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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/8140
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/8140
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Your problem is that you're trying to use one tool for two opposing tasks.

- You're using an outline as a guide for writing _(what happens next_).
- You want to use your outline to gauge the size of your work _(what has already happened)_. 

If you can't gauge the size of your work by reading the actual text, then my suggestion is to keep two outlines.

Your **writing** outline is the one you use to create the book. This is a working document, and it can have as many or as few bullet points as you need. This is the one which has breathing room for pantsing.

- Friday night: John goes to the pub. Thinks about his life and decides it doesn't suck.

Your **reading** outline is the one you use to measure your progress. _After_ you finish writing for the day, or maybe at the beginning of a session as a refresher to get you back in the groove, you turn your text into bullet points outlining what you wrote. This document is descriptive.

- Friday night: John goes to the pub. 
- Gets his usual.
- Sits in usual chair, watches regular crowd shuffle in.
- Starts thinking about the rut he's in.
- Considers whether he needs a new job. Rejects idea.
- Considers whether he needs a girlfriend. Rejects idea.
- Startled by Greg joining him.
- Greg starts telling John about his day.
- John concludes his life is not so bad.

Once your descriptive outline is finished, you can see quickly whether your scenes are balanced to your satisfaction.

Original score: 2