Outlining is typically my favorite part of the writing process, and the one that gives me the most trouble. So I’ve made a list of 8 questions to ask yourself when getting to know your story.
1. Who is your protagonist?
This goes beyond the basics - what is their name, where do they live, etc. The most important question you can ask when plotting a story is “What does my protagonist want?” followed shortly by “What is my protagonist able and unable to do?”
2: What is in your protagonist’s way?
Every story needs conflict. No one wants to read a short story where everything goes the protagonist’s way, and they certainly don’t want to read a novel like that. Ask yourself who or what has what your protagonist wants, or who or what is preventing them from getting it. Whether this is a person, an object, or a force of nature or the supernatural, the main obstacle in your protagonist’s way is your antagonist.
3: What does your protagonist need?
What tools do they need to get what they want? What allies do they need? Where do they have to go? Basically, ask yourself how your protagonist can counter their obstacles.
4: Who can help your protagonist?
Harry couldn’t have reached the Sorcerer’s Stone alone, and Frodo had eight pals to walk to Mordor with him. While some stories work well with a lone wolf protagonist, most need an ally or two to achieve their goals. Take some time thinking about who is around your protagonist, and how they can help - or hinder. Every single character can affect the plot in some way, if given the chance.
5: How does your protagonist intend to get what they want?
Now that you know what they need, it’s time to look closer as your protagonist as a person. How would they approach the problem? Would they try path A or path B first? Protip: the first path almost never works, and if it does, it should be a bittersweet victory. Your protagonist’s first attempt should leave them with a new obstacle, a new next step to conquer.
6: Now what’s standing in the protagonist’s way?
Since Plan A didn’t exactly work out, we need to figure out a Plan B. This means we need to know what Plan B is made for. You have to know your next obstacles before you can know how to overcome them.
Step six is usually repeated a couple of times to give a story more meat. Typical novels repeat it one to four times, but that number is just as flexible as everything else. Be careful that you’re not boring your readers with impossible odds, but also be careful that your protagonist doesn’t get everything too easily. Do what feels natural here.
7: How does the protagonist get what they want?
So we know how they intended to get it, but how do they really get it? How do they finally best the last of their obstacles and claim the prize? This is your climax, the point of highest tension in your story.
8: How has all of this changed the protagonist’s life?
What’s different now that the story is over? How does book 7 Harry differ from book 1 Harry? Can your protagonist go home, or are they irrevocably changed? Have fun with this, you earned it. It’s the moment your story has been leading up to, and often the message you’ve been trying to send.
So there you have it, 8 quick tips for your basic story outline. Remember that none of these are hard-and-fast rules, and that every story differs. Use these as a guideline when you’re stuck, but don’t be afraid to break the mold a little. Happy plotting!
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