Did she know about it's special power? Did she know a way to save Avery from her written fate by taking her place instead? All in all, as I said this is a great idea/plot and I believe you will be able to succeed in fleshing it out completely! You both sound like people with great imagination and creativity!! Good luck on your assignment!
I love this idea! It reminds me a lot of the movie Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (which is a compliment because I love that movie!). The commenter above does ask some good questions to think about if you haven't already :) My favorite piece of advice to give is to not be scared to really put your characters through the wringer. Make them fight for their lives. Give them their solution, and then put every force you can into stopping them. I wish you both the best on your assignment!! :)
Hi , I am not writing a novel but instead I am drawing a comic. I was wondering if i could put these principles in making my comics?
She probably won't reply here, but I can answer for her and what she'd say and say yes, you absolutely can!
What she teaches is how to craft meaningful and effective stories. The format is your choice
I’m writing a comic and I follow Abbie for writing advice. Aside from her videos on how to write prose, the principles of writing can be applied universally to any medium of writing. With a comic, because it’s visual, you can do a lot of different types of foreshadowing and symbolism you wouldn’t be able to do in a prose novel. Just make sure you also look up writing/drawing advice specifically for comics as well, because depending on the type of comic you plan to draw, and how long, you might just have to apply the principles a bit differently.
Why do you always have exactly what I need, when I need it?😆❤❤❤
This was so helpful, thank you Abbie!
Is there a replay of the masterclass you mentioned without having to sign up for Patreon?
She starts at 4:35
I'm so excited to start! Do you have any tips on how to make through the hard times, or something that makes it fun each day? Thoughts?
Oh how I love Scrivener 🎉 Thanx for this video, super helpful. Outlining soon xx
Is the Scriviner live session available? I would love love love to see that video, but I can't find it anywhere
Thank you for your videos, you inspire me so much!
I use Dabble Writer, and it's the exact same thing there!
I’ve come to discover that outlines are drafts, too. I can plan out the character arc for a given character pretty quickly - but then might find out while writing that, say, this character’s original fear and/or misbelief doesn’t work. Or that there are *other forms of internal conflict than desire vs. fear.* The latter is something that Abbie should address, since the focus on “desire vs. fear” she has been pushing thus far is rather restrictive.
hmm interesting- do you have any examples of other kinds of internal conflict? would help me with brainstorming xd
Hi Abbie,
Can u please make a video for people who have Google docs about how to write a chapter by chapter outline using the doc even though u don't use it for your books. Also if I don't have a patron or any other kind of social media how else can I join the Live Training if I don't have any social media or patron, stay 1 on 1 with you and get better advice on my story? Thanks for your advice it has changed both my life and my character's lives!
#AskAbbie!
Reminds me of Final Draft
I’m loving your videos! I finally sent off a manuscript to a couple alpha readers for the first time after so many half-finished attempts.
What if you’re heading into NaNoWriMo with a really vague idea of an outline? I feel like I know my characters by now (I’m planning to draft the second, somewhat standalone, book in a series). But the plot points just aren’t coming into focus for me. Where do I go from there?? Start over with a new idea entirely, keep brainstorming different scenarios right up until the day?
I feel like I get stuck in the “what happens next” phase more often than not while I’m in the middle of writing. It’s hard to flesh that out up front for me and then it’s been 5 (or more) years before I finally have a rough draft.
Its not a paid promotion but you have a coupon code?
I absolutely love these indepth videos!! I can't wait to get back to my draft, I've been in such a bad writing rut
Thanks Abbie❤ Has anyone ever told you that you resemble Natalia Dyler (Nancy Wheeler) actress of stranger things? I love your videos.
As someone who's writing a Light Novel with volumes, the chapter-by-chapter is the best outline ever. It's not easy to write 50k for like 5 books. I also need a 3 act structure for the whole series and for each book... I don't even want to think about the illustrations 😂
I Just need to bee honest here, I couldn't focus on the first part of the video bc I was pausing the hole time to read the brain dumb (🤭) and aaaaaah how cute was that 😍😍😍 I can't!!! that story seems soooooo adorable 😍 just with that brain dump I was so in love with the characters aaaaaah 😍😍😍😍😍😍 sorry, just needed to take that of my heart 🤭🤭 ok, now I can get back to the video hehehe
Love your videos by the way! Thank you so much for them ❤️
This is so helpful 🎊
I’m grateful! 🙏🏻
Just the one I need! The video is very helpful!!! ❤❤❤❤
it’s so beautiful
Thank you so much for laying everything out like this.🥰. It helps tremendously both for helping me visualize the planning process as well as using Scrivner to its full potential (which is a major work-in-progress 😵💫)
This is super helpful!! I don't have Scrivner, but I'm trying to use Notion to achieve a similar effect.