Outlining My Middle Grade Book (Vlog)

[@chelseawritesbooks8763]

I love this video! I also love watching other people's processes. I'm working on plantsing a zero draft, then when I am done with that, I am going to make a very structured outline from it and then write the first/second draft.

[@LindsayPuckett]

that sounds like a great idea and is almost exactly how my cp's process works too! And thanks, Chelsea!!!

[@KristenLeatherman]

I love your spreadsheet method. I might try that for my draft two outline. For my first drafts my outlines are more loose because I find that I just need to write down the basic arc and then kind of pants the rest of it. But once I get the first draft finished it would be so helpful to have a spreadsheet like that. Also reiterating that I CANT WAIT to read this middle grade someday. I’m so stoked for it!

[@LindsayPuckett]

ahh thanks, Kristen!

[@JoeyPaulOnline]

I dont outline to that degree, I have a simple chapter plan, and then character cards and go from there! Yay for getting the outline done! 💜💜💜

[@LindsayPuckett]

haha most people don't! I'm sure super anal lol but I love my character cards too! and thanks :)

[@pattilikestodraw]

This is so helpful and wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing your process with us Lindsay! For someone who's also done with a first draft and also having difficulties figuring things out, this is a blessing!

[@LindsayPuckett]

I'm so glad you found it helpful!

[@SarahCahillWrites]

Listing my needed reveals, (or things that the characters will need to find out,) sounds so incredibly helpful, and just what I might need to re-outline. I'm planning on using Avatar the Last Airbender and the Dragon Prince to help me plot/beat out because journey! This was so fun to watch, thank you for sharing.

[@LindsayPuckett]

It really sparked all the plot points in my second act!! I LOVE this method now. And omg both of those series are on my watch list I'm so behind the times!!!

[@SarahCahillWrites]

Lindsay Puckett They’re both amazing!

[@audreyhenley8920]

LOVED this!! :) This is way more detailed than I've ever gotten, but I love seeing your process!

[@LindsayPuckett]

thank you! Yeah, I feel like normal people aren't as anal as me LOL **cries** send help

[@fridgeghost4017]

this is a really interesting look at outlining. I've tried Truby's book and it's different from anything I've ever read. I'm not great at figuring out chapter length but his book makes me think about plotting in a different way. I don't do such detailed outlines but maybe I should lol I tend to go off on tangents.

[@ninanatascha]

Still rewatching your videos and you inspired me to finally try out middle grade and it has been sp much fun. Also, I had a dream that my middle-grade novel sells and you blurb it, so that is now a dream of mine. Like that would make my life. One day maybe...

[@LindsayPuckett]

omggggg gir! haha That's amazing. Glad you are having fun with Middle grade!!! XD

[@baharhoshyar6752]

Hey Lindsay! I really love your outlining process and specially using Truby's book. However, I'm struggling with his book specially the bit for developing opponents, allies and buddies. Can you provide some tips on developing these characters? Thanks!

[@LindsayPuckett]

Ah unfortunately I don't think I could explain in a comment! It would be like an essay haha I think I would suggest seeing if he clarifies in any of his KZbin videos, and if not, in general I always just try to make sure they all play on the theme in different ways!

[@LoveQualified]

Hey Lindsay. I loved this video 🤗 Quick question. How did you get the cells on google sheets to expand so you can see all the words you typed in? I’ve been trying to use google sheets for my outline but the cells don’t expand when I type into it. My words cross over to other cells so I can’t see all the words at once. Not sure if that makes sense. Please help 😅

[@LindsayPuckett]

ahh okay so you need to do something called "cell wrapping"! Click on the cell you are working in, go to "Format", then "text wrapping", then "wrap". Hope that helps!

[@LoveQualified]

Lindsay Puckett omds you're such a life saver. Thank you so much ❤️

[@LindsayPuckett]

@@LoveQualified yay! Glad it worked!

[@elinstill]

Hi, Lindsay! I hope you see this comment, because I'm in love with your process, trying it out at this very moment. I'm curious about the step between filling out the 22 beats and creating chapters. How do you create and outline the chapters? Do you copy paste what you filled out in the 22 beats and spread them out evenly, or do you use the 22 beats to outline scenes you want to include in each chapter? Super thankful for a reply. Love your channel and your generosity in sharing so much! 💖

[@LindsayPuckett]

I'm not sure I 100% understand your question, but I think I do the former! :) If you buy Anatomy of Story, the author explains it all!

[@elinstill]

@@LindsayPuckett Thank you for replying! 🙏 Yes, like putting the “outline” of the 22 John Truby beats into the chapter outline, compiling and organizing them into chapters ☺️ I’ll give it a try and see how I do 😅 Classic pantser 🙋🏻‍♀️ but feel like trying your process out and see if it helps me run the first draft more smoothly 😄

[@karensuelong4845]

Hi, I can't find what size font to use when publishing a middle reader book. Would it be 12 with single line spacing like other books? or maybe 1.5 line spacing? Or larger as in chapter books? 14? Seems like the rules are different for the middle reader but not much info published for guidelines for self-publishing them.. Is there a resource to find this? Also, if there should not be pictures. It seems that most don't have them and if there are any they are in black and white. Is there a professional rule /guideline thank you. My book is geared towards 8 to 12. Also, are there any book cover rules/guidelines for middle readers. seems like more graphic artists styles instead of illustrations but it's confusing. I measured books to kind of see what is typical. KDP's smallest hardcover is 5.5 by 8.5 which seems so big. I figured I would do the paperback much smaller. Thank you

[@LindsayPuckett]

I am not self published, so I have no idea D: Scholastic takes care of all this for me. I'm sure there are resources out there, you just might have to search around on the internet for a bit! Best of luck!

[@karensuelong4845]

@@LindsayPuckett thank you so much for getting back with me. I appreciate it. I have been researching for months on the internet...... ha... I guess most authors have agents and publishers so I will just do my best. I wrote my book for my Dad but he passed away before I got it finished.... It will be cute and I will do my best... thanks a million and I appreciate your time.... KSL

[@LindsayPuckett]

@@karensuelong4845 That's so special! Best of luck, Karen

[@karensuelong4845]

@@LindsayPuckett thank you.... Keep shining... KSL

[@teatimewithnaomi]

John Truby's book is amazing. I only bought it recently, but it is so amazingly helpful!!

[@LindsayPuckett]

it's the besttttttt!

[@TheKateGibbs]

You should do a video in which you go over your "anatomy of story" notes/bookmarked pages. That book is great but it is so hard to navigate at times.

[@LindsayPuckett]

That's definitely an idea! I'll add that to my video brainstorming list. Thank you!

[@heathermattern]

I would love to know how Anatomy of Story and Save The Cat compare. Care to do a video on such? :)

[@LindsayPuckett]

I have something like that scheduled for closer (maybe in) to January! ;)

[@AceHardy]

📙💯

[@samaralilith]

llooll im messy when brainstorming as well

[@LindsayPuckett]

I don't know how people brainstorm without being a little messy!

[@bookboop]

Brain explosion. My brain hurts from all you have to think through!

[@LindsayPuckett]

hahaha I'm just SUPER ANAL about my stories. I don't think this is the norm LOL

[@Kevlandia]

"Did I just write Harry Potter fanfic?" as if YOU HAVEN'T IN THE PAST!

[@LindsayPuckett]

I actually haven't! haha I def wrote Eragon fan fic as a teen tho...

[@isaacriggs4656]

So basically she's Draco Malfoy.

[@isaacriggs4656]

I wrote this ^ before you said what you said.

[@LindsayPuckett]

@@isaacriggs4656 LOL we are on the same page!