I Tried Ken Follet’s Intense Outlining Process

In this writing vlog I tried Ken Follet's intense outlining process! I've been wanting to do this one ever since I read about it in Plot and Structure, so it's awesome to have finally gotten a chance to try it out 🙂
With that said, it was very intense!
The writing vlog contains me working through the steps Ken Follet uses to outline his stories, better organizing my story to continue with the process, and even changing one of my character's names! It was a fun few days, so I hope you enjoy!!
What do you think of this writing vlog? What do you think about Ken Follet's intense outlining process? Have you ever written a treatment for one of your stories??
Let me know in the comment's below and I'll get back to you 🙂
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🗒 Resources 🗒
One of Ken Follet's Treatments: bit.ly/ken-fol...
💻 Plotting software I use 💻
Plottr: plottr.com?ref=323 (affiliate link*)
Long story short, by purchasing a product from one of my paid links you are helping support this channel and my journey to become an author 🙂 I will never recommend any products I don't actually use and don't think are worth the price. Or as Amazon would like me to say, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@mel_9346]

What an intense process! I could never 😅 I still have some planning and outlining to do before Nanowrimo, I hope to see you this Saturday ready to write!

[@john_writing_]

Haha, just a little intense 😂 Looking forward to kicking off Camp Nanowrimo together!

[@warmflash]

I’m watching now. I’m a fan of Follet. He appears to outline using the same technique I use: THE STEP OUTLINE. A story diagnostic tool used in the film world. I wrote 10 drafts of the STEP OUTLINE for my longest story yet. ❤❤❤❤ Fantastic stuff John

[@john_writing_]

Is that the same thing as a treatment? I've heard of treatments from Story by Robert McKee, but never step outlines. 10 drafts sounds intense!

[@warmflash]

*STEP OUTLINES* are written in the *PRESENT TENSE* as literary works, paintings, films, and other artistic creations are assumed to exist in an *eternal present.*

[@jameschristopher5601]

You should try Abbie's Emmons three act structure method with ennergram for your characters. After you do that though you should do her scene cards for each of your scenes. It will help your writing.

[@john_writing_]

Hmm, I know the enneagram, so I'd be curious to try it at some point. Thanks for the suggestion :)

[@turcosollozzo]

Dear friend, I am from Argentina. I really appreciate your content. It is very helpful. Could you recommend some software to write the novels and organize all the content? A hug.

[@john_writing_]

Hey Bruno, it depends on what you're looking for. In this video the tool that I used is something called Plottr (you can check it out here and if you decide to buy from this link, it will help support my channel: plottr.com/?ref=323). I really like Plottr for any type of story outlining and it should have more than enough tools for you, unless you want to go really deep on worldbuilding.

[@turcosollozzo]

@@john_writing_ Thanks!!

[@alonzomuncy4659]

Ken Follet writes the outline that I would like to have.

[@john_writing_]

You've still got one day before camp nano if you want to go all in and do it! (please don't, it's a ton of work 😂) How is your outline currently??

[@alonzomuncy4659]

@@john_writing_ It's okish, but you know how you don't know exactly what you want until you see someone else doing it? That's kinda what I feel like with this outline. So my unlimited ambition may come into play here.

[@john_writing_]

Well, there's always next time to try it out. Or if you end up changing the story a bit midway through, then you can do this style for those scenes.

[@john_writing_]

So my outline is done, if you're writing one, did you finish? Or do you have just a little left to go before Camp Nanowrimo?

[@carav239]

The link to the Follet outline didn’t work is there somewhere else I can get it?

[@bogdandeaconu4872]

Hei, What app is that - the one you use for writing? Are you using Microsoft Word? Because it looks like an online version. Thx!

[@stepi8794]

I wonder why Steepfall never became a book... Any idea?

[@BlueWren027]

Sounds like the snowflake method

[@johncalebsteele]

Choomon

[@warmflash]

Remind your betas you are looking for descriptive feedback and not prescriptive feedback. You want to know descriptive stuff like what they Liked Confused them Thrilled them Bored them Hated Want more off Was too fast Was too slow What is unnecessary Etc But nothing prescriptive. No ideas about new characters or story turns. No “what if a meteor landed here” or “add an alien appears here” or “the queen dies” etc.

[@john_writing_]

Good things to keep in mind when I start using beta readers