how I brainstorm + outline my books 🧠 (updated)

✨ this is a general overview of my current book brainstorming process, which is constantly evolving.

every project (and writer) is different so this process is pretty fluid. keep in mind that for some writers, "brainstorming" involves the writing itself. the most important thing is that you approach your stories in a way that makes you excited - sometimes that means skipping these steps entirely!

timestamps:
0:00 intro
0:42 caution - this might not work for you
2:19 ideation phase
4:41 brain dump
7:13 organizing the chaos
10:08 writing a blurb
12:04 plot beats
14:02 characters
17:09 final organization - web method
20:12 side characters
22:06 writing a synopsis
23:06 outlining
25:19 write your book!!

_____
/ about /
i'm kris (she/her), a speculative fiction writer documenting my writing process, ongoing projects and chatting about craft ☀️

/ where to find me /

🎧 music:

#authortube #writing

[sincerelyvee]

what would us writers do without our notes app?😩🥰 the mirror board looks so helpful, i've never seen that before! loved this so much <3

[AdamFishkin]

Embracing the chaos is wonderful!
Roping up ideas until you have enough to turn them into a fleshed-out story is actually the outlining approach that seems to work the best. Maybe because it's less checking boxes and more connecting the dots ... which brings me joy because I get closer to having the plot figured out BEFORE writing it.
Beat sheets, on the other hand, have a weird effect on my writing process. I had to break myself from that step because for some reason it would always trigger my procrastination, knowing I could finish a chapter later since all the beats were written down ... then resuming the work and realizing I'd forgotten the nuance and special details I intended to put behind those beats. For me, the regular scene outline suffices.
For me the characters always come first. Especially in theatre, you as a playwright have to know you're creating characters that can feasibly be performed by a human being. So you "cast" the roles in your head: figuring out the size of the cast so you're not spreading yourself thin; figuring out how to orchestrate the characters against each other and find relationships that generate top-notch drama and/or comedy.
Quote-unquote "likability" is also very dependent on context. As a rule of thumb you're going to place the major characters in a variety of situations, and not all of those situations will cast them in a good light unless you're writing a saint. Just as they won't always be framed as flaming trash unless you're writing Harvey Weinstein.

[everythingexploration]

My process for the book I'm writing right now consists of me drafting and brainstorming as I go. I have a revolving outline and as I get more solid ideas on plot events and emotional beats I'll add them to my outline, which is separates into arcs with each arc having a few plot beats that span over a few chapters. Like about 1-4 chapters, although how many chapters I'll actually have by the end I don't really know.
But for any plot beats I know will have a lot of chapters I like to start with 4 chapters that follow the 4 act structure (the western and japanese one) this has really help me get a sense of pacing.
I'm also editing my book as I'm writing so I actually have two drafts: a 0 draft where I'm writing my ideaa down for the very first time and a Draft 1 where I go over wheat ive written and revise it, fleshing out the ideas and dialogue better. Still a mess but I find going back to edit what ive written helps inform me on what to write next or what to write in between my 'main' scenes in the chapter.
I'm still working on the book and your video was defintely helpful in giving me some new ideas on how I want to brainstorm. Great video Kris!

[Evybooks]

I love that you're restarting to write ''Nightward'' again!

[PsychOnlineAldrian]

As a newish/ discovery writer, I'm always looking to try new practices.

Of all the good stuff you shared, I'll definitely be making a brain dump document.

Thank you, Kris MF for being thorough and gracious about sharing your process!

[kelleyiswriting]

KRIS I AM SO IMPRESSED. I do NONE of this before I start drafting hahahah oMGGG lmao I'm laughing so hard. I find that I do something *similar* to these steps after the zero draft/first draft! I love hearing you talk about your process!! I can hear you talk about writing all

[diagram_girl]

So far this is the most helpful video I've encountered on the development/pre-writing part of writing a novel. I've been trying to discovery write and ran into so many issues with my stories. Watching this video helped me understand how the planning can expand the creative work of writing rather than constricting it (as I felt when I previously tried to adhere to a strictly structured beat sheet). I replay parts of this video a lot during the planning phase now. Thank you for sharing in such detail!

[indigo]

Wow, this is perfect timing. I want to plan a book until uni starts again and I'm looking for inspiration how to start!

[andesears]

Your idea of having a chapter be structured with a beginning, middle, and end is so helpful! This video was so great! I love hearing the process of other writers. With my very first manuscript, I outlined in a ton of detail and it basically flopped because I left no room for my brain to be creative or get to know the characters as I wrote. Whereas with my second manuscript (my current WIP), I outlined a very loose structure of the overall story arch/conflict and have basically pantsed the chapter by chapter movement of the book from there. For some reason, that method has worked wayyyy smoother for me!

[astoldbydiamond]

I'm currently outlining a fantasy book, and this video makes me feel good about the steps I've taken so far! I've been questioning if I'm "doing it right" even though I know there truly is no right/wrong way. Still feels good to have my brain process validated lol your videos 🖤Would love to see any advice you have on worldbuilding for fantasy!

[ruthmorgan]

Loved this video, especially since i'm planning to jump back into a wip i'd put on hiatus❤

[lynndjung]

Fantastic video as always Kris!! I love your writing craft chats, they refill my creative well so effectively <3

[nofreakshow]

Wow! It's like you are in my head! Your early methods of the story writing process EXACTLY mirrors my own! Never have I heard anyone actually put into words how the 1st wisps of story begin to evolve inside my head. The part where I deviate from you is when you use a 4 act structure & bullet points. Once I complete my idea dump stage, I do something similar to the Snowflake Method, what YouTuber Carl Duncan calls a CRYSTALIZER. Interesting to hear your methods.

[TrinitysFantasyWriting]

Oh you are so knowledgeable! I literally never comment on YouTube videos like this is my first one EVER lol. I’m so glad I found your channel, you seem like a good person! And I was taking notes this whole video, so excited to put them to use! Thank you.

[alexlm]

I just came across your channel and I'm so glad I did!

I've been really struggling with sorting through my ideas and deciding which to keep, but this video is really helpful!

[Lara_Ameen]

I am a pantser for novels, novellas, and short stories, but I outline my screenplays (pilots)—well, some of them! 😂 But this is such an interesting process! I also have a brain dump document. For my current fantasy novel I’m revising and the horror novel I’m drafting, I’ve adapted the story from two pilots I’ve written, so I guess you can say the pilot is a partial outline and that really helps. Then I just write some ideas of where I think the plot should go next (past the pilot). I love learning about other writers’ processes, though! Thank you, Kris! 💜

[lauraortiz]

I fully recommend Scrivener for Outline. It doesn’t feel linear at all, you should give it a try! The chaos will be there though 😂

[mettabel]

Wow perfect timing. Thank you so much for the video, I really needed it ❤

[yasmin-ukgt]

thank you for sharing your process, it definitely makes me want to refine mine ❤

[ByJasmineDayton]

Not me clicking this video knowing *full well* I have never properly plotted a book in my life. Big time panser over here but I want to