An independent journal of story production
From a story question to a useful production outline.
Choose a short narrative idea and give it a clear movement. Work through the sequence with rough notes before committing effort to a polished plan.
01
Name the central change
Write the situation at the beginning and the difference at the end. Identify whose experience gives that change its meaning.
If the idea contains several unrelated movements, choose one to develop first. A smaller clear outline is easier to examine than a large summary with no centre.
02
Give each scene a purpose
For each proposed scene, record what changes and what action makes that change visible. Check the order in which the audience receives essential information.
Remove repeated scene purposes or give the repetition a deliberate new role. A scene should add a distinct part of the narrative movement.
03
Attach the practical questions
List the location, objects, people, or conditions the scene appears to require. Mark what is known and what still needs investigation.
When a practical limit suggests a change, return to the scene purpose before choosing a replacement. Preserve the reason for the decision in the outline.
04
Review one draft at a time
Read what is actually on the page and note where the intended change becomes unclear. Ask for feedback on a specific question.
Choose a focused revision, save the previous version, and compare the result. Record what became clearer and which issue deserves the next pass.