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Hi guys and gals. Am I the only one that does outlines for every article I write? I used to use MS Office Outline mode and then switched to Open Office since my ancient computer needs all the memory it has and MS just killed it. OO doesn't have an outline mode and I really missed that.

Now I use a freeware program called freemind. It makes "mind maps" which translate to outlines when you use the export function.

I'm a rambling sort of guy. So my outlines tend to be really detailed. For me it works great.

What other tricks do y'all got up your sleeve?

-Phil

All through school, my teachers told me to write an outline first. I have never been able to do it. I usually ended up writing the paper and THEN writing the outline from it to satisfy the teacher. It might have something to do with my being first and foremost a fiction writer. I generally just sit down and write away, going whichever way the characters takes me. Of course you can't do that in an article since it has a specific structure, but I never could get into the habit of making an outline. The closest I can come to it is to start with the title, then come up with subject headings and then filling them in. If I don't like the way it flows, I'll move the sections around till I'm satisfied.

I'm sure the more disciplined writers around here do use some form of outlining. I'm curious to see if and how they do this.

Debbi

Oh hell noes. If I did that, 1 article would take me 5 hours. LOL

I have a little system now. I have notepad open so when I come up with keyword ideas I write them in notepad. Then, I write out my article and just keep going without worrying about grammar. Then, I go back a few days later and proof it. Usually, I add about 100 words during the proofing process. I also read it out loud. I have never used an outline even for important school papers. I usually come up with ideas as I'm writing, so an outline would be too stuffy for me. I rearrange stuff during the proofing process.

Heh. I like freemind better than the old MS office outliner. It lets you get as detailed as you want or not. And, since a mind map is graphical the perspective is different. Not stuffy I don't think. I also use voice recognition software to dictate things. I actually blogged that one because I was so amazed.

I think the way outlines used to be taught in school is completely counter-intuitive to the way your mind actually works when you're writing. When I was teaching english comp, I trained my students to freewrite or mindmap first, THEN go through their rough draft and make an outline from it. When they looked at their outlines they could easily see how they needed to move sections around or add more info. An outline is a great tool for editing, not so much for pre-writing, IMHO.

On the other hand sometimes it's quicker to first jot down the key points you want to cover, and then flesh each one into a paragraph...and what is that but an outline? So I guess I do use outlines as a first step sometimes...

Antonia,

My thoughts exactly!

I wonder if you would share your pen name with us? I looked for Antonia but nothing came up.

Debbi

Oh sure Debbi, my username is cashew2501. What's yours?

Thanks, Antonia! Now I can see all your articles and learn from you

My pen name is DM Gutierrez, not very creative I know.

Debbi

Oh that's who you are...I've seen several of your articles on the recently posted page!...In the spirit of procrastination, I just ran off to stalk you instead of writing...

Love your pigs article, too funny, bet Mr Top Ten snaps that up in a minute.

Ok, it is bedtime in my timezone, GET OFF THE FORUMS ANTONIA.

Thanks, Antonia!

I'm sure you're in bed fast asleep now so you won't see this till tomorrow (really? you hve that much self-discipline ?), but I checked out your profile as well. I LOVE your embarrassing job interview article. I laughed all the way through it. Shall we call you Eager Beaver from now on? I especially liked the glass-shattering incident; I can't believe you were billed for that.

That pigs artciel was fun to write. Actually I'm finding this Top 10 request a real boost to my writing urge. So many ideas, so little time.... Well, as I've said before I have nothing but time, so it's no hardship for me, more of an opportunity to meet that 50 article goal by the 6th!

My Top 10 Toast Toppers article sold this morning. Speaking of toast, it's almost time for lunch here in New Mexico...*drifting toward the kitchen*...

Debbi

Congrats to you both, Debbi & Antonia - I just saw both of your articles sold!
Emma

[bad pun]
Allow me to outline the situation. Debbi and Antonia have sold another article. YeeHa!
[/bad pun]

Now, Y'all do know what time it is right?

It's Happy Dance Time!

Thanks, Eek and Phil!

I sold two articles actually: Famous Pigs and Favorite Chicken Dishes

I just love that client! Not just becuase he/she buys the articles so quickly, but because I am really enjoying writing them. Where else does anyone care what kind of toppings I like to put on my toast?

Phil, if you give that Happy Dance every time someone around here sells an article, those little critters are going to get pretty exhausted! Everyone seems to be doing so well lately. And weren't we just saying the other day that things seemed slow?

Debbi

Thanks everyone! Ditto on loving this client, Debbi--it is so much fun to use an easy constraint like this one where you have a specific structure but can fill it with pretty much anything. AND it doesn't hurt that the client snaps them up either

It does seem like business is good all around. Every time I go to the Recently Sold page a couple more seem to have been added.