how i outline (spoilers: i don't)

if you find outlining hard, perhaps you might try writing a synopsis instead? it gives the same sort of information, if you need to send it to a big bang partner, and i find it helps channel your focus into creating cohesion at the planning stage, rather than just progression. the way i do synopses (there's no right method!) is to think of it a bit like a movie, and summarise each key scene, making notes of location. and most importantly, i don't treat the synopsis as sacrosanct: key scenes are just that, and do not preclude the adding of other scenes or indeed subplots.

so, as an example (since it's come up on discord), i'm showing off my outline synopsis for my wolfstarbigbang fic from last year: Shadowplay. of course, there are spoilers beneath the cut! i hope this can help you out for outlining ideas, if you're stuck.

( read on! )