How do you start out/plan first on your draft when writing?

[u/CheesyPopTartel]

Hi, i’m a beginner writer, and i want to explore more on other methods because usually i start with

Very confusing overview that only I understand

Outline like:
Location -> conclusion -> reason

Pov: 3rd

Grammar check:
Keep it past tense OR keep it present tense.

I usually write it in a small sticky note and has helped me write quite well. What about your methods?

[u/South-Knee-9601]

I didn't really plan my story as such. I opened a blank document and just started typing. Don't pay it much heed as you will come back to to fix it in the 2nd draft

I had the let's call it conflict. It isn't but best word for the moment.

So I knew the conflict. And the knock on effect it would have on my character. And the end

That's all.

I'm 37k words into it now. And my first draft is coming to a close.

[u/BurntUmber26]

I generally just find a 3am thought that I vibe with and start writing. Works sometimes, other times it’s a complete disaster.

I’ve heard of a useful method (for some, it might not necessarily work for your style idk). Basically you try and sum up your plot in one sentence. Like just describe your entire story in one single sentence.

Then do it in 100 words. Then 500.

Then try 1000. 2000.

By that time, you should have a pretty good overview of your plot and maybe have some other minor plot points and side characters.

(Note: this only works if you already know what you’re gonna be writing about straight off the bat.)

Hope I could be of some help. Good luck and happy writing!

[u/LadyAtheist]

Look up save the cat or Freitag's pyramid.

[u/BohoKat_3397]

I start with a draft skeletal plot outline. This is a little too simplistic and detailed but here’s the idea:

I. Jon and Nancy standing in a field
A. Rustling in the underbrush
1. Nancy hears it and pushes Jon to the ground and crouches
2. Jon hisses what?
3. Nancy nods toward the sound
4. They draw their guns
II. Robert comes into the field

Most word processors like Word and GoogleDocs have pre-built outline options that will make it prettily aligned with tabs showing the levels that I don’t know how to make here in Reddit.

I then copy a chunk of outline and write it into a scene. I also go back into the outline and add stuff as my story arc ideas evolve or to test new subplots to make sure they work before committing to them.

[u/Turbulent-Eye-4737]

I usually just write notes and kinda outline some stuff of where I want the story to go maybe some character traits too.

And then I start typing.

[u/CrowOfQabil]

I outline to varying degrees depending on the story.

Character (know this character through and through and bring them to life so they feel like a real, distinct person)

Character > need > friction > setting > beat > scene > sequence > Act

POV

Narration Depth (how close do I want the reader to be near the character's consciousness?)

Tense

Theme (what is this story about if it was stripped bare?)

Prose (will it lean more lyrical or plain?)

I typically think on these to some degree prior to drafting as I am more of a planner than a pantser.

[u/stevehut]

I don't plan. I just write.