Great advice! I'm struggling with repeated dialogue, scenes, continuity on my first Novel and trying to clean it up. Chapter summaries aren't helping me. This is just what I need.
I've probably missed the window for responses here, but I keep wondering how the researched portions of The Year of the Horses showed up on your beat sheet.
I’ve never done this but I’m familiar with them from reading film/ video scripts in a previous life. I think this is exactly what I need to declutter my mind and gain clarity on next steps of my memoir. Thanks for sharing!
I love that you reprinted this from Medium, because I think it's soooo useful to writers of all genres, but especially fiction writers. Helps you immediately see where there's dead space, where the plot accelerates too quickly and misses important things too. Always enjoy your posts, thank you.
This sounds similar to Jennie Nash's "Blueprint for a Book" process and the "inside outline"-- but going even deeper. Would love to hear your thoughts if they're comparable to you?
hmm, interesting. i've never done this, but am wrapping up the first draft of a new novel so might try it! part of me is skeered (more work?!) but i get how this could save time and energy in the long run when revising.
Generally I use it as a problem solver, so if you feel confident with what you have, you might not need it! I use it when I need clarity, when things are feeling messy and out of control. (Or if I know there's a problem with the material, but I don't know exactly *where*.)
For a big-picture scenario, would it make sense to write out the most important beats by section, rather than paragraph? Like a variation on an outline that I’d then compare with my manuscript?
Oh gosh yes- I would never do a beat sheet paragraph by paragraph unless it was flash fiction. That would actually defeat the purpose of "beats"- which are the broad strokes, the most essential plot points. You could do chapter by chapter (or section by section) trying to limit yourself to 3 beats per.
Thank you so much for this! A beat sheet is new to me, but this is perfect timing for where I am in drafting - excited slash a little scared to apply it.
Is a "beat" the same as a logline? I believe both are used in screenwriting. I know loglines have helped me in the past.
No, a beat is an action point. A logline is a summary of your project in one sentence. I’ve written about both: https://courtneymaum.substack.com/p/the-logline-as-a-revision-tool
https://courtneymaum.substack.com/p/how-to-write-a-beat-sheet-to-tame
Great advice! I'm struggling with repeated dialogue, scenes, continuity on my first Novel and trying to clean it up. Chapter summaries aren't helping me. This is just what I need.
I'm glad! Hope it helps.
This was so helpful as I try to tame 50+ chapters in my draft 4 into a clear cause-and-effect narrative. Thank you!
Ooof! You got this!
I've probably missed the window for responses here, but I keep wondering how the researched portions of The Year of the Horses showed up on your beat sheet.
You haven't missed the window!
I’ve never done this but I’m familiar with them from reading film/ video scripts in a previous life. I think this is exactly what I need to declutter my mind and gain clarity on next steps of my memoir. Thanks for sharing!
I love that you reprinted this from Medium, because I think it's soooo useful to writers of all genres, but especially fiction writers. Helps you immediately see where there's dead space, where the plot accelerates too quickly and misses important things too. Always enjoy your posts, thank you.
Thank you, and thank you for sharing via Notes!
This sounds similar to Jennie Nash's "Blueprint for a Book" process and the "inside outline"-- but going even deeper. Would love to hear your thoughts if they're comparable to you?
I'm not familiar with Jennie Nash nor the inside outline.
She's worth finding out about--brilliant.
hmm, interesting. i've never done this, but am wrapping up the first draft of a new novel so might try it! part of me is skeered (more work?!) but i get how this could save time and energy in the long run when revising.
Generally I use it as a problem solver, so if you feel confident with what you have, you might not need it! I use it when I need clarity, when things are feeling messy and out of control. (Or if I know there's a problem with the material, but I don't know exactly *where*.)
ah, thank you for making that distinction! yes, totally makes sense too.
For a big-picture scenario, would it make sense to write out the most important beats by section, rather than paragraph? Like a variation on an outline that I’d then compare with my manuscript?
Oh gosh yes- I would never do a beat sheet paragraph by paragraph unless it was flash fiction. That would actually defeat the purpose of "beats"- which are the broad strokes, the most essential plot points. You could do chapter by chapter (or section by section) trying to limit yourself to 3 beats per.
Thanks!
YAY! Thank you for moving this over!
To quote the Princess Bride, "As you wiiiiiiiiiish!" ;)
This is new to me as well. I'm working on an essay that I've gotten stuck on and I think this will really help. Thank you!
Thank you so much for this! A beat sheet is new to me, but this is perfect timing for where I am in drafting - excited slash a little scared to apply it.
Let us know how it goes! And thanks for sharing on Notes.