Outlining After the Draft: How to Use Outlines as Revision Tools

There are lots of good ways to revise, but one very successful way is to create an outline of your scenes after the manuscript is done. In this class, we'll begin by identifying the elements of a narrative that drive the story forward, learning how to spot problem areas like repeated scenes, lagging moments, and lazy episodes. Then students will create an outline (using index cards) of their scenes. In a guided exercise/workshop environment, we will hone the outline so that students can use it to create a stronger story. Students should bring a draft of a story or a section of a novel draft as well as a pack of index cards. The story or novel section doesn't have to be printed out as it will be for students' use only.