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Early in our academic careers, we were introduced to one of the most fundamental writing rules: drafting. We would create little webs of connecting ideas and, although sloppy, they did a great job of instilling into our brains that writing requires planning. Did you know that there is an abundance of drafting methods out there for you to use? Aspiring and new writers may be looking for a method that works well for them. Experienced writers may already have a drafting technique or strategy that works for them, but we firmly believe that old dogs CAN learn new tricks. So, if you’re brand new to the writing scene or if you’re looking to enhance your drafting technique, this one’s for you! Some of the techniques we’ll be exploring are:
I. Outline Method
II. Discovery/Exploratory Method
III. Snowflake Method
IV. Three-Act Structure
V. Chapter-by-Chapter Method
VI. Nonlinear Method
VII. Fast Drafting Method
VIII. Visual Mapping Method
These are by no means the only methods you can use to draft your novel, but they’re nice stepping stones to get you familiar with drafting!
I. Outline Method
The outline method is the epitome of “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” In other words, this is a classic method that is used in all facets of writing: academic, professional, and personal.
Many people remember being assigned outlines in their high school English and Biology classes. If you haven’t been introduced to the outline method, no worries! It’s a classic and widely used format for a reason.
Since this outline is going to be used for your novel, that’s the example we’ll use. What do you already know you want to include in your novel, i.e. any plot points, character arcs, key scenes, etc? Use those main points as the topics to base your outline around. An outline can look a little like this:
Main Characters
a. Jesebelle Clover
b. Harrington Festerwood
c. Tracy Cardigan
Settings
a. Forbidden Woods
b. Tracy’s Estate
This is a loose example of what your outline can look like. You can add any points that are essential to your writing and can flesh it out as much as you’d like. Remember, this drafting method is meant to help you, so if you find yourself struggling, don’t be afraid to try out another style of drafting.
II. Discovery/Exploratory Method
This is typically what my middle school English teacher would call “Free Write.” This drafting method allows for a free flow of thought. What you’ll do is take a concept or character you want to use in your novel and just begin writing around it. It can be at the beginning, middle, or end of your novel, it doesn’t matter. This method is just to get you writing and creatively thinking about your novel.
It can be so easy to get stuck in a writer’s funk when writing your novel, so allowing your ideas to just flow without constraints can cause you to look at your novel through a different lens. Plus, it’s incredibly fun to create different scenarios for your characters and explore different possibilities within your novel. Though there may be some continuity errors, you can fix that when you’re editing and revising. Even if some of the ideas don’t make it to the final draft, aren’t you just happy to get it out of your brain and onto paper?
Be warned, when trying out this method your revision time may have to be extended than originally planned. The Discovery/Exploratory method might feel a little chaotic when first attempting it, but I think you’ll find it quite liberating.
III. Snowflake Method
This method has similarities to the Discovery/Exploratory technique, but there’s more strategy and structure. Rather than saying, “On your marks, get set, go!” and writing whatever you want for an hour or three, the Snowflake method requires you to take it slow. It is the drafting equivalent to “baby steps”.
First developed by Randy Ingermanson, the Snowflake method requires you to take something small and simple and gradually make it more intricate and complex. You’ll start with the middle of your snowflake, which will be a single-sentence summary of your story. As your single sentence turns into sentences, a paragraph, paragraphs, a page, and so on, you should add more details to make your story more complex. Similar to when you look at the edges of a snowflake and notice that it's more intricate in design compared to the middle.
IV. Three Act Structure
We know your novel is going to be way more complex than just three acts, but this is just a stepping stone to getting your novel started. What you’ll do is divide your novel into three acts - beginning, middle, and end - and use this as a guideline to plan key events, conflicts, and turning points for each act.
By doing this, you’re able to balance out your narrative. It’s also easier to work in three, smaller pieces rather than tackling the novel as a whole. Being able to focus on the three smaller parts will allow your novel to have equal amounts of attention, meaning your novel will be more consistent.
V. Chapter-by-Chapter Method
This method is self-explanatory but is a classic alongside the Outline method. With this method, you’ll take your novel chapter by chapter, establishing the main events, characters, and different settings in each chapter. This allows you to focus on one chapter at a time, ensuring that your chapter is fleshed out, polished, and has all the components you would like to include.
To make this method easier, you can combine this with the Outline method. You’ll create an outline for each chapter before you begin writing, which adds some extra structure and planning before you begin writing. A small tip with this method: remember that chapters can be different lengths! They don’t all have to be 20+ pages and it’s up to you to fill your chapters with what you think is necessary. Don’t be afraid to have fun with it!
VI. Nonlinear Method
Now this method is… chefs kiss … amazing but is definitely not made for everyone. Some prefer chronological writing and find it helps them organically develop the story. Other writers enjoy the excitement of playing with hypotheticals, different timelines, and multiple perspectives. This is your novel, so use your own judgment to decide what works for you!
With that being said, the nonlinear method of drafting your novel allows you to jump around as you see fit. You can switch from different time periods, different characters’ perspectives, or multiple different scenes. The world is your oyster! This is an experimental method of drafting that allows you to explore different scenarios and outcomes that you may not experience when writing chronologically. It can feel a bit hectic and intimidating, but it's a draft of YOUR novel. You can quite literally do anything you want!
VII. Fast Drafting Method
For the folks out there who have to time themselves in order to get anything productive done (me, too) this one’s for you! Being an independent writer, it can get grueling to force yourself to write when you know you need to, but you really don’t feel like it. How do we fix that?
Well, if it’s writer’s block you’re struggling with specifically, we have a blog post called “5 Ideas to Tackle Writer's Block in a Creative Way" to help you out! If it’s just the motivation you’re looking for, look no further. With this method, you’ll challenge yourself to complete your draft within a specific timeframe. You can give yourself a month or longer (you know yourself, make it realistic but also don’t be scared to push yourself) to finish a full draft of your novel.
This method emphasizes productivity and is a way to encourage yourself to finish your draft and finish it quickly. This isn’t a method that everyone can or wants to do - anxiety, am I right? - but can be beneficial to those who need it. Don’t focus too much on the quality of your draft, since that’s what the revising and editing stage are for, and just focus on getting your draft complete!
VIII. Visual Mapping Method
This method is reminiscent of those sloppy mind maps we would make in 5th grade but slightly better with age. You can utilize any visual method you would like, including mind maps, story/vision boards, or index cards to make connections and envision your novel. Being able to visualize your characters and see in your mind how different storylines are going to play out will make writing the novel much easier.
This technique is especially helpful for visual learners who work better through creating and seeing their creations in the world around them. It’s harder for some writers to simply start putting ideas into words. This method essentially creates a bridge from your mind to the paper.
Since this is the drafting period, don’t worry about being an artist and creating a masterpiece. Just use this as a fun and creative way to bring your story to life!
Take a Deep Breath…
We know that these are a lot of different methods (and there are many more) but don’t let that intimidate you. It’s difficult to mess up when you’re in the drafting stage, so do whatever feels natural for your writing style. These are only suggestions and you’re free to mix and match these different strategies to match your preferences. For all writers, new and experienced, don’t be afraid to try out different methods for your different novels. Who knows, you might find you prefer a writing technique you’d never think to try!
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