Request: help with Outlining One.

[aldersprig]

It is my desire to re-re-write the Rin/Girey story with a coherent Outline.

So far I have:

Beginning: Rin takes Girey from the Camp

(Middle: long road to Lannamer. Things happen)

End: Something happens in the castle.



For those of you that are Rin/Girey readers, what are key points and what is it missing? What could be left out?

Cheers,

Lyn

Comments

[inventrix]

*rolls up sleeves*

Okay, the first consideration when putting together a revised outline is, in my experience, getting a Big Picture view of the overall plot arc.

So first: What is the overall plot arc? As best as I can tell, it's the relationship developing between Rin and Girey. Going from the assumption that a) I am correct, and b) you want it to stay that way, this means all of your major points in the outline are going to be instances of a significant development in their relationship.

I would posit something like this:

- Rin captures Girey, establishes stern captor/resentful captive dynamic.
- Girey tries and fails to escape, which plays on the resentful captive part of the story.
- Girey realizes he's being a dumbass and a little shit and starts paying attention to what's going on.

I can't remember which of the following two happens first (or should happen first):
- Something happens *handwaves* and Rin notices the change in Girey's attitude, which starts a shift in her views of him.
- Girey makes an attempt to escape but turns back to save Rin; it's a key point in his changing attitudes, especially regarding her.

- That bit where Rin unchains him so he can fight and he doesn't run away; relationship has progressed to a certain degree of mutual respect and trust.
- Some key instances of them treating each other, to each other, essentially as equals. It might even involve Girey playing the prisoner, I dunno. Possibly (probably?) part of the segment where they arrive at Lannamer.
- Rin and Girey officially admit to each other (such as that scene starting with the conversation with her, what was it, grandmother?) that they have a relationship.

One thing I've noticed when putting this together is that Girey is the active part of the story; the majority of what progresses the plot are things he does, while only a very small percentage are things Rin does. Whether this is good or bad depends entirely on how you want the story to work.

If you have subplots you want to keep or work in, I'd write their outlines separately and then fit the bullet points into the main outline where chronologically appropriate, but style them differently.

[inventrix]

one thing I did which I thought I should point out explicitly, as I've found it helpful personally, is briefly describe the importance of the events I put in the outline as well as the events themselves. It helps (me at least) keep a handle on what is actually important to the plot, what can stay or go as necessary, and what is actually not working with the plot at all.

[clare_dragonfly]

Religious arguments!

I'm not sure "something happens in the castle" can be the end if it's to be a complete narrative. In fact, I sort of think "castle" should be the middle of the book. Then they have to acclimate to their changed situation, figure out how they can live with each other, and then final declarations of love are the end. I mean, that probably happens in the castle, but there should be a lot of other stuff in the castle ;)