I have a confession to make. Please don’t judge me. But I have to tell someone, otherwise I’ll stop writing about how to outline a novel and give into streams of consciousness. But who knows what direction this post will take?
So here’s my confession. I am a recovering pantser.
I knew something had to change once I learned how critical story structure is to the commercial success of a novel. Neuroscience shows the human brain uses story structure to make sense of information. Story expert and author Kendall Haven calls this the brain’s “make sense network.” Activating this network through pantsering is a roll of the dice. When that sunk in for me years ago, I changed and became a plotter.
My journey as a plotter has included learning how to outline a novel. I became concerned at first that outlining would dampen my creativity or diminish the uniqueness of my stories. Turns out, it’s the opposite. Let me show you, as I share a simple process for outlining a novel, along with a resource or two that will help you level up your storytelling.
Benefits of a Novel Outline
One way to talk about the benefits of outlining a novel is to expose the false beliefs tied to sticking with a pantser approach. I’ll share the top five, then I’ll show you the outlining process.
False belief #1: Readers won’t think my story is special
Outlining helps make your story even more special by ensuring it has a sound and strong structure and impactful plot twists. Readers will stay engaged, because you’ve thought through what makes your story stand out.
False belief #2: I’ll have to waste a lot of time before I get to writing
Outlining saves time in the long run by reducing the need for extensive rewriting and editing later on. It’s like creating a roadmap before a trip. You’re less likely to get lost. And you will reach your destination faster.
False belief #3: I’ll have to stop focusing on the artistry of writing my story
Outlining provides a structure that sets up artistry. Think of it as setting up a canvas before you paint. You can still focus on what writers do: write fantastic prose with vivid descriptions. Still able to create intriguing characters and the rest.
False belief #4: I’ll lose the ideas that pop into my head during the process
Outlining gives you a place to capture those spontaneous ideas and to fit them into the larger picture. When a new idea pops up, you add it to your outline and see how it enhances the story. This way, you’re more organized and less likely to forget.
False belief #5: I don’t know all the details yet.
You don’t need to know every detail when you start outlining. Not even the name of your protagonist. Such details get added in later. Besides, outlining serves as a flexible guide, not a rigid set of rules. It helps you save time, come up with cool ideas, and improve your story. It’s like having a plan that lets you be creative and discover details as you go without getting lost.
Outlining is a tool to explore your ideas, not a commitment to knowing everything upfront. It allows you to adjust as your understanding of the story and characters deepens.
It’s worth repeating. Outlining doesn’t stifle creativity, it stimulates it. The outlining process can take writers like us from a blank page to an idea for a story, to a detailed outline of a story that has a solid structure.
How to Write a Novel Outline
As I share the 5 steps, allow me first to mention two other amazing resources. The first is Fictionary StoryTeller, a writing app that offers story structure support for every step of your outlining, writing, and editing journey. It’s the writing app I use to write my stories.
The second resource is “Secrets to Outlining a Novel” by K. Stanley and L. Cooke. This 300+ page book is the best comprehensive guide on how to write a novel outline. The 5 steps I’m about to share are based on content from this book.
In addition, when going through the steps, you’ll come across important terms that need clarification. Here they are. Take a moment to look at them before you continue.
- Story blurb: A brief description of a story that tells what it’s about without giving away the ending.
- Skeleton blurb: A basic summary of a story that only includes the main idea and key characters.
- Story promise: What the writer promises the reader will happen or that the story will explore.
- Story arc scenes: These scenes are the inciting incident, plot point one, middle plot point, plot point two, climax, and resolution.
- Story synopsis: A summary that explains the main events and characters of a story from beginning to end.
- Skeleton synopsis: The shortest form of a story synopsis. This is a simple outline that shows select details from a story’s key scenes, called story-arc scenes. These include: inciting incident, plot point 1, middle plot point, plot point 2, and climax.
- Scene main event: a one-line statement showing the main action of a scene.
Now for the 5 steps:
Create the Skeleton Blurb
A skeleton blurb is a one-sentence summary of your story, containing three parts: (1) the protagonist; (2) the external story goal of the protagonist; and (3) the stakes.
Begin your outline by filling in the information for these three. Who is the protagonist? What is the protagonist’s external goal? What extreme harm comes to your protagonist, or to the world, if the goal fails?
Consider this example:
Protagonist: the trusted chamberlain of a king
Story Goal: prevent the king’s sons from inheriting the throne
Stakes: the chamberlain will be stripped of his position and imprisoned for life when the king dies
Step 2: Write the Skeleton Blurb
A skeleton blurb follows this convention:
[The protagonist] must [the story goal]; otherwise, [the stakes].
Using the elements from Step 1, here’s my skeleton blurb:
The trusted chamberlain of a king must prevent the king’s sons from inheriting his throne, otherwise, he will be stripped of his position and imprisoned for life when the king dies.
Step 3: Create a Skeleton Synopsis
Use the skeleton blurb you wrote earlier to begin the skeleton synopsis. Then, write the main event for each of the story arc scenes in the following order:
- Inciting incident: the main event here is the start of the threat mentioned in the stakes of the skeleton blurb.
- Plot point 1: the main event here is the moment the protagonist, having no other option, commits to pursuing the story goal.
- Middle plot point: the main event here causes the protagonists to change from being reactive to proactive in relation to pursuing the story goal
- Plot point 2: the main event here mirrors the action of plot point 1 and causes the protagonist to sink to their lowest point. In the second half of plot point 2, the protagonist gets up and keeps pushing toward the story goal.
- Climax: the main event here is when the protagonist either reaches the story goal or fails.
This order feels counter-intuitive at first. It makes more sense when factoring in how the various story arc scenes play off each other. For instance, plot points 1 and 2 mirror each other. So do the inciting incident and climax. The middle plot point serves as a transition to show the protagonist starting to lead and to pursue the story goal proactively.
Here are the main events for the outline I’ve started:
- Skeleton blurb: The trusted chamberlain of a king must prevent the king’s sons from inheriting his throne; otherwise, he will be stripped of his position and imprisoned for life when the king dies.
- Inciting incident: The trusted chamberlain confronts two of the king’s sons for their drunken parties and harsh mistreatment of the servants.
- Plot point 1: The trusted chamberlain disguises himself as a servant and overhears the king’s sons plotting to imprison him when their elderly father dies.
- Middle plot point: The trusted chamberlain offers evidence of the depravity of the king’s sons and receives permission from the king on his deathbed to remedy the situation.
- Plot point 2: The trusted chamberlain attempts to arrest the king’s sons, fails, is thrown into prison, awaiting execution.
- Climax: The trusted chamberlain escapes and leads a band of fellow prisoners to defeat and exile the king’s sons.
Step 4: Name the Story Arc Scenes
Here is how I named the story arc scenes I’ve outlined so far. Notice I’ve included the skeleton blurb and the main event for each scene in italics beneath the name:
Skeleton blurb: The trusted chamberlain of a king must prevent the king’s sons from inheriting his throne; otherwise, he will be stripped of his position and imprisoned for life when the king dies.
- Inciting Incident: The trusted chamberlain’s bold rebuke
The trusted chamberlain confronts two of the king’s sons for their drunken parties and the harsh mistreatment of the servants.
- Plot point 1: The chamberlain overhears a deadly plot
The trusted chamberlain disguises himself as a servant and overhears the king’s sons plotting to imprison him when their elderly father dies.
- Middle plot point: The chamberlain’s last plea
The trusted chamberlain offers evidence of the depravity of the king’s sons and receives permission from the king on his deathbed to remedy the situation.
- Plot point 2: The chamberlain’s failed arrest
The trusted chamberlain attempts to arrest the king’s sons, fails, is thrown into prison, and awaits execution.
- Climax: The chamberlain’s daring escape
The trusted chamberlain escapes and leads a band of fellow prisoners to defeat and exile the king’s sons.
Completing Steps 1-4 will yield an outline like the one above. We’re not finished yet, though it’s already possible to spot potential plot holes or weak points prior to investing tons of time writing draft after draft. It also helps prevent writer’s block by giving a structure to follow and a focus to maintain.
The story arc scenes of well structured stories appear in one of three larger and distinct parts: Act One (Setup), Act Two (Confrontation), and Act Three (Resolution). Each serves a specific purpose. Act One establishes the main character and setting, includes the inciting incident, and leads to plot point one.
Then comes Act Two. The first half of Act Two takes the story from plot point one to a lead up to the middle plot point. The second half of Act Two runs from the reaction to the middle plot point to a lead-up to plot point 2. Acts 3 brings the story home, starting with plot point 2 and then moving forward to the climax and resolution.
Filling in the main actions and names for the other scenes in each of the three Acts will yield a more comprehensive outline and all its benefits.
Step 5 – Repeat Steps 3 and 4
Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the other scenes in Act One, then for the scenes in Act Two, and then for the scenes in Act Three.
As you set out to complete this step, the first thing you’ll notice is that each of three Acts comes with additional scenes beyond those that form the story arc scenes.
- Stanley and L. Cooke do an outstanding job of walking you through each one in “Secrets to Outlining a Novel.”. They show how the information central to the main event of one scene ties to others.
That’s one benefit of not stopping with the story arc scenes, but pressing on with the main events and names for all the scenes in Acts One, Two, and Three. Another is the momentum you gain for turning seed thoughts into complete outlines, and complete outlines into fewer drafts, and fewer drafts into well-written, complete stories.
Tips for Writing a Book Outline
As you get going, here are three tips to smooth the way:
- Plot Holes: Identify gaps where the logic of your story breaks down. Pay special attention to your story arc scenes and make adjustments where needed.
- Weak Conflict: Strengthen the stakes or add complications to make the conflict more engaging.
- Stay flexible: Be open to changing your outline as new ideas come up or the story evolves during the writing process.
Novel Outline Templates
The Fictionary StoryTeller app offers a choice of five distinct story outline templates. Which you choose depends on the type of story you’re aiming to write. The five templates are:
- Universal
- Fantasy
- Romance
- Open Series
- Closed Series
Within each template, you will also find detailed notes describing key considerations for writing each of its scenes.
Wrap-up
Outlining a novel can feel like a daunting task at first, but it can also make writing much easier and more enjoyable. By following the five simple steps outlined here, you’ll be able to create a strong, flexible framework that guides your story from start to finish. And you won’t have to sacrifice creativity. You’ll establish a foundation, instead, that frees you to explore and shape your story with confidence. The key is to stay flexible, let your ideas evolve, and use your outline as a guide, not a strict rulebook.
Whether you’re a seasoned plotter or a recovering pantser like me, taking the time to outline will help bring your story to life and make the writing process smoother and more rewarding.
You’ve got this!