Outlining is a powerful tool for writers. It provides a clear roadmap for your story, helping you organize ideas, maintain focus, and avoid writer’s block. While some writers prefer to dive straight into drafting, others find that creating a detailed outline makes the writing process smoother and more efficient.
This guide will walk you through the steps to outline your story, offering tips and techniques to ensure your narrative flows seamlessly from beginning to end.
Why Outline a Story?
Outlining offers several benefits:
- Organizes Ideas: Ensures your plot points and character arcs are cohesive.
- Saves Time: Reduces the need for extensive rewriting by identifying potential issues early.
- Maintains Focus: Keeps you on track, especially in longer projects like novels.
- Enhances Creativity: Frees your mind to focus on details and storytelling rather than the overall structure.
Whether you’re writing a short story or an epic novel, outlining can provide the clarity and direction you need.
Step 1: Define Your Story’s Core Elements
Before diving into the outline, identify the fundamental aspects of your story:
1. Premise: What is your story about?
Write a one- or two-sentence summary of your story’s main idea.
Example:
“A young orphan discovers he’s a wizard and must battle a dark sorcerer who threatens to conquer the magical world.”
2. Theme: What is the underlying message?
Consider the central theme or lesson your story conveys, such as love, redemption, or the struggle between good and evil.
3. Genre and Tone: What is the overall feel of your story?
Decide on the genre (e.g., mystery, romance, fantasy) and tone (e.g., lighthearted, suspenseful, dramatic).
Example:
Genre: Mystery
Tone: Dark and suspenseful
4. Main Characters: Who are your protagonists and antagonists?
List their names, roles, and motivations.
Example:
- Protagonist: Detective Sarah Blake, determined to solve a series of murders to honor her late mentor.
- Antagonist: A mysterious serial killer who leaves cryptic notes at each crime scene.
Step 2: Decide on a Story Structure
Choose a structure that suits your narrative style. Common structures include:
1. Three-Act Structure:
- Act 1: Setup (introduce characters, setting, and conflict).
- Act 2: Confrontation (develop the conflict and raise stakes).
- Act 3: Resolution (resolve the conflict and conclude the story).
2. Hero’s Journey:
A character embarks on an adventure, faces trials, and returns transformed.
3. Snowflake Method:
Start with a simple premise and gradually expand it into a detailed outline.
4. Freytag’s Pyramid:
Focuses on exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Example: For a thriller, the three-act structure works well to build suspense and deliver a climactic finale.
Step 3: Identify Key Plot Points
Outline the major events that shape your story. These include:
1. Inciting Incident: The event that sets the story in motion.
Example: A journalist receives a mysterious tip about a government cover-up.
2. Key Turning Points: Moments that change the direction of the story.
Example: The protagonist discovers their best friend might be involved in the conspiracy.
3. Climax: The most intense moment of the story.
Example: The journalist exposes the truth while evading capture.
4. Resolution: How the story concludes.
Example: The protagonist clears their name and rebuilds their life.
Step 4: Create Scene Summaries
Break your story into individual scenes or chapters. For each scene, include:
- Setting: Where does the scene take place?
- Characters: Who is involved?
- Purpose: What does the scene achieve in terms of plot or character development?
- Conflict: What challenges or obstacles arise?
Example:
- Scene 1: A detective arrives at a crime scene and finds an unsettling message.
- Purpose: Introduces the protagonist and sets up the central mystery.
Step 5: Develop Subplots
Subplots add depth and complexity to your story. They should complement the main plot and provide opportunities for character growth.
Examples of Subplots:
- A romantic relationship that challenges the protagonist’s priorities.
- A strained friendship that is tested by the main conflict.
- A personal secret that threatens to unravel at the worst possible moment.
Example: In a fantasy novel, a subplot might involve the protagonist grappling with their heritage while trying to unite rival factions.
Step 6: Flesh Out Character Arcs
Characters should evolve throughout the story. Identify their starting points, challenges, and transformations.
Questions to Explore:
- How does the protagonist change by the end of the story?
- What internal conflicts do they face, and how are they resolved?
- How do secondary characters support or hinder the protagonist’s journey?
Example:
- Beginning: A timid student lacks confidence.
- Middle: They gain courage through a mentor’s guidance.
- End: They confront their fears and save their classmates.
Step 7: Plan for Pacing
Balance action, dialogue, and description to maintain a steady rhythm. Alternate between intense scenes and quieter moments to keep readers engaged.
Tips for Pacing:
- Use shorter chapters or scenes during high-tension moments.
- Expand on emotional or reflective moments to deepen character connections.
- Vary sentence length and structure to create a dynamic flow.
Example: A heist story might alternate between high-stakes action and planning sessions to maintain suspense.
Step 8: Add Foreshadowing and Twists
Foreshadowing hints at future events, while twists keep readers guessing. Plan these elements during the outlining stage to ensure they fit seamlessly into the narrative.
Examples:
- A seemingly minor detail that later becomes crucial to solving the mystery.
- A character’s hidden agenda revealed at a critical moment.
Example: A protagonist’s recurring nightmare foreshadows the climactic battle at the story’s end.
Step 9: Review and Refine
Once you’ve completed your outline, review it for clarity and coherence. Ask yourself:
- Does the story have a clear beginning, middle, and end?
- Are the stakes high enough to keep readers engaged?
- Do the characters’ motivations and actions feel believable?
Make adjustments to strengthen weak points or add missing details.
Step 10: Start Writing
With your outline as a guide, begin drafting your story. Remember, the outline isn’t set in stone—it’s a flexible framework that can evolve as you write.
Tips for Staying Flexible:
- Allow characters to surprise you.
- Be open to new ideas that enhance the story.
- Adjust the outline as needed to maintain flow and creativity.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Overcomplicating the Outline
Keep your outline concise and focused. Too much detail can become overwhelming.
2. Ignoring Character Motivation
Ensure every character’s actions align with their goals and personality.
3. Neglecting Subplots
Subplots should complement the main story, not overshadow it or feel disconnected.
4. Skipping Conflict
Conflict is the driving force of your story. Ensure every scene includes tension or stakes.
Tools to Help You Outline
- Scrivener: Organize scenes, characters, and plot points in one place.
- MindMeister: Create visual mind maps for brainstorming and structuring ideas.
- Trello: Use boards and cards to track plot points and subplots.
- Google Docs: Share and collaborate on outlines with others.
