Uploaded August 2021 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
It's time to start writing a new book, and because I haven't been brave enough to completely pants a project yet, the first step is outlining it. Over the past couple of years, I've created a tradition where I trial three new plotting methods when I start a new project. This time, though, I decided to cherry pick my favourite outlining exercises, including:
- The story core from Take Off Your Pants by Libbie Hawker
- The beat sheet and board from Save the Cat by Blake Snyder
- The structure from Story Engineering by Larry Brooks
- Dan Harmon's Story Circle, for filling in the Story Engineering structure
It took over a month, but now I have a sort of outline for me new book! Next step - writing it 😅
QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMENTS:
- What's your favourite plotting and outlining method? Let me know!
TIME STAMPS:
2:42 - Take Off Your Pants story core
9:16 - Save the Cat beat sheet
19:12 - Random thoughts and reflections on the beat sheet
24:35 - Story Engineering structure
28:50 - Starting again because I packed all my notes 😅
33:46 - Story Circle (and circles, and circles...)
38:21 - Save the Cat board
39:25 - Closing thoughts
BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:
- Take Your Pants Off by Libbie Hawker amzn.to/2AMP7dI
- Save the Cat by Blake Snyder amzn.to/2oqanU7
- Story Engineering by Larry Brooks amzn.to/2nrnx2L
RELEVANT VIDEOS AND PLAYLISTS:
- Plotting playlist (excuse the terrible video quality at the beginning - my iPhone was not up to the task of authortube) - youtube.com/watch?v=TsPIBG3Kir4&list=PLlUUfy9MJDuQ0UgRqD5V20e3UvU0BSPZm&ab_channel=JPWrites
- Tyler Mowery's channel - youtube.com/channel/UCFnskmQu5NjjJ2rooCSF7tw
FIND ME ONLINE:
Instagram: instagram.com/jp.writes
Website: jpwrites.co
Nanowrimo: nanowrimo.org/participants/jpwrites
#writing #outlining #savethecat
It's time to start writing a new book, and because I haven't been brave enough to completely pants a project yet, the first step is outlining it. Over the past couple of years, I've created a tradition where I trial three new plotting methods when I start a new project. This time, though, I decided to cherry pick my favourite outlining exercises, including:
- The story core from Take Off Your Pants by Libbie Hawker
- The beat sheet and board from Save the Cat by Blake Snyder
- The structure from Story Engineering by Larry Brooks
- Dan Harmon's Story Circle, for filling in the Story Engineering structure
It took over a month, but now I have a sort of outline for me new book! Next step - writing it 😅
QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMENTS:
- What's your favourite plotting and outlining method? Let me know!
TIME STAMPS:
2:42 - Take Off Your Pants story core
9:16 - Save the Cat beat sheet
19:12 - Random thoughts and reflections on the beat sheet
24:35 - Story Engineering structure
28:50 - Starting again because I packed all my notes 😅
33:46 - Story Circle (and circles, and circles...)
38:21 - Save the Cat board
39:25 - Closing thoughts
BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:
- Take Your Pants Off by Libbie Hawker amzn.to/2AMP7dI
- Save the Cat by Blake Snyder amzn.to/2oqanU7
- Story Engineering by Larry Brooks amzn.to/2nrnx2L
RELEVANT VIDEOS AND PLAYLISTS:
- Plotting playlist (excuse the terrible video quality at the beginning - my iPhone was not up to the task of authortube) - youtube.com/watch?v=TsPIBG3Kir4&list=PLlUUfy9MJDuQ0UgRqD5V20e3UvU0BSPZm&ab_channel=JPWrites
- Tyler Mowery's channel - youtube.com/channel/UCFnskmQu5NjjJ2rooCSF7tw
FIND ME ONLINE:
Instagram: instagram.com/jp.writes
Website: jpwrites.co
Nanowrimo: nanowrimo.org/participants/jpwrites
#writing #outlining #savethecat
