I’ve talked about how you can save a character idea by writing a character sketch, backstory, or scene. I’ve posted scenes written to capture the personalities, motivations, and aesthetics of a villain and an antihero that I came up with. What about when you have an idea for a full narrative arch? For a short story, you can get away with a summary; for anything longer than that, you also need an outline.
Example Summary
Two agents sneak into a high society event and pose as guests. One is there to assassinate an inventor working on a dangerous weapon. The other is there to meet with a dignitary who might be sympathetic to the cause. Twist: these turn out to be the same person. Should the agents kill the inventor before the weapon is completed? Or try to get the weapon on their side? They have to decide fast when another group tries to kidnap the inventor.
Example Outline
1- Sympathetic guard lets allies into the complex.
2- Agents have to sneak past a guard within the complex.
3- They put on disguises and enter the event.
4- Socializing to pinpoint targets.
5- Final fight with the group of kidnappers.
In a novel outline, each key event could require several chapters. While I’m writing, I will save ideas for later scenes in the outline: lines of dialogue, details to remember, information I want to reference, etc. Here’s what that might look like (This isn’t for a real story, but it’s in the exact format of a point from the outline of my current novel.):
4. Plans sabotage. How can I make sure Otto knows I didn’t do it because of him, even though, technically, I am doing it because of him? Note: Thank you for showing me there’s more than one way to make a difference. I know my part. I promise to be smart about it.), call spy to give false lead. (Before anything can be built something else has to be destroyed, the land has to be cleared, and a foundation has to be laid. I HAVE TO BE THE WREAKING BALL. Pete’s right. The old adage.) Realizes other option. Has to rush to seize the opportunity.
“There something I have to do out-of-town. If Otter comes by, tell him I believe him, and tell him not to call. If I’m not back in a month, then I’m never coming back.”
“Damn, buy, what have you gotten yourself into?” Sarah “You make it sound like you gonna die!”
“No. It’s just something I have to finish. I don’t know where it will lead. I’ll try to call before the end of the month. You can tell Otto that too.”
I hope this peek behind the curtain helps you save and utilize your own ideas.
