New here

[menollypop]

Hi, I'm new here. I'm trying to figure out if writing is for me. I'm chronically ill so I spend a lot of time in bed and I'm hoping writing might help me feel productive when I'm too tired for anything else.
I have several ideas for novels and one in particular I'm excited about, but I'm not sure how to go from the handful of scenes I've written and basic plot outline to detailed outline and a real first draft.

 

[pmmg]

Howdy Menollypop. Welcome here.

Nothing you have already suggests what the next scene should be?

 

[Prince of Spires]

Welcome menollypop.

There are as many ways to get from an idea to a finished story as there are writers. Part of your "job" as a writer is to find the way that works best for you. Some people just sit down behind a keyboard and type away, while others create a detailed outline, which for some can run almost as long as the novel.

A few pointers perhaps:
- You could check out Brandon Sanderson's university lectures on Youtube. They're a great introduction to writing SciFi/Fantasy, and include a section on plotting
- You could also just take you basic outline, and start writing that. One thing I've done is to take a small bulletpoint from my outline. Before I start writing, I take that bulletpoint, and I write a short description of what actually happens in that chapter. Something like 2-4 paragraphs, and take it from there.
- You could also take the outline, and write a summary of your story. Just write a high level description of 2-3 pages telling someone (yourself) what your story is about.

 

[Avery Moore]

Welcome to the site Menollypop! ... Menollypop is too long. Going to need a nickname, but I can't just call you "Men". Can't call you "Meno" either. Puts in mind of menopause. How about "Pop"? Pop is a good nickname! Like Snap, Crackle and Pop! Can I call you Pop? I'm going to call you Pop!

Really sorry to hear that you're chronically ill and stuck in bed all the time. That sucks. Definitely hope you can find a hobby that keeps you entertained when you're feeling too ill or tired for anything physical. If not writing then something equally enjoyable. If you're looking for ideas of how to outline your novel, there are several popular outlining methods out there.

There's the basic Hero's Journey
The extremely popular Save the Cat Beat Sheet
And my personal favourite, the 3 Act, 9 Block, 27 Chapter Outline

Of course there are loads more outlining methods out there, especially if you're looking for something less "Western" but these are three of the more popular ones I can think of.

 

[menollypop]

I have a nine point plot structure, and I have about a half page summary, but I don't know how to expand that into something like a 20 page outline or a full novel.
I have a couple subplot ideas, but they're currently just whole subplots plopped between plot points, which seems wrong, and I'm not really loving them.

 

[menollypop]

Welcome to the site Menollypop! ... Menollypop is too long. Going to need a nickname, but I can't just call you "Men". Can't call you "Meno" either. Puts in mind of menopause. How about "Pop"? Pop is a good nickname! Like Snap, Crackle and Pop! Can I call you Pop? I'm going to call you Pop!

Really sorry to hear that you're chronically ill and stuck in bed all the time. That sucks. Definitely hope you can find a hobby that keeps you entertained when you're feeling too ill or tired for anything physical. If not writing then something equally enjoyable. If you're looking for ideas of how to outline your novel, there are several popular outlining methods out there.

There's the basic Hero's Journey
The extremely popular Save the Cat Beat Sheet
And my personal favourite, the 3 Act, 9 Block, 27 Chapter Outline

Of course there are loads more outlining methods out there, especially if you're looking for something less "Western" but these are three of the more popular ones I can think of.

Thanks for linking the 3 act 9 block 27 chapter outline! I was already kinda wondering out the fractal nature of stories, like with the snowflake method, and this really speaks to me! Stories within stories within stories!

And 'Pop' is a good nickname. Easier to spell too

 

[Avery Moore]

I have a nine point plot structure, and I have about a half page summary, but I don't know how to expand that into something like a 20 page outline or a full novel.
I have a couple subplot ideas, but they're currently just whole subplots plopped between plot points, which seems wrong, and I'm not really loving them.

The 3 Act, 9 Block, 27 Chapter Outline could be good for expanding your outline. Personally, I like to use the Jot, Bin, Pants method. Basically, make a list of bullet points of things that you would like to happen at some point in your novel. Every time you come up with an idea, jot it down. Keep writing ideas until you have somewhere between 50 and 100. Then, once you've written down all of your ideas of events that take place in your novel, rearrange them all and get rid of the ideas that either don't work, or you don't like anymore, and keep rearranging them until you're happy with the order they're in. By then, you'll have a really solid outline for your novel.

 

[Dylan]

Hi, I'm new here. I'm trying to figure out if writing is for me. I'm chronically ill so I spend a lot of time in bed and I'm hoping writing might help me feel productive when I'm too tired for anything else.
I have several ideas for novels and one in particular I'm excited about, but I'm not sure how to go from the handful of scenes I've written and basic plot outline to detailed outline and a real first draft.

Writing can be a great outlet, especially when dealing with chronic illness. Start by expanding your basic plot outline, break it into key scenes or chapters, then flesh out the details. Don’t worry about perfection; just focus on getting your ideas down. You can always revise later. For now, enjoy the process and let your excitement guide you. You’ve got this!