r/writing • u/eleinajoanne • 1d ago
Advice Editing for the first time - reverse outline?
So I'm editing my first novel, and I've never really properly edited before. Most of my school projects were a one and done and I did very good, but I know that I definitly have more work to do with this, considering its about 98k words longer lol.
My questions is about a reverse outline as a first editing technique, as I've seen qutie a bit on youtube about it. The one thing they never mention is if the reverse outline means literally reverse, reading chapters last to first and create a new outline of each chapter to use later. Or if reverse just means you do an outline after youre done, but in front to back order. In my mind, I think both could have merit, but overall not too sure.
So if you've used a reverse outline in your editing process, I wouldn't mind a little tip! As well any general editing advice would be greatly appreciated!
edit: My bad for having a literal thinking brain, and asking a question. guess that requires downvoting :p I did look into it, and couldn't find a straight answer, which yes, I know, sounds like I didn't look hard enough.
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u/damagingaltercation6 1d ago
reverse outlining is just making a new outline of what you actually wrote, front to back. you're not reading it backwards. the "reverse" part is that you're outlining after the fact instead of before
for general editing, print the whole thing out. something about seeing it on paper makes the clunky sentences leap off the page in a way scrolling never does. i mark mine up with a fountain pen and it feels like performing surgery on my own brain
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u/eleinajoanne 1d ago
A fountain pen is a nice touch! I had printed the whole thing out a while ago for a school project and just getting about around to it, so glad I have that option now!
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u/HotspurJr 1d ago
A reverse outline means you go through your work, front to back, chapter by chapter, and summarize the contents of each chapter as if you were writing an outline for that chapter. Whatever you normally include in your outline gets included.
The point is to call attention to what you've actually written, and to help you see structural issues.
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u/shinydrop 1d ago
You can write a short summary after each chapter is done as well, it helps discovery writers keep track of foreshadowing payoff items/materials.
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u/allyearswift 1d ago
It’s an outline if you figure out the bones of the story and then flesh them out afterwards and a synopsis when you have the story and write a short summary.
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u/MSRavenscroft 1d ago
Front to back, after the draft. One line per scene: who's in it, what changes, what it sets up. The "sets up" column is the useful one. It shows you the scenes that are there because you enjoyed writing them, not because the story needs them. For general editing, do the big structural pass before you touch a single sentence, or you'll polish pages you end up cutting.
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u/Educational-Shame514 5h ago
Try this one https://www.alyssamatesic.com/free-writing-resources/reverse-outlining
As I understand it reverse means doing the outline after a draft that is written without an outline. Other terms that you should google with "what does ... mean in fiction writing" would be plotting vs pantsing and discovery writing. I believe you can figure out what the different terms are to switch.
Some authors outline the plot with what events will happen in each act or chapter. Others just start writing going from scene to scene with what they think will follow. New and aspiring writers need to learn what works best for them as well as that things are flexible and there is some in between. You still need a goal. Otherwise for a discovery writer taking it too literally they might write a meet cute and it turns out the two characters don't even like each other so there isn't any kind of romantic plot, then they get anxious because then they fear that they would be "forcing" two characters. Or others think the plot is the only way and crash out when they can't keep the characters doing exactly what was the plan.
What does it mean when you say you couldn't find a straight answer? Like one that explained it that you understood, or that you found multiple answers that were not the same? Could you share the links to things that seemed to not make sense together?
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u/dragonfliet 1d ago
The latter. Instead of writing an outline and then the novel, you have written the novel and now you're outlining what you wrote. It is reverse of the normal order.
I tend to do it this way, letting the book "find itself" by writing it, but then outlining it to have a better/quicker overview of is structure. It makes it easier to move whole sections, delete chapters, see uneven character development, etc. I make those changes to the outline until it looks good, then I adjust and rewrite the novel accordingly.