In an age dominated by digital tools and technologies, it might seem archaic to resort to pen and paper or pencil and paper (in my case) for any task. Yet, when it comes to writing this book, crafting my outline manually has been instrumental in keeping my project on track. Let’s dive into why this seemingly old-fashioned method could be the secret ingredient to writing success.

Rediscovering the Art of Manual Outlining

The Tangibility Factor

There’s something inherently tangible about using pen and paper that tech just can’t replicate. I have a more flexible outline in Scrivener. This is more of a trajectory of the story. But first, let me catch you up. I am a draft the story first and then outline kind of person. This is the seventh story I’ve written and the seventh time I’ve done it. I think I may just have to embrace it.

Nevertheless, after drafting the story, I drew up an outline of what each act in the story should have been. I then went into more detail and added the beats each act would have. That got me through act one. I feel like opening the story is fairly easy, while the middle and closing are hard. So after I got to a point where I needed more detail and didn’t necessarily want to draft chapters, only to delete them later, I outlined each chapter and the scenes that would be part of those chapters. This has kept me writing in the trajectory I want and keeps me from going on random tangents and losing focus.

For me, the act of writing out my outline manually makes my book’s framework feel more concrete. Each chapter breakdown, character arc, and plot twist becomes palpably real as I scribble down my thoughts. It also helps me remember where I am in the story, after being gone for a while. I have created the habit of opening my notebook to see what the previous chapter was supposed to be, then reading the outline of the next chapter, and then going to Scrivener to see what I have there. This refreshes my mind, plucks me back into the story and the characters and helps me to write.

Slowing Down to Speed Up

Yet, in our fast-paced world, slowing down can seem counterintuitive. I know it did for me. I constantly fight with the capitalistic devil on my shoulder that wants me to be productive at the expense of my health. However, the jokes on El Diablito, because the deliberate pace of handwriting, forces me to process my thoughts more thoroughly. This slow digestion is crucial when plotting a book; it gives me the space to explore different angles of my story and ensures that I don’t rush through complex plot points or character development. This deeper level of thinking fosters a richer, more well-developed story If I may add.

The Psychological Benefits of Handwriting

Enhanced Memory Retention

But let me give you some science. Studies suggest that handwriting enhances memory retention. When I write my outlines by hand, I find that I remember plot details and character traits much better than if I were typing them. This retention is invaluable throughout the writing process, as it reduces the time I spend revisiting my notes and allows me to write intuitively and keep progressing in my writing.

Boosting Creativity

There’s also a certain freedom in handwriting that seems to unlock my creativity. The physical act of writing, the feel of the paper, the ink flowing onto the page—all of these sensory experiences seem to open my mind and allow creative thoughts to flow more freely. I felt like I was in a fever dream when I began the chapter-by-chapter outline of the second and third acts. This has led to some of my best character connections and breakthroughs in the story.

I love to read and write character-driven stories. In my stories, characters drive the plot, so you will see a lot of emphasis on them. Part of my outlines is a note of where each character’s relationships are with each other. For example, Isabella and Clara are not the most amicable at the beginning, so on each outline, I note how much their relationship has progressed. In the end, they will be like comadres, but at the beginning and the middle, well, no.

If This Sounds Like Something You Want To Do, Here Are Some Practical Tips for Manual Outlining

Start with the Characters

I begin with a character profile on ALL the characters. I go as far as their astrological signs and the traits and shadow traits they display based on that zodiac sign. Tom Prescott, the antagonist, is a Leo. His shadow side is filled with egotistical behavior. I added how each character relates to the other character and the projection of those relationships. I find that the character profiles almost write the entire outline because by understanding at how these characters live and interact with one another, the story has already been written per se.

Draw the Big Picture

Begin with the broad strokes of your story: the beginning, middle, and end. Don’t worry about filling in all the details at first. Outline the main plot points and then expand from there.

Add Character Beats

Now, go back to your character profiles, look at your main character based on who they are and where they are headed, and add the beats. You can look at the secondary characters and act their ARC through the beats. Remember, secondary characters are there because they are connected to the main character, not because they have their own separate storyline. If that is the case, give that character their own book! Anyway, I add moments where secondary characters connect physically or introspectively with the main character. For example, in the scene I just finished writing, Clara is at the hospital initially, but we don’t see that because Clara is not the main character; Isabella is. But we see Isabella talking about Clara going to the hospital, so we know what’s happening to this secondary character, and we know this because this will affect Isabella later on and help her to be more empathetic towards this character whom she misjudged.

Keep It Flexible

One of the great advantages of a handwritten outline is its flexibility. This is why I write mine in pencil. Yesterday, I erased a bunch of stuff that I had already inserted into a previous scene, so I had no need to rehash that situation. Still, there was something I needed to add to subtly fill in Clara’s back story and set up the next chapter, which will be when Tom asks Isabella to come back home.

Conclusion: Embracing the Manual Method

Writing a book is no small feat, and finding strategies that genuinely help manage the enormity of such a project is crucial. For me, manual outlining has been a game-changer. It keeps me organized, enhances my memory, boosts my creativity, and, ultimately, keeps me on track. If you’re struggling with your writing process, why not try outlining manually? Sometimes, old school really is the best school.