Write a Short Story in a Weekend - CH 2
The Speed Outline.
Chapter 2: The Speed Outline
I know, I used to hate them too. What a bore for a pantser like myself, to be trailing clouds of glory from a vision and inspiration of what would surely be the greatest literary work of the century, yet having to stop and ground myself with an organizational tool from the dark ages. But I have found that even the most experienced writers always benefit from having some idea of where they are going before they start a journey.
Therefore, I recommend you make this step as quick and painless as you can. Use the simplest classic structure, such as the hero’s journey (Start, obstacle, growth, resolution), or the three-act structure, and start with the basic building blocks of setting, protagonist, conflict, and resolution.
Speed-sketch your scenes, one quick sentence for each.
As an example, let’s say your Act 1 Introduces the character and the problem. Then your Act 2 could show some escalation of the conflict, or you could introduce twists to what would be a normal, ho-hum plotline.
Finally, Act 3 Could resolve the problem and /or show character growth.
Speed Outlining for Success
Remember, your goal at this point is quickly to build a roadmap for your short story without overthinking it the way some of us are prone to do. A speed outline is not a detailed blueprint. It’s just a quick sketch of key elements. Use a 10-minute timer if you need to.
It is time to draft these elements. Who is the Main character? What do they want What Conflict stands in their way? The big "aha" or confrontation is the Climactic moment, and in the Ending, does the character win, lose, or change?
A speed outline is just a tool. It doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to exist."