Writing a story, but before I can really begin I need to set

Scrivener is worth the money

>>8097125
Good suggestion, thank you.

>>8097221
I prefer Focuswriter. It's free and very clean. Doesn't have as many organizational options but you can have as many tabs open as you need.

>>8097125

yWriter is like Scrivener, but free.

>>8096935

I use Excel, but I certainly would prefer something like a piece of wiki software. Problem is, most I've found are either unwieldy or confusing.

>>8097821
I've seen excel mentioned a couple times in these word processor threads, I don't understand how you would use excel for fiction writing. care to explain?

>>8098016

It's just much easier to make notes when you've got pre-made boxes, and the ability to write in multiple columns.

>>8097271
Not OP, but bless you. I'm writing a continuing, episodic thing right now and it'll be perfect for organizing it all.

Stop worrying about making the themes evident until the second draft.
Don't make the outline too elaborate, just hit the major points you need to reach. The more wiggle room you have as you go, the funner the writing process is.
Stop overthinking this outline thing and just start writing, let the chips and characters fall where they may. As long as you know how the story starts, begin writing and let the story guide itself.