An outline shouldn't just be a rough sketch, filling in a few mountains and cities, dividing the power structure, and then outlining the protagonist's movements based on the geography. That's the typical outline pattern we encounter.
The protagonist's movement trajectory is the most crucial element. He becomes an outer disciple of a sect on a certain mountain. During this time, the protagonist does what he does within the sect, when he leaves the sect and what he does there, and then returns to the sect and does what he does. These steps are filled in one by one on his movement trajectory until the story of this mountain ends. At that point, the movement trajectory changes, the map changes, and the previous steps are completed.
This cycle repeats itself endlessly, and it's not hard to see how bland and uninteresting it is. The entire content revolves around the protagonist's mechanical operations, devoid of any soul or originality.
How can such a bland and mechanical outline produce high-quality content?
The answer is obvious: the possibility is extremely slim.
After some thought, it dawned on me that the outlines we usually encounter are not, strictly speaking, intended for a small group of authors, but rather for a large portion of them. Even the source of these outline templates is themselves. They have studios and writers known for their speed. They all share a common characteristic: they are indifferent to the quality of the story content and are careless. All they seek is to complete a standard story in the shortest possible time.
If this template is applied to an author with a vision, he will struggle to write a story, and even though the protagonist's evolution path is well-planned, it cannot develop according to his own will and will not achieve the expected results. This is because this outline template is not suitable for you, because it lacks the most important core element, which is the intention.
Anyone with a vision inevitably possesses profound thoughts, and intention is the powerful expression of those profound thoughts. Common templates focus on action trajectories, never intersecting with intention, let alone centering on intention, and thus cannot enable people to express what they truly want.
Regardless of whether the ideas are right or wrong, let's discuss how to express them:
First and foremost, the central idea is paramount.
The typical template focuses on a predictable action trajectory, adhering to mechanical storytelling formulas: monster-slaying, leveling up, having multiple partners, rising in status, gaining power, and repeating the cycle endlessly. It's uninteresting to read, even more uninteresting to write; before readers even experience mental fatigue, most authors have already given up. Its essence is a mechanical, hierarchical climb, a herd-like pursuit that ultimately ends in a dull and dismal failure.
There are two concepts that need to be understood here. I personally divide the so-called pursuit into two definitions. One is the desire for knowledge, which is the following of others as mentioned earlier. This kind of pursuit of desire does not truly come from one's heart, but is a common perception of beauty within the rules of social operation, such as power and money. If others say it is good, you also think it is good and keep striving for it, even blindly. The result is self-evident. Such people are often battered and bruised, both physically and mentally, and still achieve nothing. Putting aside the element of luck, their hearts are often blinded and covered up. In the process of pursuing, they often go against their conscience, so naturally, it is difficult to persevere.
Another type is called "enlightened mind and desire." The meaning is self-evident: the mind is like a beautiful natural crystal, unblemished, pure, natural, and clear. Such people's pursuit of themselves can be summed up in the phrase, "Where the Way lies, though a thousand may oppose me, I will go." They are undaunted by hardship or death, and on their journey, their mindset remains calm and serene, like sitting quietly in the Yellow Court, watching the clouds drift by—neither arrogant nor impatient, but tranquil and natural. Even if they ultimately fail, they leave no regrets.
The point I'm making is to establish this understanding of one's own heart and desires—to understand what one truly wants. For that, you can forge ahead bravely and relentlessly. What does it matter if you commit arson, murder, looting, or any other atrocity, as long as you achieve this understanding? It has nothing to do with good or evil. Just as, even if millions of people curse me, I will still go.
Before writing a novel, you write an outline. Before writing an outline, you have a theme. It is because you have a theme that you want to express it. And isn't the novel the most beautiful medium?
Of course, not everyone has the desire to understand the world, but that doesn't stop you from appreciating, longing for, and admiring it. Even if you can't achieve it, you are the master in your writing and in your stories. You can vividly and dreamily reveal it.
It's important to clarify here that the difference between the desire for enlightenment and the desire to be bound by knowledge lies in one's inner state. If your desire for enlightenment is to make money, then making money is a hindrance to knowledge for others, but enlightenment for you. Due to limitations in writing style and logic, errors and omissions are inevitable. Also, don't ask why we need to establish the desire for enlightenment; it's simply because it's aesthetically pleasing, because it's unattainable and beyond reach. What could be more beautiful than wife, children, friendship, or family affection? Of course, you can also use your writing skills to imbue wife, children, friendship, and family affection with this kind of charm.
Therefore, this teaches us a lesson: what you like is often not just the outward appearance, but the beauty revealed in its core.
Second, take the theme as the highest starting point and work backward to determine the plot and pacing.
Because you have a clear idea, you become very enthusiastic. To perfect it, you will be happy to actively think about what kind of character should match it, what kind of plot should be used to climb it, and whether you need to give the character some hardships to show the obstacles on his way up. Then you will think about what kind of hardships will not make the character feel wronged but will show his personal charm. As you think and write, one story comes out, two stories come out, three or four stories come out, the outline is completed, and the novel is finished.
Writing novels this way is definitely much more interesting and meaningful than wandering aimlessly.
Like recently, I came across a great real-life figure—I won't mention his name because I know nothing about him—but just one sentence from him made me think deeply, my heart surging with emotion. I really want to incorporate him as a theme into my novel, because he is truly great and beautiful. However, I don't intend to make him the protagonist, but rather a whetstone for the protagonist. The protagonist will go through countless hardships to barely break free from his influence and reach new heights. Although he is great and admired, my protagonist also has his own purpose, which cannot be defeated by mere greatness. Those who can be defeated and captivated are those without purpose, ordinary and vulgar.
Unfortunately, my writing skills are still lacking, lacking, lacking. I am actively accumulating more knowledge.
A crane soars into the clear sky, its flight inspiring poetic thoughts that reach the heavens.
I look forward to that vast expanse of sea and sky.
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