How to Write a Novel Outline
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
Writing a novel can be an exciting endeavor, as it offers endless possibilities for imagination and creativity, but if you’re stuck on how to write a novel outline, you’re not alone. Many writers often face the common struggle of not knowing where to begin or how to organize their ideas, especially before it comes time to sit down and write. Many writers know that a novel outline is going to be very helpful to drafting a novel successfully. But they don’t know how to do it. An outline is a roadmap that guides you through the entire writing process, from the initial brainstorming stage to the final draft. Here, I’ll explore essential tips for how to write a novel outline, and how to use it as a living tool from drafting to revision.
How to Write a Novel Outline: Start with the Basics
Begin your novel outline with the basics: information about the protagonist, the setting, and the main conflict of your proposed story. This is the foundation of your narrative and sets the stage for your plot, which will bring character and conflict together. Consider how your protagonist fits into the setting and how the conflict unfolds. What does your character want, otherwise known as their objective? A well-crafted protagonist can carry the entire story, while a weak set-up can result in a dull plot.
How to Write a Novel Outline: Develop a Clear Structure
Choosing a structure is crucial to learning how to write a novel outline effectively. Your outline should have a clear structure that includes the beginning, middle, and end. The beginning establishes the setting and the characters and introduces conflict, the middle develops the tension and throws the conflict into higher gear (including adding character development), and the end brings climax and resolution to the story. Depending on your preference, you can use a traditional or non-traditional structure to tell your story. The key is to have a clear sense of direction and purpose.
How to Write a Novel Outline: Create Character Arcs
While you develop your protagonist, consider their character arc. Your character should experience significant change or growth throughout the story, which will be born of their struggles to deal with the conflict. They should have internal conflict and external conflict, and should be proactive in driving the plot forward. The character arc adds depth and dimension to your story, making it more relatable and engaging to readers. Adding in a character’s emotional journey is an essential part of mastering how to write a novel outline.
How to Write a Novel Outline: Write Summaries for Each Chapter
Once you have the broad strokes idea fleshed out, break down your story into chapters and write a brief summary of what happens in each one. Make sure that enough happens for each unit of story. Consider the balance of action and information. Spelling everything out allows you to see the flow of your story, identify gaps or inconsistencies, and plan how to resolve them. You can also do revision to your outline first, to see how your new ideas change the story, rather than revising the entire manuscript. Use the outline you’re creating as a sandbox for new ideas, and to keep yourself on track.
How to Write a Novel Outline: Avoid Over-Planning
While it's essential to have a clear direction when you write a novel outline, over-planning can stifle your creativity and make your story feel forced or contrived. Allow room for spontaneity and adjust your outline as necessary. Once you’re drafting, you might find yourself deviating from your outline, and that’s okay, as long as you are still hitting the main pillars of the story you intend to tell. Your story should not feel formulaic or predictable, but instead, it should have a natural ebb and flow. You’ll find that there is a discovery process during drafting that you could not have planned for in the outline phase.
How to Write a Novel Outline: Use Mood Boards and Collages
Create mood boards or collages that depict your characters, sensory details, tone, and setting. Pinterest is a great resource for this task. These images can inspire and guide your writing, and bring your story to life. They can also help you stay focused and motivated throughout the writing process.
How to Write a Novel Outline: Use Flashbacks and Backstory
A well-placed flashback or explanation of backstory can add layers to your narrative while also providing context for your character's motivations or actions. However, avoid using too many flashbacks or backstory, as this can disrupt the flow of your narrative. Ideally, the present is more interesting than the past, and this keeps the action moving forward. Ensure that everything you choose to share about a past event serves a clear purpose in advancing the plot.
How to Write a Novel Outline: Develop Secondary Characters
Secondary characters should be fleshed out, even if they don’t get the same level of care and psychological depth as your protagonist. They should have their own purposes, arc, and distinct personality traits. This adds more depth to your story and creates a more immersive reading experience. Your secondary characters can do a great job of enhancing and demonstrating different takes on your theme.
How to Write a Novel Outline: Revisit and Revise Your Outline
While learning how to write a novel outline, remember: Your outline is a living tool that should be revisited and revised as you draft and revise your work. It's okay if your outline changes throughout the writing process, as long as it continues to serve as a guide to ensure that you're staying on track. Remember your intention for the project. If it needs to change, go back to your outline and make sure your proposed changes are carrying through in a holistic way.
How to Write a Novel Outline: Embrace The Process
Ultimately, the goal of learning how to write a novel outline is to gain a new tool to help you tell this story, and any one you choose to write in the future. Embrace the creative process and use your outline as a guide. Don't feel restricted by it, but instead, use it to help you stay focused and motivated throughout your writing journey.
Mastering how to write a novel outline can seem daunting, but with the right mindset and approach to the process, an outline (and the skills it encourages you to gain) can be an incredibly helpful tool. Remember to start with the basics, develop a clear structure, and create character arcs that add depth and dimension to your story. Write summaries for each chapter, revisit and revise your outline, and embrace the creative process. Use these tips and avoid pitfalls such as over-planning or neglecting secondary characters to create a well-structured, engaging, and compelling narrative. Then it’s time to do your drafting, but that’s another article.
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