I was wondering if you knew any basic guides to outlining a novel for the first time?
How to Outline Your StoryÂ
This is a question I get a lot, probably because itâs a part of the âstartingâ stage of writing, which is perhaps the most difficult part.Â
Once you get into it, writing a novel can be a breeze, but getting through the process of actually starting it is the reason why so many great ideas wind up shelved.Â
Unfortunately for you pantsers out there who just like to dive right in, outlining any long-term project is very, very important. (And if youâre still having trouble, try this post about plotting for pantsers and pantsing for plotters)
Without an outline to keep your story consistent, you can wind up in the same dilemma I did; working on your novel for almost ten years because I started writing it without having any idea of where it would be going.
FYI: Donât let the outlining stage get in the way of your creative flow! If you suddenly have an amazing idea and the urge to just write, do it! You can outline and work out the kinks later!Â
(Just so you all know, this is how I personally like to outline! This may not work for everyone!)
1. Get the Characters Down First
Characters are like the chess pieces of the story. Their moves and strengths/weaknesses will decide what is going to happen and how it will happen. Sure, you can have a nice plot and setting, but without the characters, the story is meaningless.
Here is the character chart that I usually use:
Name (First/Middle/Last/Maiden name)
The goal of your character is the most important part. Without a drive to achieve anything, itâll be impossible for your character to drive the plot or to improve overall. The whole point of the novel is to find out if your protagonist achieves their goal, so without a goal, you have no novel!
If you want more tips on character development, check out my FAQ!
2. Go Chapter by Chapter (Or Event by Event)
The biggest thing for outlining is to know the beginning and the end, and then to fill everything in the middle.Â
Just like with rendering in art, the idea is to go general to specific; you canât just start painting a realistic masterpiece right away. You have to start with a sketch, then move on to basic shapes, then refine the features, and then start into the little details!
Start with beginning and end. Then beginning, middle, and end. Then add more events between that. The whole point is to find some sort of progression, and how your characters get from point A to point B (whether it be physically or mentally). Once you get super specific, you can start outlining specific scenes that you want to happen in your story.Â
This wonât happen in a night, and donât feel like you have to rush it! It may take several revisions to get your outline just right!
I personally like the idea of going chapter by chapter, and like to jot down all the important events that will happen in a chapter rather than refine every single minute detail, kind of like this:
Inciting incident (bar fight?)
Foreshadow Character Bâs betrayal
After bar scene, talking on stoop
Character A phone call with mom, show tense relationship
Cool neon lights, describe alley
Just know that thereâs no ârightâ way to outline, and just to do whatever works for you, as long as it helps you remember where your story has to go and what steps have to be taken to get there.
Make picrews of the characters! Create moodboards and aesthetics with pictures youâve gathered that remind you of your idea! Make playlists of songs for each character, or for just the idea in general! Gather up stuff that help you embody that vague âvibeâ that made you want to write in the first place!
Even though others might tell you otherwise, this most definitely is a form of outlining, because itâs helping you bring your story together in the way that you want! The only way it could ever be detrimental is if you do too much of it and overwork the idea until you donât really want to write anymore, but otherwise, create away!
4. Know that you donât have to stick to it
An outline is just that: an outline.Â
Itâs not the final decision for the plot, itâs the first draft for the plot.Â
If youâre writing and one of the points just isnât working anymore, you donât have to keep it because it was a part of your outline. Donât force it, because then youâll lose your creative spark and wonât want to work on your story anymore.
Hope this helped, and happy writing!
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