outlines for revisions

If you haven't been converted to outlining before your first draft, I cannot stress enough that you will be lost and all in a tizzy without one.

But, even with an outline, it's so easy to get lose your way in your first draft and take fun little tangents that your outline did not plan for. It's okay because there is a thing to help you...

Another OUTLINE. Except this time, it's a reverse outline which sounds fancy but is actually super simple. I made one for NIGHT SOIREE and it's been the most helpful as I'm trying to find the plot and get my draft down from 116k WORDS to (currently) 102k (GOAL is below 100k before revisions).

1. Start the Reverse Outline with a very loose Synopsis and/or Practice Query. Focus on what your MC. What do they want? What stands in their way? How are they gonna get there? If it's multiple POV, write one paragraph for each character (NIGHT SOIREE somehow has 5 POVs oopsie). EX: Lord Umbra has been cursing towns for eighty years. Ever since his love was stolen away from their engagement soiree. At last, he has perfected the curse to recreate the night she disappeared. The sun will never rise again in Nyxville, and soon the Soiree will begin. This time, his love will return. If the dark magic he acquired for the curse doesn’t destroy him first.

2. Add each chapter to your outline, then as your re-reading take notes. Include each major scene in the chapter, summarize the chapter's purpose, and make notes/ask Future You lots and lots of questions about your character arcs, plot points, etc. This will be so USEFUL when you're going back to your second draft.

3. I also like to make note within my first draft to reference too.

4. I very much OVERWRITE in my first draft, so my second draft will have lots of cuts. This works well for me, but if you prefer more EXPANSION in your second draft, an outline will totally help you see what areas need add more!

5. That is HONESTLY it. Summarize your chapters. Start to look for plot holes, extraneous stuff to cut, places to expand, and it'll really make your second draft so focused.

Are you a reverse outliner? I'd love to hear what your process looks like!