PANTSER TURNED PLOTTER | How I Plot and Outline a 7 Book Series in 2021

PANTSER TURNED PLOTTER | How I Plot and Outline a 7 Book Series in 2021
I used to be a hard-core pantser, but now I LOVE plotting! So much so that I decided to plot and outline my new seven book series! Outlining a novel can be daunting, and outlining a series can be even more so, so I hope you guys enjoy today's writing video on how I outline my books! I use the Save the Cat outlining method as well as another method that works for my writing life.
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#outlininganovel #howtoplotanovel #writingabook

[@AuthorSarahSutton]

I hope you all enjoyed this outlining video! Are you an outliner? EDIT TO ADD: I found the second outline method, or where I initially found it from! Vivien Reis actually posted this on her blog. Check it out for a more in-depth dive! www.vivienreis.com/post/how-to-outline-your-novel-updated

[@StephanieWhitson]

I am writing my fourth book in my series. My first book I totally pants my way and as each book was written I slowly edged more towards the outlining camp. All that to say is I'm outlining my current wip. But it's more of a long list of scenes and a few details about each scene. I'm sure there are better ways to outline, but this works for me.

[@lunablue58]

Through my journey of working on my high fantasy series i have found that I am now a planster. I was a pantser!

[@eleanorhowlett7296]

I wrote the first draft of my first novel without a plan… never again. I had to rewrite it several times 😭😭😭 So for my next novel I’m definitely going to plan, and this video came at a really good time 😍 Thank you for showing us how you outline! I’ve been debating getting Save the Cat for a while, I think it’s time I took the plunge and just ordered it

[@LifeWritingWanderlustwithDevin]

OMG! Super cool! I will have to check out your books! :) Just found your KZbin and Insta! :) Look forward to following ya! :)

[@AuthorSarahSutton]

Oh, I’m so happy you’re here! Thank you!😃💕🎉

[@Amanda_N_Newman]

Wow. Your outlining method is so different from mine. I tend to use a simple chapter by chapter bulletpoint outline. This has worked well for me so far. I used to use one notecard per chapter (when I outlined book 1 of my YA Fantasy trilogy... I pantsed book 2). Now I use a separate word document because it's much easier to make changes if I need to (and some of the bulletpoints for the chapters for my dystopian fantasy series wouldn't fit on just one notecard each). I tend to outline one book, write that book, and when I'm most of the way through or completely through outline the next book.

[@CareenasAdventures]

I struggle with blurbs too, but what’s funny is that I used to love them. Like, every time I started a new book idea I drew pictures, did fancy letting for the book title, and wrote the blurb. Even though I was handwriting, I tried to format it and everything 😂

[@LadyElizabeth24]

I like the way you outline and I own "Save the cat! writes a novel" in audiobook, but haven't read it yet 😌 I tend to want to use "Romancing the beat" outline for my romances but right now I'm just plotting 8 points and that's it, like it was a short story.

[@AutumnAshleigh]

I was the exact opposite! So when I started out, I was such a detailed plotter, like I wanted everything plotted out. When I began my draft zero, it was a mess, but I also felt bored with it because I felt like there was no surprise or excitement to the story (because I plotted so much). So now, I'm definitely like you Sarah! I have a few outlines, key scenes, quotes and things I want to happen but how we get there and how the characters react is a slight mystery until I'm writing it! It's brought so much life into the story and my characters have been able to express themselves and shape their own paths. My story and my characters are no longer trying to be shoved into a box, I just let them roam within a large field called my loose outline 😂 great video Sarah! I enjoyed watching your updated outlining process!!! 😁💓

[@AuthorSarahSutton]

I think a loose outline is so much fun-because i agree, it can get boring for me if everything is so rigidly plotted out. Im so happy your methods work for you!!😃💕🎉

[@katies8080]

Blurbs - I love blurbs. Though I have found on the books I have read recently the blurb slightly differs from the actual story. Also in the past when I have "tried" to write a book my synopsis read like a blurb. I used to be a pantser too, but my last book idea I decided to start an outline of sorts when I didn't know much about out lining as I do now. I also did a lot of character development including their birthdate and star sign, what clothes they like and even how they decorate their home.

[@KayGee_yt]

The fact that you just had a stack of books that you'd written is so inspiring! I've always been told I'm good at writing my teachers and professors and such, and have written some short stuff and poetry for fun. But I'm currently doing my first novel project! Definitely a planner (just took a day to deepen my rough plans before I start act 2) because I hate not knowing what I'm doing at large. Only recently discovered pantsing was even an option lol.

[@AngelaHoodWritesSavannahRose]

I'd been putting off buying Save the Cat Writes a Novel...until today. You convinced me that I need to read this book before I start my 12-book series next year. I also went ahead and purchased Romancing the Beat. After 11 published books (and 4 more before the end of this year), I'm still learning. I was once a plotter. I turned pantser when it came to actually writing the story. I had a basic idea, but I let the story unfold as I wrote. I always kept notes from each chapter for editing purposes. With a 12 book series to work on for the next 6 or more years starting in 2022, I'm gonna need all the notes, series bibles, plotting, and outlining I can get. :) Thanks for sharing your process.

[@AuthorSarahSutton]

Oh my gosh, absolutely!!! I can’t wait to hear what you think of it, and how this series goes for you!!🎉😃😃

[@AngelaHoodWritesSavannahRose]

@@AuthorSarahSutton Just updating you. I read Romancing the Beat in like a couple of hours. It's a short (very short) book, but so worth getting. I plan to keep this book in my writing bag...always. I have just started reading the Save the Cat! Writes a Novel...but I can already tell, I'm going to use this book over and over again.

[@graysonsbookmark]

i think its kinda cheesy when a character says the theme in the beginning of a book, i prefer for them to discover it themselves through their growth, so that's why i don't do the "theme stated" beat

[@reneestrength23]

Loved this video!!! I took some notes to try out. It was definitely helpful. I'm definitely a plotter just haven't found what works for me just yet. Curious do you do any type of character sheets or just plan them as you go? Great video😊

[@AuthorSarahSutton]

I don't really use character sheets. Thank you so much for watching!!

[@reneestrength23]

@@AuthorSarahSutton Love all your content and going to be starting my own channel soon. 😊

[@crimsonac]

I think I struggle with outlines the most tbh and I've come to realize I also don't like very detailed outlines cause then what's the point of writing the story if I already know every single detail that's gonna happen? What I do now is have all major plot plot points outlined, add notes of certain scenes when I need them, and then every week (because I like to revisit and change the outline as I write) I just plan more in detail the scenes I'm hoping to write that week but still not with a lot of detail lol idk how this would work for series cause I haven't done one yet but i love trying new outlining methods and i might definitely steal yours hahaha

[@chloesmith5915]

my elevator pitch😅: when is the line drawn between self-sacrificing in the pursuit of vengeance, and self-slaughter in the obsession of vengeance? Let me know what you think. P.s don't steal, this is part of my book and many of my followers know it🙃

[@nicoleryanbooks]

A book I’ve found helpful when plotting romance specifically is “Romancing The Beat” by Gwen Hayes. She states that romance doesn’t always need an underlying theme, because as a genre it has a built in theme, and that is “Love Conquers All” It’s similar to the Save the Cat beats except specifically for romance

[@Jokerloveshq43]

I’m a plantser. I do a basic outline and let it flow. However, for my current WIP I completed an in depth outline. By that, I mean, I outlined chapter by chapter. This WIP was a story I initially pantsed but never finished. Then I ended up shelving it. But this year I decided maybe it’s time to break it down chapter by chapter and finish this story because I want to share this story with the world!

[@AuthorSarahSutton]

I can’t wait to read it!!!

[@katiemarie1348]

Can we just admire Sarah’s nails For a moment 😉☺️😘

[@ve4043]

I use to be a pantser but I realize being a plotting and measuring my progress through my word count works for me.

[@tasharaines7119]

I'm a pantser. I prefer to discover the story as I write. However, when writing a series it is best to have a small outline-learned that lesson the hard way. Plus, if you are confused about theme, try reading K.M. Weiland's book Writing Your Story's Theme.

[@AuthorSarahSutton]

Ooh, I’ll have to check that book out!

[@stephaniedunham4104]

Walsh is perfect. How dare you try to list something negative for him. 😂

[@goodcleanfun.with.aubrierose]

I know you posted this awhile ago, but I’ve heard that the writer doesn’t usually know the theme! They just kind of write it in and it’s the editor that points it out. I don’t know if that’s helpful or not but, yeah!

[@angelanails9510]

Do you know someone that can write a story Bible for my flim?

[@StephanieWhitson]

I'm enjoying this video and how you showed how you outlined. I think it would be great if you showed us one of your outline spreads but with pretty writing ;) Also, love your use of the word fudge.

[@AuthorSarahSutton]

Haha that might have to wait awhile until the pretty spreads don’t include spoilers!😉💕🎉

[@clarissa7338]

I'm honestly like a bit of both, so a plantser. Like I write a very rough outline, but then reoutline once I finish my first draft. Honestly, though, I can't wait to try this! I love your series, and I honestly would love to write one in the future.

[@AuthorSarahSutton]

I love that! I usually reoutline when I get to the next draft too-it’s so helpful!

[@anarchynerd838]

Same! I find that writing I might add more scenes that wasn’t in the original rough outline.

[@megandavis4244]

Random question lol but what kind of notebook do you use? I love the size and band of it!

[@AuthorSarahSutton]

I use a Moleskine in their large size! :)

[@gailc.m.victor]

Hi Sarah! I enjoyed watching your video! The simplicity of the outline is up my alley; at least pre-project. I personally would call myself a plantser: in that I can't outline everything up front, but I do have to have a plan going into scenes/arcs before I can actually write it. So... A rolling outline, of sorts. My process has morphed a lot in the past year, and I think how much I do up front will depend on the project as I go along, but at least at current, I started out in the planner range, and have been sliding into being more of a pantser. I've looked at a lot of outlining methods/structures, and I kinda mix and match different things I've learned to figure out to make a story that's unique and not formulaic. For the process of my current project, there are several levels of planning. So, as a note, my current project is a 4 book over-arching plot epic fantasy series. After a few drafts of the first book,, and my outline blowing up several times and reconfiguring, I've found this is the best way for me to combine my need to outline ahead of time, and not waste time planning something that won't work out. Currently, I'm working through the first draft of the second book. For book 3 and book 4, I know random things that happen in them, and I know where all of them end. (Knowing what I'm aiming for seems to be a major point for my writing process. Pre-start of book 2, I identified 4-6 major turning points in the novel, and sectioning the book into arcs. This took me about 2 weeks to figure out in full... well, twice really. I had to do this again after writing the first arc because, surprise, I found out the characters weren't going to follow my plan! The story is way better for it, and even if I had to re-write some of that first arc, I'm happy I did it. Then, at the start of writing each arc, I do a sort of chapter-by-chapter/scene-by-scene outline of the main thing that changes in any specific scene. What is the final goal/point and why is it in the book? How what happens in that chapter is influenced by the last, and how it influences the next. It's a bit more in detail, and again is about 5-8 chapters at once. I write about a chapter a week, so therefore these type of brainstorms happen about once a month, because I then re-evaluate anything that's changed about halfway through any given arc. Finally, right before writing any scene, I take 1-5 points of important things that happen in the chapter, depending on the length of the scene. A bunch of less important details happening together, or a short powerful turning point scene that I want to stand out on it's own. Sometimes, I discover what order is best while writing. I try to figure out the order ahead of time, but I'll know which one is the ending, and what all I need to touch on. Then I discover alongside my characters how the story goals; individual lines of dialog or hint drops while writing ^_^ And random other observation: I've found outlining in reverse (What needs to happen to get to the point that I want to) has been a big help instead of going from beginning to end in outlining. I work both ways, but pretty evenly. So, I would guess my method is close to the snowflake method, if I had to put a name to it? But it's just kind of chaotic, but I've learned to run with it, and am grateful my writing buddy is open to do this level of brainstorming with me. (She's a pantser who more-or-less just keeps a running outline in her head, and just discovery writes between points.) I wouldn't be able to do something this chaotic on my own. Also, I know this process is NOT for everyone, but it works for me so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Also.... wow that was long and I'm sorry. XD Hope this helps in some form!

[@JoeyPaulOnline]

I dont outline that much but I do need some guidelines as to where to go in the story when!

[@l.m.g.miller4318]

It was fun and insightful learning about your outlining process. I can't pants a novel to save my life. I get lost in my own story if I go in without a plan. I use the Save the Cat to outline, but I also cannot function while drafting if I've outlined too much. I need enough details to guide me through the story, but not so many details that I have no breathing room. And I like your idea of writing working blurbs. For some reason, I find the thought of writing blurbs equally or sometimes even more daunting than drafting. But, if I were to write a working blurb before drafting, I feel like that might take away some of the stress of writing that final blurb once the story is complete. Happy writing!

[@AuthorSarahSutton]

I feel like it’s so funny that we like structure but not TOO much structure!! I’m the same way!😂🎉💕

[@BonnieDragonKat]

Your second plot is the Scene and Sequal plot that was taught by Dwight Swain.

[@AuthorSarahSutton]

Awesome!! I just found out too that Vivien Reis had talked about it in a blog post once, and that was most likely where I saw it initially, but that's awesome to know that Dwight Swain taught it!!😃

[@katiemarie1348]

This was such a good video!! Yes you mentioned outlining and it summoned me! 😂🤩 I’m the on in between one planster? Is that what it’s called

[@AuthorSarahSutton]

Haha I love it! And yes, I think so!😃🎉

[@CelesteJoan]

I've been a hard-core pantser, but hVe recently been really interested in plotting. I feel like it would be a lot less stressful with the way my books fit together while writing. But I love still discovering new things while writing.

[@AuthorSarahSutton]

I'm the same way! That's why I stopped doing the chapter by chapter outlines, because I LOVE discovering the nitty gritty things!

[@CharlieeWriter]

This is prob one of my fav videos of yours. I have never tried picture boards because my vibe changed throughout my novel haha. At what point do u write your elevator pitches?

[@AuthorSarahSutton]

Ooh, I’m so happy you liked it! I did my elevator pitches in the beginning before I even outlined the story-it helped me get a clearer idea of where I wanted to go with it!

[@CharlieeWriter]

@@AuthorSarahSutton ohhh okay!!

[@HaleyWrites]

Thanks for sharing!! I’m in the process of becoming a plotter too haha 😆 For awhile I just wrote down bullet points of what I wanted to happen after discovery writing the first half of a book. Now I’m trying to outline more so I don’t run into the problem of inconsistency and having plot holes lol😂😂 so I’ll discovery write short stories, but when it comes to novels I need outlines haha otherwise I’m a mess! But I think my plotting is still pretty minimalistic to what’s out there! I just gotta keep experimenting until I find what works for me :)

[@AuthorSarahSutton]

Inconsistencies were my hardest thing! Experimenting until you find what works is a great idea. I can’t wait to see what sticks!

[@HaleyWrites]

@@AuthorSarahSutton Thanks!! Me too hahax