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How do you outline a novel?
Why do you need a novel outline?
How do you outline a novel before writing a first draft?
How do you plan a novel?
Should you write a novel with an outline in place?
What does the start of a novel outline look like?
- The One-Page Outline. If you have never outlined before… TRY THIS. The one-page outline is fast and easy to update as you write. It keeps your story focused on what matters most: the emotions that lead to a big, climactic finish.
- The “Three C’s” Outline. This is your fastest outlining strategy. It’s perfect for creating intense, rapid-fire stories. I first heard it from Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code.
- How to Outline with the Snowflake Method. The Snowflake Method is the best way to expand your unconnected ideas into a complete novel. It’s the perfect blend between outlining and discovery.
- The Three-Act Outline. The three-act structure is designed to set up and answer a single dramatic question. It’s perfect for screenwriting and for new authors because it provides simple, rigid guidelines.
Apr 22, 2024 · 1. An outline gives you a reference to keep your timeline straight. Do you have chapters where the character wakes up, has breakfast, and then six paragraphs later is noticing that darkness is falling? What happened to the rest of the day?
- Choose Your Main Character
- Give Your Main Character A Big Problem
- Find A Catalyst That Sparks Action
- Set Obstacles on Their Path
- Define Their Biggest Ordeal
- Figure Out A Resolution
- Pinpoint The Character’S Arc
- Connect The End to The Start of The Story
- Put Your Outline Together
At the heart of almost every story is a main character who goes on a journey from Point A to Point B. This journey can be emotional, physical, or both. Your protagonist might travel to new lands; learn, change and grow as a person; or do all of those things. For this first outline, choose one main character. Remember, this can always change later. ...
You might already know a million problems your main character will face, or you might be coming up with all of this from scratch. Either way is fine! For this outline, choose one Big Problem. Or, if you prefer, choose a Big Goal. These are two sides of the same coin: Their Big Problem is that they need to reach their Big Goal — and there are obstac...
In most stories, there is usually a catalystwhich sparks a series of actions. To find yours, answer this question: When does your character first realize they have this Big Problem (or Big Goal)? Does someone visit them and tell them they’re going to lose their house? Does their shoelace break? 📝 To Do: Describe this moment in one sentence. You ca...
Golden Age Hollywood director Billy Wilder famously described plot as: “Get your character up a tree. Throw rocks at them. Get them down.” In Winter’s Bone, Ree’s family will lose her house if her dad doesn’t make his court date — that’s the tree she’s up. But she hasn’t seen him for ages, and no one knows — or maybe, no one wants to say — where he...
This is a key story beat in almost every story. It’s the moment when things look dark and hopeless. Your narrator has a goal, and there’s at least one scene where it appears there is absolutely no way they can ever, ever reach it. In the classic novel structurecalled the 12 stages of The Hero’s Journey, this is the one called The Ordeal. In film, t...
How is your character going to get out of this situation? This is one of those questions you might not really answer until you’ve written your draft, but come up with something to start with. Here’s a trick: Make a quick list of your character’s wants vs needs. Often after “All is Lost,” is the moment the character realizes they truly won’t get wha...
The character’s progression(known as their arc) refers to the transformation of the protagonist from the start to the end of the story. It highlights the evolution of the character as a result of the challenges and experiences they face. Identifying and outlining this arc is a crucial aspect of developing your story. Here’s a simple, incredibly use...
Tana French’s literary thriller In the Woodsbegins and ends with a description of the main character experiencing the same patch of woods — first in a seemingly perfect summer when he's a kid; then twenty years later, when he’s grown up. You could see these parallel first and last scenes as “bookends.” The narrator's situation in the last scene is ...
Congratulations: You just created nine key plot points for your novel! Take a minute to celebrate. The final step is to create your outline. I love to do this with sticky notes which can then be arranged (and rearranged) on a wall, table, or trifold board. You could also use index cards or just type your notes into a document. It’s key to keep your...
- Craft your premise. This is the underlying idea for your story. A good way to find the premise is to ask yourself, “What would happen if…?” For example: What would happen if a young man who survives a shipwreck spends months in a lifeboat with a large Bengal tiger?
- Determine your setting. In a novel, the setting (time, place) can be just as important as the characters. Readers need to feel a sense of where things are happening, just as much as why they’re happening.
- Get to know your characters. Write character profiles. Visualize them. Pretend you’re introducing these characters to your friends. What would you say about them?
- Construct your plot. Construct a timeline of events. Write down everything that happens in the novel, from the beginning to the end. Include details where you can, such as where the events take place, and who is involved.
In this post, you’ll discover how to create a book outline that will help you start, and finish, writing your book. Need A Nonfiction Book Outline? Get customizable templates for easy book writing and structuring.
Why is it important to create a novel outline? Creating a novel outline helps you organize your thoughts and plot, providing a clear roadmap for your story. It prevents writer’s block by giving you direction and structure as you write. How detailed should my novel outline be?
How to outline a novel while avoiding cons: 1. Have a broad yet specific story idea. 2. Have core ideas of characters to expand. 3. Know crucial details of plot. 4. Research or understand your novel’s setting. 5. Have an idea of who will narrate. 6. Keep asking interesting questions. 7. Alternate planning with drafting.
