Many aspiring novelists struggle to organize their ideas into a coherent structure, often leading to writer’s block or unfinished manuscripts. How can writers develop a solid outline to transform their story ideas into an engaging narrative?
The answer is simple: a clear, structured outline. This tool can guide you from brainstorming your initial concept to completing your first draft. Below is a comprehensive guide to effectively outline a novel.
Table of Contents
Guide to Outlining a Novel
Step 1: Identify Your Core Idea
Every novel starts with a spark. What idea keeps you awake at night? Write it down. This initial thought will guide all your other decisions. For example, if your idea is about a group of friends who discover a hidden talent, note that down.
- Tip: Use a single sentence to summarize your idea. This approach will serve as your guiding star for the entire outlining process.
Step 2: Develop Your Characters
Characters are the heart of your novel. Creating well-rounded characters will drive your story forward.
- Main Protagonist: Develop traits, goals, and flaws. Using our earlier example, the protagonist might be a shy artist.
- Antagonist: What obstacles does your protagonist face? This antagonist could be a rival artist who thrives on competition.
- Supporting Characters: Friends who support our protagonist or others who challenge them add depth to your plot.
- Tip: Create a character sheet for each major character. Include a brief character biography, motivations, and how they change throughout the story.
Step 3: Determine the Setting
The setting is essential. It shapes the mood and influences your characters’ choices.
- Choose a Location: Is your story set in a bustling city or a quiet village?
- Time: Accurate historical details can enrich your narrative. Is it modern-day or set in the past?
A modern story about artists might take place in a vibrant urban area full of galleries and crowded streets.
- Tip: Sketch a map or create a visual board to establish your setting’s vibe. This visual can inspire the tone of your writing.
Step 4: Outline the Major Plot Points
Outlining your plot can help you maintain focus and pacing throughout your story. Identify key events in three acts:
- Act One (Setup):
- Introduction of characters and setting.
- Establish the protagonist’s goal.
- Present the inciting incident (something that dramatically changes the protagonist’s life).
- Act Two (Confrontation):
- Introduce the main conflict and obstacles.
- Subplots develop.
- A key turning point is where the protagonist faces a significant challenge.
- Act Three (Resolution):
- Climax where the payoff occurs.
- The following events lead to the resolution of the main conflict.
Example: For the artist’s story, the protagonist might showcase a painting that gains unexpected fame, creating tension with their rival.
Tip: Use bullet points for each act to detail what occurs. This approach allows for quick edits and adjustments.
Step 5: Create Chapter Summaries
Take your outline one step further by breaking down your acts into chapters:
- Determine Chapter Count: How many chapters do you want? Aim for a number that works well with your plot’s pacing, typically 10 to 30.
- Write Summaries: For each chapter, write a few sentences summarizing the main events.
- Example: Chapter 1 might introduce the protagonist and their struggles. Meanwhile, Chapter 5 could be the moment the protagonist enters a prestigious art show.
- Tip: This method creates mini-goals you can celebrate as you write, keeping motivation high.
Step 6: Include Subplots
Subplots can enrich your main plot and develop characters further:
- Ideas for Subplots: Think of romantic interests, friendships, or rivalries. If your protagonist is entering an art competition, perhaps there’s a subplot where they also navigate a budding romance.
- Tip: Outline subplots separately and then integrate them into the main chapters, ensuring they align with the main story arc.
Step 7: Consistency and Flexibility
A good outline provides structure but allows for creativity and changes during the writing process.
- Review and Adjust: Reread your outline regularly to see if it flows logically. Don’t hesitate to make changes if a new idea excites you.
- Tip: Keep your outline digital for easy adjustments or changes.
Pros and Cons of Outlining Your Novel
Pros
- Clarity and Direction: A solid outline guides you through your narrative, reducing confusion about plot points and character arcs.
- Time Management: Having a plan makes the writing process more efficient and helps you set realistic deadlines.
- Increased Creativity: With a structure in place, you may feel more free to experiment with subplots and character development without losing focus.
Cons
- New Ideas: A rigid outline might stifle creativity. Be open to alterations as you discover new directions for your story.
- Over-Planning: Spending too much time outlining can lead to procrastination. Balance planning with writing.
- Less Surprise: Some writers enjoy the thrill of discovery while writing. Outlining can make the process too predictable for these authors.
Best Practices for Outlining
- Use Index Cards or Sticky Notes: These tools let you visualize your plot structure easily and enable quick rearrangements if needed.
- Stay Flexible: Allow your outline to evolve as your story progresses. New ideas may arise during writing that warrant modifications.
- Incorporate Subplots: While focusing on your main plot, take time to weave in subplots that can enrich your characters’ journeys. This approach brings more depth and layers to the narrative.
- Visual Aids: Mind maps, diagrams, or charts can help you establish connections between characters, themes, and events.
Potential Pitfalls to Avoid
- Overcomplicating the Outline: Keep it straightforward. A detailed outline can lead to frustration if your expectations are too high.
- Ignoring Character Development: Ensure your outline includes character arcs. Characters should evolve as much as the plot.
- Not Allowing Room for Change: Your outline should serve as a guide, not a cage. Let the story breathe and change as it develops.
Real-World Application: Outlining Examples
Example 1: The Adventure Novel
For an adventure novel, outline your protagonist’s journey through adjusted obstacles. For instance, if your main character starts at home, identify a “call to adventure,” such as receiving a mysterious letter, then outline the challenges they face on their quest. This structure can keep the narrative engaging and help you maintain pacing.
Example 2: The Romantic Comedy
In a romantic comedy, clearly define your characters’ backstories. Create a series of amusing encounters leading them to realize their love. For instance, outline scenes where misunderstandings lead to humor. Each chapter could end with a cliffhanger or an “almost” moment to keep the reader invested.
Example 3: The Mystery Novel
For mysteries, your outline must be particularly tight since clues need to unfold logically. Use bullet points to track red herrings and pivotal revelations. Carefully plan your climax to ensure the solution feels earned and satisfying.
Writing Actionable Tips
- Start Small: If an extensive outline feels overwhelming, begin with chapter titles or summaries before expanding into greater detail.
- Be Specific: Outline key emotions or conflicts for each chapter. Specificity helps you stay connected to your characters.
- Consider Your Audience: Keep in mind who will read your novel. With your audience in mind, think about what elements will resonate with them and guide your plotting.
- Schedule Outlining Time: Set aside specific times for outlining to make the process a part of your regular writing regimen.
- Use a Variety of Tools: Consider writing software like Scrivener or Storyist, which can help organize your outline visually and keep track of character arcs and plot points effectively.
Useful Resources
There are numerous resources available to help you refine your outline:
- Books: Consider reading writing guides like “Save the Cat!” by Blake Snyder, which breaks down plotting techniques.
- Online Courses: Websites like MasterClass or Coursera often provide writing courses specifically focused on plotting and outlining.
How to Outline a Novel: Troubleshooting Common Issues
Unclear Main Conflict
If your outline reveals a fuzzy main conflict, start by writing down your protagonist’s goal. What do they want? Once you have this, identify the primary obstacle preventing them from achieving it. This obstacle could be another character, an event, or even an internal struggle. For example, if your hero is a detective, their main goal might be to solve a murder, while the antagonist is actively sabotaging their investigation. Keeping this focus in mind helps tighten your narrative and guides your plot development.
Lack of Character Development
If it feels like your characters are just flat, revisit their motivations, backstories, and arcs. Take a moment to write a few key traits for each character, noting how these traits influence their decisions throughout the story. For instance, if your villain’s motivation is rooted in a painful past, weave that history into their actions. Make sure to jot down how each character evolves from the beginning to the end of your novel. This approach ensures that when readers turn the last page, they feel like those characters have truly grown.
Pacing Issues
If your outline frequently drags or speeds ahead without reason, check your chapter lengths. Try to balance your action scenes with slower, reflective moments. For example, if you have two consecutive chapters of high tension, consider inserting a chapter that slows the pace, allowing for character reflection or plot foreshadowing. This adjustment can enhance the reading experience and give your audience the breathing room they need.
Plot Holes
If you encounter gaps in logic, create a timeline of events. This step can help you track character actions and events to ensure they align with one another. For instance, if a character learns a crucial piece of information, note exactly when and how they obtained it. If the timeline reveals inconsistencies, revise your outline to plug those holes. This approach not only strengthens your plot but also keeps readers engaged without confusion.
Shift in Tone or Theme
If your tone wobbles from serious to silly, revisit your outline and check for major scenes. Identify the chapter or moment where this shift occurs. If a sad moment is followed by a ridiculous joke that doesn’t fit, rethink how you can balance humor with seriousness. Perhaps dial back the joke or find a different way to convey lightness that still aligns with the overall theme. This approach ensures that your narrative remains consistent and powerful throughout.
Weak Supporting Subplots
Review your subplots to ensure they connect with the main storyline. Each subplot should either deepen the main conflict or enrich character arcs. For example, if one subplot is about a side character’s romantic relationship, make sure it ties back to the main plot, perhaps by affecting the protagonist. If a subplot feels disconnected, consider removing it or reworking it so that it contributes more meaningfully to the overall story.
Character Overload
You’ve introduced ten characters by chapter three, but now you’re struggling to give them all enough attention. Readers may get confused about who’s who. Take a step back and identify which characters are essential to the plot advancement. If a character doesn’t contribute significantly to the story or a subplot, consider merging them with another character or removing them altogether to streamline your narrative.
Confusing Structure
Your outline has a non-linear format that confuses even you. What starts as an interesting idea could leave your readers puzzled if not executed well. If your story jumps back and forth in time but lacks clarity, outline the main events chronologically first. After that, layer in the flashbacks or other non-linear elements, ensuring they have relevance and enhance understanding rather than confusion.
Repetitive Plot Points
You’ve done a solid job outlining, but you notice similar events happening too frequently, like two characters having the same argument or the protagonist repeatedly facing the same obstacle. This situation can lead to reader fatigue. Review your outline and replace repetitive elements with fresh challenges or different character reactions that keep the story engaging. If your character has already tackled a problem, put them in a new situation that tests their growth.
By identifying and addressing these common outlining issues early on, you can create a stronger foundation for your novel that will guide you smoothly through the writing process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Related to How To Outline A Novel
Q. What is an outline, and why is it important for a novel?
A. An outline is a plan that organizes your story’s main ideas and events. It is important because it helps you keep your plot on track and ensures that your story has a clear direction.
Q. How detailed should my outline be?
A. Your outline can be as detailed or as simple as you want. Some writers prefer a detailed outline with specific scenes, while others like a general roadmap of key events. Find what works best for you!
Q. What should I include in my novel outline?
A. Include key elements such as the main characters, major plot points, settings, and themes. You can also note subplots and character arcs if you want to get thorough.
Q. Is there a specific structure I should follow when outlining?
A. There’s no one-size-fits-all structure. Some popular structures include the three-act structure or the hero’s journey. Choose a structure that resonates with your story.
Q. Can I change my outline as I write?
A. Absolutely! Outlines are flexible. As you develop characters and plot, it’s normal to make changes to your outline to reflect new ideas.
Q. What are some common mistakes to avoid when outlining?
A. Common mistakes include being too vague, focusing too much on details, losing sight of the bigger picture, or creating an outline that’s too rigid. Balance is key!
Q. Should I outline before I start writing or while I’m writing?
A. It’s usually best to outline before you start writing, but some writers prefer to create a rough outline and fill it in as they go. Do what feels right for you.
Q. What tools help in creating an outline?
A. You can use simple tools like pen and paper or go digital with word processors, outlining software, or apps designed for writers. Pick one that you find easy to use.
Q. How can I make my outline more effective?
A. To make your outline effective, keep it focused, logically organized, and clear. Use bullet points, headings, or other formats that help you visualize the flow of your story.
Q. What if I get stuck while outlining?
A. If you hit a wall, take a break! Go for a walk, read a book, or brainstorm. Sometimes, stepping away can help inspire new ideas and keep the creative juices flowing.
Conclusion
Outlining your novel is like sketching a blueprint for your story. It gives you a clear path to follow and helps keep your ideas organized. Remember, there’s no one right way to outline. Whether you prefer a detailed plan or a loose framework, the important part is that it works for you. So grab your favorite beverage, dust off that notebook, and start plotting out your next great adventure. Happy writing!
