Triple O Outline

1.  Use the Triple-O method to create a plot "skeleton" for some of your story ideas. For each story idea, start with a clean sheet of paper (or new computer document) and try to describe each of the three "O's": Object, Obstacles and Outcome. This also would be a good time to try to come up with some possible titles for these story ideas. (Jot down as many appropriate titles for each idea as you think of, even if you don't think they're exactly right. Coming up with good titles is often a process of trial and error.)

If you're having trouble applying the Triple-O method to your story ideas, it just may be that you need a little more practice. As Nanovic suggests later in his Writer's Yearbook article, a good way to do that is to work the process in reverse-start with a published story and see if you can identify the three O's. After you've reduced a number of completed stories to their essence in this way, you should be comfortable applying the method to your own undeveloped ideas.
 
2.  Pick one of your Triple-O outlines and practice writing the three opening scenes of your story:
        In the first scene, describe your hero and show the reader what he wants. End the scene by planting a "hook"
        that introduces the action in the second scene.
        In the second scene, define the reasons why the hero can't have what he/she wants.
        In the third scene, define how your hero reacts when he learns he can't have what he wants. After this scene,
         write a short sequel that sets up the action for the next scene.