Introduction
We sit down to consider the type of author you are, look at your brand, your writing style, and the book you're bringing to us.
We also look at your natural strengths and weaknesses.
Beats
We then choose the outline beat sheet best suited for your personality, your brand, and the genre. If we don't have one on-hand, we create one.
The biggest part of creating a sustainable indie author career is finding ways to destroy as many roadblocks, speed bumps, and procrastination parties as possible. This means finding different ways to manage your creative genius, and the most reliable way to do this is through outlines.
Outlines are for everyone. Though, there isn't a one-size-fits-all outline style because every author is unique. For instance, I’m a Heartweaving Mythmaker and I write best from ultra-basic outlines. My husband and my best friend who are both Wildscribes who need detailed outlines—but staged in chapter blocks that don’t get too far ahead of where they are in the writing process.
I've written thousands of outlines for hundreds of authors, many of whom are taking their books to the bestseller lists. When you add me to your team, understand you're in good hands.
The Process
Planning
We review your notes and any information you have provided about the story, where you want it to go, and locations you typically get stuck at.
We also look to support your weaknesses. There will be more focus on the areas you’re weakest in.
Create
We then set to work to create an outline base that will get you started.
Four Types of RIA outlines
We offer four types of outlines, each with different attributes and levels of detail. Each of these outline types works best for differing personalities and creative thinkers. Let's see which one works best for you.
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These outlines are for those who only need minor guidance. Frankie, for instance, is an ultra-basic author.
Chapter-by-chapter breakout
There are generally 1 - 3 sentences per chapter that include one plot, character, romance, or setting points.
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These outlines are for those who need a little guidance for each beat of the outline. They’re brief beats designed to provide guidance through the emotional or plot movement points only.
Chapter-by-chapter breakout
There are generally 4-6 bullets per chapter that include one plot, character, romance, or setting points.
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These outlines are for those who only need guidance, inspiration, and direction. In these, we describe the movement, how to get there, the parts that need to happen, and some details on how what needs to be experienced for the reader and the characters.
Chapter-by-chapter breakout
There are generally 1-2 paragraphs per chapter that include plot, character, romance, setting and character motivation points.
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These outlines are for those who only need guidance, inspiration, direction, motivation, and ongoing support. In these, we guide the author through the motivation, ensuring the author is inspired to write, through the obstacles so she/he understands how to overcome the difficulties, and where we need the chapter to end to alleviate expectations.
Chapter-by-chapter breakout
There are generally 3-4 paragraphs per chapter that include plot, character, romance, setting, character motivation, and author productivity points.
“I have engaged outlining services from Real Indie Author on several occasions for various levels of premades and customs and am always impressed. Frankie, Elly and Nicole communicate well, listen to my ideas and deliver excellent products. The forums and booking system make purchasing and organising booking slots simple and the team works hard to ensure their clients are always happy with the results. ”
Writing From An Outline
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The biggest hurdle when writing from an outline someone else wrote for you is your mindset. No one can understand how your muse works as well as you do. So, it can feel a bit uncomfortable at first, as if you're trying to shove your foot into someone else's glass slipper.
No matter if you use the ultra-basic or the ultra-detailed outline, we are not your ghostwriter. We’re not telling you what to write or how. The outline is a rough draft of a concept plotline. You, and only you, can turn the idea into a full-fledged story worth reading.
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A good outliner doesn't give you an outline you can then simply add words to. We craft an idea using the structures of your brand, market, and genre and then find ways to keep your muse inspired to write the entire book, even through the droopy middle.
Many authors go into outlining services with this preconceived notion that if they know how it ends, they’ll be bored with the story and won’t write it. If that’s you, we need to know because we have tricks to keep even your muse happy and writing. Our job is to keep you inspired from concept to the final page.
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An outline shouldn't be written to support your strengths while ignoring your weaknesses. An outline helps you maintain your energy output so you're not burning out as often or as long. You will find chapters that play to your strengths might be thinner, while chapters that focus on your weaknesses are more in-depth.
That is what a good outline is supposed to do.
Outlines are a time and energy management tool that should be used wisely.
Working With An Outliner
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Flexibility is a two-way street and the work we do as outliners is an intimate affair as we're dancing with your muse who, typically, has only danced with you.
Be prepared for creative melding. This isn't a situation where the author can come in with a bulldozer, make a bunch of sweeping demands, and then bully her way to a ghostwritten novella-length outline the author can then turn into a novel with ease by adding 20,000 words.
We know the processes that work the best for writing marketable outlines with many different personality types, and the only times we've met with what we'd call failure is when the author refused to be flexible to the creative blend we bring.
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Communication is also a two-way street. You should communicate your needs and expectations from the beginning so you and your outliner have a better idea of what a successful outcome will look like.
If there are certain elements you already know you'll require from your outliner, be upfront with her from the beginning. We want this to be an enjoyable and energy-producing experience for both you and your outliner. Communication issues is one of the biggest reasons authors and service providers burn out.
Be kind, courteous, and clear, and if there is any need to escalate a matter, always bring it to Frankie.
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We use Google Sites to keep your outlines organized and in an easy-to-reach location.
Authors are messy creatives who struggle to remember where they saved information. It is not our job as your outliner to remind you where you put things, but we will do everything we can to make it as simple as possible for you.
Google Sites is tied to your Google account, which makes access easy to access your outlines every time. No matter what computer you're on, you have access to your outline. It is not, however, available via your mobile devices.
Organization is our third two-way street. We will do what we can to be shareably organized, but the onus is on you.
What To Expect
This is not a ghostwritten short story that you can then turn into a novel. That's not what we do. Whether the outline is ultra-basic or ultra-detailed, our outlines are more of a guideline meant to inspire you and your muse so that you continue to be excited to write your novel.
We will work with you, your personality writing type, and your story to give you an outline you can then easily take to market.