How to write an outline for a novel idea

Share via Email Illustration: Jot down notes as they come to you and put them into their own folders.

Subscribe to our FREE email newsletter and download free character development worksheets! Writers either love outlines, or they hate them.

My experience has been that more often than not, those who swear they dislike outlines are thinking of them in the wrong ways. Outlines are not meant to trap you into preset ideas or sap your creativity before you start the first draft.

Outlines are also definitely not meant to be lifeless Roman-numeral lists. This guest post is by K.

Why Bother with an Outline?

She makes her home in western Nebraska. To imbue your writing with the full power of outlining, you need to approach the process from a mindset of flexibility and discovery. At their best, outlines can help you flesh out your most promising story ideas, avoid dead-end plot twists and pursue proper structure.

And the greatest part? They save you time and prevent frustration. Sketching out your plot and characters in your first draft can take months of trial and error. Figuring out those same elements in an outline requires a fraction of the time—and then allows you to let loose and have fun in your first draft.

Although this outlining method is one I use myself and highly recommend, keep in mind that there is no right or wrong way to outline a story. The only requirement is that you find the groove that works for you. Your premise is the basic idea for your story.

This is why your outline needs to begin with a tightly crafted premise sentence that can answer the following questions: How will that condition be changed, for better or worse, by the hero himself or by the antagonistic force? At the beginning, what does the hero want? What moral or immoral choices will she have to make in her attempt to gain that objective?

Who or what stands in the way of the hero achieving his objective?

Chandler Bolt

What misfortune will befall the hero as the result of her attempts to achieve her objective?For more ideas and creatives ways to jump-start your novel outline, check out How to Write a Novel Outline.

Here’s the takeaway: No matter which option you choose, ultimately, you’ll write faster and better with a book outline.

Jun 30,  · In fact, I have found it is a good idea to spend a few weeks just working on your novel outline and structure. During this time you’re basically writing an abbreviated version of your story, figuring out plot twists, developing characters and building your fictional caninariojana.coms: Though you may not have an outline per se, obviously you must have an idea or you have no business in that chair.

I repeat: don’t go to the keyboard with nothing to say. Come with an idea!

How to Write an Outline (with Free Sample Outlines) - wikiHow

Be able to state it in one sentence. Tell me what your story is about. My first novel was about a judge who tried a man for a murder that the judge had committed.

Somehow he now applies his intellect to the science of novel writing and teaching novel writing, and he is the story outline extraordinaire. If you’re an Outliner, go to his site and check out his Snowflake Method of outlining your novel, and also invest in his Writing Fiction for Dummies.

How To Create A Plot Outline In 8 Easy Steps* By Glen C. Strathy. Follow @glencstrathy. How would you like to create a plot outline for your novel in less than an hour that is emotionally compelling and dramatically sound?

How to write a novel | Brainstorming your book ideas | Books | The Guardian

It's easier than you think. I have this genius idea to write a book about the topic that, in the book, breaks our. Brainstorming your story ideas When it is time to outline and write, fleshing out these scenes will be very simple. How to write a novel: Got an idea .