SUSAN TIPPETT BRAITHWAITE

It’s been a while (a really long while) since I’ve done an update post for my writing progress. That’s mainly been down to life getting in the way of writing.

In the last month or so, I’ve taken steps to remedy that—pretty much bahookie in chair and head down kind of steps.

What I’m Working On:

I’m back to working on the outline for Deniable Unit #1. Also, I finally have a working title for DU1: Working the Asset.

Outlining Method

The outlining method I’m using is called Iterative Outlining, a method created by H. R. D’Costa.

A quick reminder of what iterative outlining is: it’s like doing all the developmental editing that usually happens after the story is written, but at the outlining stage—in three phases.

There’s a lot of work upfront, and it seems like it’s neverending, but it’s worth it. So far, I’ve saved a whole lot of time by fixing a plot issue I hadn’t even noticed was there. One that would have cost far more time editing at the end.

The Final Stage

At last, I’m on the final stage of iterative outlining, called the working outline. This one consists of seven editorial passes:

1. Plot
2. Structure
3. Premise
4. Delight
5. Four Workhorses
6. Character
7. Odds and Ends

Progress

As of today, I’m 70% of the way through the editorial pass for the plot. Woohoo!

My progress will pick up steam as I work through all the passes, and I’ll share how it’s going here on the blog.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you’ll join me as I get ever closer to typing THE END.