My Simple Six Question Outline for Iggy & Oz Stories

I’ve had a few people reach out and ask how I outline or structure an Iggy & Oz story. I’m primarily a discovery writer, in the sense that I don’t really do extensive outlines. But I do a lot of walking, and I do answer six questions for each Iggy & Oz story.

So tonight I’m sharing the outline for the Living Snot.

The Living Snot is a tough book. One, I wrote it in January 2021 in the midst of fighting depression and anxiety. I delayed publishing it for a full year. But it’s been the one kids seem to love the most. It’s also the one that shocks me to have won an award.

Below is the extent of my outlining and what I used to write this years Realm Award winning Middle Grade Book:

Iggy & Oz The Living Snot

1. What is the flaw Iggy has for this book…?

Iggy has a habit of making fun of his enemies. Especially Todd. But is that a good thing…? Is it right for him to find humor in other people’s pain? Even if it is his enemy…?

2. How does Iggy Overcome this flaw in the end…?

After Todd is hurt due to the giant blob of snot- Iggy showers him with kindness and takes him some comics (or something) while he heals up. Closing scene of the book

3. What danger (problem) are the kids facing at the beginning…?

Jenn’s mother had bought some antique (and unused) handkerchiefs or something else possibly from Mr. Chesterton’s estate sale. This brings Oz’s snot to life. The snot at first is just a small blob that Oz is keeping as a pet. However, the blob starts to get bigger, and bigger, and bigger and eventually escapes and starts destroying the neighborhood.

4. What is their mission…?

Stop the giant blob of snot before it eats them, Whiskers, or any more cars.  

5. What obstacles are standing in the way of the kids accomplishing this mission…?

1. Mrs. McKenzie- she needs to play a bigger roll. The snot does something. Maybe Whiskers gets covered in the muck. But she is keeping Iggy in her house until his mom comes to get him. Her house is a bit creepy (actually not. It’s quite quaint but it’s Iggy- so he’ll find a way to make it seem scary.)

2. Todd- As usual Todd is a problem. Todd however gets hurt when the blob of snot attacks him.

3. The Big Blob of Snot. It keeps growing, and growing, and growing…

6. How do they overcome this big blob of snot in order to stop it…? And how does this decision point force Iggy to confront his flaw…?

a- They could use fire- this makes it mad and it starts spitting fire globs of snot

b- They could use essential oils- this has the wrong effect and makes it grow

c- They make saline solution by mixing salt and water in their pool… Aaron’s brainy idea.

That’s it. I pulled that straight from the Scrivener file. That’s all I used. I should say this is the third book in the series, so I know these kids very, very well.

Embracing Weakness

Weaknesses. We all have them. They’re like shadows—always there but often ignored. And in a world obsessed with strengths, highlighting our weak spots feels counterintuitive. But here’s the twist: recognizing your weaknesses doesn’t have to be an invitation to stress or a nod to insecurity. It can be liberating.

The moment you understand a weakness, you seize control. You’re no longer in the dark, subject to some unseen force pulling your strings. Knowing is half the battle, right? The challenge is to not let this awareness spiral into a self-fulfilling prophecy of doom.

Don’t look at a weakness as a final verdict on your character or capability. It’s just a data point, a guidepost signaling where you might need a bit more focus, more effort, or maybe even an ally to complement you.

Weaknesses aren’t fixed landmarks; they’re shifting sands. Today’s weakness could be tomorrow’s strength, given enough attention and the right circumstances. In the meantime, work with them, not against them. Shape them into challenges, puzzles to solve, opportunities for growth.

Stop wrestling with your weaknesses to fit into some societal mold of perfection. Accept them. Learn from them. Pivot when you must. But whatever you do, don’t let them dictate your worth or consume you with stress. They’re just pieces of a much larger, complex, and continually evolving puzzle that is you. And puzzles are meant to be solved, not feared.

The Futility of Anger Over Trivial Matters

We’ve all been there—angry about something so inconsequential it’s almost laughable in hindsight. Whether it’s a driver cutting you off or your coffee order being wrong, these small irritations can fester into full-blown anger. But here’s the kicker: getting angry over dumb things hurts no one but you. It raises your stress levels, affects your mental well-being, and wastes your valuable time. In the grand scheme of things, these minor issues are just that—minor. Letting them hijack your emotions only gives them power they don’t deserve. So, take a breath, let it go, and save your energy for what truly matters.

The Life of a Distracted Reader

I’ll admit it—I’m a distracted reader. One minute, I’m engrossed in a novel’s intricate plot; the next, I’m scrolling through social media or daydreaming about dinner plans. It’s a constant tug-of-war between my love for reading and the myriad distractions that modern life offers. Smartphones buzz with notifications, and even the book itself can send my thoughts spiraling into a hundred different directions.

I used to beat myself up over it, thinking I lacked discipline or a true passion for reading. But I’ve come to accept that it’s just how my brain is wired in this fast-paced digital age. Instead of fighting it, I’ve found ways to make it work for me. Short stories, articles, and chapters become bite-sized pieces that fit into my fractured attention span. Though it’s not ideal, it keeps the pages turning and my love for reading alive. And that’s good enough for me.

My Weekend Oasis: Books, Buttons, and Touchdowns

Ah, the weekend. Those glorious two days where I can finally take off the work hat and just be myself. You know what that means? Time to dive into my three favorite things: reading, video gaming, and, oh yeah, the start of college football season.

So, first thing’s first. Books. There’s something about losing myself in a new story that’s like hitting the refresh button on my brain. I could be in the middle of the most hectic week ever, but give me a good book, and it’s like an instant vacation. In a way, each page turned is a step away from stress, a mini-holiday for my overworked neurons.

But hey, reading isn’t my only escape hatch. Let’s talk video games. Whether it’s a first-person shooter, an intricate RPG, or just a good ol’ platformer, games give me this sandbox where I can hop in and just mess around. The real world has enough rules, thank you very much. When I’m gaming, I’m the one setting the pace, deciding what challenge I’ll conquer next.

Now, let’s not forget the cherry on top. College football is back, baby! There’s something about the start of the season that feels like cracking open a can of pure excitement. Maybe it’s the crowd roaring from the TV speakers or the drama that unfolds on the field. Either way, when it’s game time, you bet I’m glued to the screen, caught up in every pass, tackle, and—yes!—touchdown.

So that’s my weekend in a nutshell. A good book in one hand, a game controller in the other, and college football on the screen. And you know what? It’s exactly what I need to recharge and tackle another week. Can’t ask for a better way to spend my downtime.