Writing a Compelling Plot 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.
If you’re one of the lucky few with the courage, creativity, and dedication to write a novel, that’s amazing. But before you dive headfirst into writing, there's a vital component you should consider—crafting an appealing plot outline. If you're new to writing, don't worry. In this article, I'll be sharing everything you need to know about crafting a plot outline for maximum emotional impact. I'm here to offer you some helpful tips and tricks for making your novel un-put-down-able by crafting your plot, and helping you make readers care from the very first page.
What Is a Plot Outline?
Simply put, a plot outline is a blueprint for your story, which is generally created before you begin the drafting process. It contains the vital elements of your novel's story arc and outlines what's going to happen in each chapter. Not only does a plot outline provide your novel structure, including your character arc (which charts your character development, but it can also help guide you when you hit writer's block. With a strong foundation in place, you'll be able to write more quickly, with fewer distractions. All of your thinking about your plot is already done by the time you sit down.
Other Techniques for Avoiding the Law of Diminishing Returns Effect
The ingredients of a plot outline include exciting plot points, such as the inciting incident, the midpoint, and the story climax, which are the bare minimum tent pole events that should be planned out before you start writing your novel. Readers expect a compelling narrative, so think about what makes your story unique and interesting. Consider how you can raise the stakes, add conflict and tension (especially between characters), and keep the reader engaged throughout.
Crafting a Plot Outline for Maximum Emotional Impact
One of the best ways to execute a plot outline for maximum emotional impact is to ensure that your character development means that your protagonist is proactive and relatable. Readers will only care about your story if they care about the characters. Make sure each character is well-rounded and motivated, with a clear character objective and beliefs. Use your plot outline to set up situations that will challenge these characters, and create tension and conflict. Keep the pacing moving through your story, with the right balance of tension and downtime and watch out for the balance of action and information. You’ll be able to craft an emotional rollercoaster that will keep your readers engaged.
Character and Action Beats Expected In a Plot Outline
Some essential things to consider while building character and action beats in your plot outline are: What are the individual scenes of your story? What are the important characters in the story? What do the characters want or need that is linked to the plot or subplot? What are the backstory elements that motivate why the characters are acting the way they are? These points will help to create believable and fascinating fictional people who can act as the driving force behind each scene.
Common Mistakes Writers Make When Writing a Plot Outline
One common mistake writers make while crafting a plot outline is to follow the same clichés that have been elevated to tropes in our entertainment culture. Yes, you do want to honor what your target audience expects from your genre, but you should also aim to make your idea and plot fresh. Writers can sometimes get bogged down with too much detail in a plot outline. You will want a nimble document that you can use to draft, so make sure it’s manageable to work from. Remember, an overarching plot outline should mostly hit the key plot points, don't make it so detailed that it becomes robotic or loses its magic. You can bring your creative energy to the drafting process, and surprise yourself along the way.
Crafting an appealing plot outline is a key element to writing a successful novel. Starting with a blueprint for your story allows you to stay on track and write with purpose. Remember, writing a novel is a long, arduous process, but with a well-crafted plot outline, you'll be one step closer to a publishable story. Keep it fresh, keep it exciting, keep it unique and watch as your story comes to life.
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