All right, we have a quick video today about a technique that I recently learned from talking to a lot of other authors in this space. It’s a great way to improve your outlining. Before I get into this, let’s talk a little bit about how AI language models work. These models predict each word that should come next based on probability. Now, imagine if you were trying to drive from New York to Orlando using an AI. If it doesn’t know where you’re going, it will randomly pick left or right. But when it does know, it can accurately tell you which way to go. This is similar to what we’re going to explore with outlining. We’re going to create the outline backwards, starting with the ending. This approach has been found to greatly improve the quality of the outline. By beginning with the end in mind, we can better structure the outline and foreshadow important elements. Let’s take an example of a novella with the concept of Vikings versus Cthulhu. The main character, Ragnar, is betrayed by his love interest, Astrid, who is revealed to be the cult High Priestess manipulating events from the start. The climax sees a heartbreaking confrontation between the two, leading to her redemption or downfall. This ending outline can serve as the basis for a 12-chapter novella following the 12 steps of the hero’s journey. By starting with the end and working our way back, we can improve the structure and foreshadowing in the outline. This approach is especially useful when introducing characters and important plot points. While foreshadowing can be challenging with AI, it can still be helpful in the outlining phase. Starting with the end allows us to better plan and develop our story. I hope you find this technique useful in your own writing journey. Stay tuned for more videos!
