Hot-tubbin’ in a snowstorm, how and why to create an outline, + some recs!
Welcome to my January author newsletter, babes!
Greetings from yr friendly neighborhood novelist.
Monthly writing tips, pop culture recs, and secret peeks into the publishing process. Let’s go!
The other night, I found myself in the woods, in a hot tub, in a snowstorm, listening to a new friend belt out opera. It was a pinch-me moment that happened at a Generation Women Writers’ Retreat: the sort of wonderfully weird escapade that’s impossible to plan. Ironically enough, this month’s newsletter is about the opposite of spontaneity, as I deep dive into the art of the outline.
Before we get to that, I was honored to be part of Zibby Owens’ New Year, New Chapter one-day book conference at the Whitby Hotel a few weeks ago. I got to sign copies of IT HAD TO BE YOU at the book fair and speak on the Rom-Com Revolution panel. Zibby asked great questions, I caught up with writer pals, but the true highlight was meeting readers. I LOVE meeting readers, aka the people who make my job as a writer possible! So grateful for everyone who said hi!
Thanks to everyone who watched my Spiritual Send-off and Completion Ceremony for MOST WONDERFUL! I handed in my reviewed copy-edit this month, wherein my diligent copy-editor gave my manuscript the equivalent of a rom-com makeover, eliminating all awkward phrasing, timeline inconsistencies, and other bookish boo-boos. My fave edit was correcting a reference to Donatello’s sword to a staff (there is a crucial Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles t-shirt in this book).
I only made one larger edit, which was moving a page of exposition from early in chapter one to later in the story. My rule for exposition (aka back story) is eliminate or activate (i.e. turn into dialogue) if possible, delay if not. Reading over the opening chapter, the balance of action, dialogue and narrative felt off, weighted by a page of description relating to my main character’s television show—she’s a Hollywood showrunner working on the sexiest reboot of all time. I asked myself, does the audience need this information about the show to understand the scene? The answer was no, so further into the story it went. Next, I’ll get back “pass pages”, which is when the story is formatted and laid out like a book. After those are reviewed and signed off, I am really, truly done with the writing!
Other than that, I’ve been hanging out with my wife and kid (we brunched at new Greenpoint joint Radio Star last weekend), rewatching The O.C. (OG comfort watch), catching some great long-form improv at Caveat in the LES, and working on the outline for my next book. Why write an outline? Glad you asked!
Earlier this month, I organized a solo writers’ retreat, at home, to work on an extended outline for my next book. It was hard, but a success. Let’s talk about both the why, and the how. First, why create an outline?
Outlines will save you time. After I finished, I sent the outline to my agent. Her very helpful feedback included a completely different ending—a total rewrite of Act Three—that was premised upon the introduction of a new supporting character. Now, if I’d gotten that feedback on a draft, I would’ve had a panic attack: I would’ve had to throw out and rewrite dozens of polished pages. But because the feedback was only on the outline, it only took me hours—not months—to address. A book is a house, and the outline is the blueprint. Rather than build the house only to then discover all the structural problems that make it unlivable, fix the blueprint first. Outlines let you test out your ideas in a way that are extremely easy to undo, pivot from, or cut entirely.
Outlines let you see the forest, not just the trees. So often, we writers can get caught up in the details: the writing on a line level. It’s easy to obsess over the perfect description, joke, or insight. We get enamored by a single scene or idea. But often, those details won’t even matter if the story isn’t there to start with. Outlines are the big picture: the major plot points, escalations, reveals (etc) that will build a story worth polishing, down the line.
Convinced? Then let’s chat about how to do it.I start with notes. A lot of notes. For this new book, I started noodling on the concept in mid 2023. I was considering a few ideas, but it was this one I kept coming back to. I was drafting MOST WONDERFUL, so not yet ready to go all in, but I started by creating a Scrivener document, and jotting down ideas as they arose: scene ideas, dialogue sketches, cast possibilities. Very loose what-if type writing that didn’t take my focus away from MW.
Then, a three-page pitch. Toward the end of the year, I condensed everything into a three-page pitch that started with a two-line flap-copy-esque summary, then briefly covered the meet-cute; the story overview of Acts One, Two and Three (a line or two on both—this is also where I wove my comps in); deeper dives into the two main characters (i.e. the lovers), including their backstory, personality, growth arcs and supporting cast; the setting; and my connection to the idea. Now, for some writers, that would be enough to get started. But a) my editors wanted to see the concept fleshed out more and b) so did I.
Then, The Big Outline. Not gonna lie, longer outlines that cover the action of each chapter are hard. You’re imagining an entire book! I decided to word-vomit my outline onto the page in four straight days. I organized to come back to NYC from family Xmas early, without my wife and kid (they stayed on with my in-laws). I planned for Jan 1st - Jan 4th to be my writing days: no other work, no other plans, fridge fully stocked.
The beginning was the easiest. I knew the most about Act One—the meet-cute, establishing the set-up, meeting supporting cast etc. Act Two kicked. My. Butt. It felt like I was running a marathon while sitting in place. I questioned my ability as a writer. It was not fun. I actually did expect it to be fun—four full days to write! Dreamy!—but it was exhausting and very challenging. I leaned on classic craft principles to guide the story’s escalation. I resisted distraction by turning the internet off. I reminded myself that, historically, I have done this before. I forced myself, hour by hour, to stick with it.In the end, my outline clocked in at 12,000 words. As this is a dual narration, the outline included 18 alternating POV sections (each section may cover one or two chapters) for Acts One and Two, with a briefer summary for Act Three. This is because I do find endings become clearer from drafting so I don’t feel the need to know them as well as the first two acts. At the beginning of each of those 18 sections, I listed whose POV it was, a one-line summary of what happens in the section, then the outline. The outline largely summarized the action, but also included dialogue if it came to me in the moment. My agent noted the dialogue sketches in the meet-cute made the characters’ chemistry super clear. Her notes helped with the believability of what’s a slightly fanciful premise and cutting some extraneous subplots.
Now, my big ol’ 50-page outline is awaiting the verdict of my editors! Fingers crossed they like it!
Got an idea for a rom-com but not sure how to pull it off? Stalled out on your epic romantasy or women’s-fic-with-romantic-elements? Never put pen to paper but feeling called to start? I got you! My first Romance Workshop for 2024 starts in March. Only five spots left, and I think YOU should grab one. Use code HEARTBEAT25 for $25 off! Offer ends 2/7.
Join me and an intimate group of writers with shared goals for an intensive, informative and encouraging workshop. You’ll get in-depth editorial feedback on your work from myself and your fellow writers, that highlight its strengths and shines a light forward for revision. Informed by publishing six books, with my seventh and eighth under contract, I’ll present deep-dives on plot, scenes & scene structure; character; narrative strategy; and perfecting on a line-level. We’ll discuss landing the agent of your dreams AND you’ll get one-on-one time with senior literary agent, Allison Hunter, to ask her your burning questions. You absolutely can write and sell a book!
“Georgia Clark’s Romance Workshop is an absolute must-do for anyone writing romance.” - Jenna Becker
“Signing up for Georgia’s workshop was the best thing I could have done as an aspiring rom-com author.” - Elissa Sanci
“Georgia's workshop not only offers inspiration and accountability, but tangible techniques that can be immediately applied to your writing.” - Julie Farley
For more info, testimonials, and to sign up, head here.
I’m reading: The Prospects by KT Hoffman
I’m loving this new queer sports rom-com by debut author KT Hoffman. It’s one of the first adult rom-coms centering a gay trans man written by a gay trans man that’s ever been published by a major press—The Dial Press, aka my imprint. Amazing, right? It’s a hopeful and funny rivals-to-lovers set in the world of minor league baseball, in Portland, Oregon. Casey McQuiston called it “tenacious, sexy, effervescent, doggedly hopeful, and endlessly charming, with characters to root hard for and an irresistible voice”, and I 1000% agree. Keep an eye out for it in April.
I’m watching: Lupin
I love getting into a new show but my wife isn’t as big a fan of TV… but when something hits her right, she’s straight-up obsessive with a desperate need to binge. It happened for Only Murders in the Building and, to my delight, it’s happening right now with slick French mystery, Lupin. Inspired by the classic French novels, Lupin tells the story of a world-famous gentleman thief and master of disguise. If you like heists and whodunnits, and don’t mind subtitles, this one’s for you.
I’m performing at: Generation Women
As always, I’ll be onstage at Joe’s Pub, hosting Generation Women, my multi-generational storytelling show. Next month’s show is already sold out (!!), but you can nab tickets for March now, or check out the livestream.
Looking for extra writing support? I offer book coaching, an intimate form of creative support for anyone with a desire to write. Looking to get away? Applications for the Generation Women Writers’ Retreat in March close 1/31.
That’s it for now! HMU with Qs about writing in the comments. I reply to every message and I’d love to hear from you.
Love your advice on exposition! I love a good bit of backstory, but it’s juiciest when I have to wait for it.