60 Index Cards Equal a Book

What Is It?

I used to be a pantser.

I wrote my books and stories by the seat of my pants.

After doing that for many years, I started to realize the value of an outline.

When I was in a sales field, I started my career anew every month. The previous month closed, and the next one started fresh.

I was waking up in a new world every day.

It would be a blessing to me if you would click here and consider joining my group of readers.

Then I started prospecting in a serious manner- putting prospects in a sales funnel and following up on them until we could possibly get together on a purchase.

The portrait artist in me realized that each model on some level started with the same basic bone structure.

When I started outlining my literary work, I found they wrote themselves much more quickly.

Who Cares?/Who benefits?

I care, because I am always looking for a better way. Plus, I would love to have a book or article already half written when I sit down at my computer.

I would be willing to bet a few of you would find it nice as well.

Who Does/Has Done It?

George L. Thomas, Margaret Dilloway, and the Mill City Press in these examples, but to be sure, writers by the thousands everywhere. It is only a matter of educating yourself or being educated.

How Does It Work?

GEORGE L THOMAS .com

ALWAYS WRITING, ALWAYS LEARNING

Creating an Outline with Index Cards

Once you’ve written the single sentence event on all sixty cards, spread them all out in front of you. I use my coffee table because it’s large enough, though you can use a dining table or even the floor if you like.

Take a good look at all of your events. Are they all in the order they need to be in?

Now, remember that list of key points from the Three Act Structure that you may or may not have made a note of? Well, we’re going to use that now, so if you haven’t jotted down the points, you may want to do so now.

First, all of the parts that belong in the beginning, or Act I go in one pile, all those that belong in the middle, or Act II, go in another and finally, all of the events that belong in the end, or Act III, go in a third pile.

Next, take the scene cards in the pile for Act 1 and match them to the elements of this act (you won’t be able to match every card, but you’ll have a sense of where they’ll need to be placed in the story.)

For example, take the scene or event that you think is your exposition or set up. This is where the character is going about their normal, day to day life.
This scene should be first, and the scene that you think describes your inciting incident (the scene that changes the protagonist’s world or forces them out of their normality) – goes next, and so on and so forth until you matched up all the cards with the key points of the three acts as best you can.

Having sorted your cards into their respective acts and matched them with their corresponding points, you can go back to them and add any other information you need to.

mill city press.net

So, grab a stack of index cards, your favorite pen, a large cup of coffee and spread out somewhere comfortable. We’re going to draft every scene of your book using index cards.On one side of each index card, write names of characters who will be in the scene. Also, include the location where the scene will take place

At the top of the other side of the card, write a one-sentence synopsis of the scene.
Under that one sentence, add as many notes about this scene as you want. Use full sentences, phrases or bullet points—whatever feels most natural to you—to flesh out each scene a bit more. Keep in mind though, you only get one index card per scene.
Don’t worry about writing the scene cards in the order you think the story should be told. Just write scenes as fast as you can. You’ll organize them later.
If you’re writing a full-length novel, you should have close to 60 index cards at the end of this process. A novel typically has about 60 scenes in total.
Shuffle the stack of index cards, then begin laying them out on the floor or a large table. With the one-sentence synopsis side up, place the index cards in the order you think makes sense to tell your story. This is similar to storyboarding—just without images to go along with the text.
Once you’ve placed all of your index cards, read over the cards and ask yourself: Does the progression of scenes make sense? Does anything seem out of place? Am I missing any important scenes?
The act of physically laying out your scenes allows you to easily see the big-picture view of your book and if any scene seems out of place.
Move your index cards around to adjust the flow of your story before you even start to write.
When you’ve locked your scene order in place, you can either tape all your index cards to a wall in story order and remove scenes as you complete them, or you can display only the index cards for the scenes you’re currently working on so you don’t feel overwhelmed by the enormity of writing a book.

Have you tried plotting your book with index cards?

MARGARET DILLOWAY .com

Award-Winning Books, School Visits, and Workshops

How to Outline a Novel: 60 Index Cards Method

60 Scenes in a Novel

Most novels have about 60 scenes and three acts (like a screenplay). The acts are a “series of sequences that culminate in a major turning point in a character’s life.” I wrote that down because Bernhardt said it twice.

Acts I and III have about 15 scenes each.

Act II is the longest, at 30 scenes.

Some novels have more scenes, some fewer. Some even have four acts.

Instructions:

1. Get 60 index cards out.
2. Write out one scene per card. Include notes for subplots, when characters are introduced, whose Point of View it is, etc.
3. Arrange them in an order of deepening intensity.

As I arranged, I paid attention to the following:

The Micro of Scene Work

Each scene is an event that changes the character’s situation in a meaningful way.

Every scene needs something to happen.

Each scene produces a change achieved through conflict.

Each scene shows how the character responds under pressure.

If the scene does not meet these criteria, take it out.

What Does It Get You?/Why Use It?

Peace of mind is what it seems to bring. Well-begun is halfway done?

I have found I can have several books in the outline stage at the same time. I can work on one outline and then another all unfinished because I don’t get too emotionally invested in an outline. I can walk off.

Then when the time comes for the more involved level of writing, I am way ahead of the game on each one. Try it twice. I don’t think you will go back to pantsing again.

Thanks to Matthew LeJune for sharing their work on Unsplash.

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Thanks to Matthew LeJune for sharing their work on Unsplash.

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