A Goodreads user asked Matthew FitzSimmons:

The plot of "Short Drop" is so complex, how did you outline it and keep all straight? I'm a first time author and have a problem in outlining a simple a linear novel.I'd love to know your outline secrets. (Please don't tell me you didn't use one.)

Matthew FitzSimmons So I'll tell you my approach, but I think everyone has to find a method that works for them so take it with a grain of sand.

I worked from an Excel spreadsheet so that at a glance I could see chapters, POV, major plot points, characters featured in the chapter etc. That gave me a top down view that helped me notice if I was going too long without checking in with a certain character or plot point. I think Excel is optional, (I'm just comfortable with it) and there are lots of solutions but having a way to see the big picture was critical for me.

Beyond that, I'm what I'd call a "road trip outliner." What I mean by that is, I knew where I was starting and knew where I was ending. Beyond that I had several major stops (plot points/events) mapped out along the way but didn't always know how I was going to get from one to the other. I always left room for detours when I inevitably discovered a more interesting route as I wrote. And that was critical for me, the story became more complex as I went along as I kept finding ways to "raise the stakes" in the story and for the characters. When I began, the story wasn't nearly as complex or interesting as it became as I wrote/redrafted/edited.

So to sum up, I'd say that it's easier for me to plot if I know what I'm writing toward. Once I know that then it's about finding the most interesting way to get there.

Good luck with your writing!

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