3 Ways to Write an Outline
A
lot of people think that writing an outline is hard and confining.
But it doesn't have to be. Even if you think of yourself as a
pantser, a simple outline can help you get through writing your story
a little bit better.
An
outline doesn't have to be a binding contract that you must follow or the world will end.
It's purpose is to help you know where your story is going. If you
want to deviate from it because something else is working better,
then do so.
That's
why today we're going to be looking at three ways you could try
writing an outline. There are levels for everyone, from beginners to
more advanced, from “pantsers” to “planners”.
Way
1: The Summary Method
The
first method is very simple. Take out a piece of paper or open a Word
document. Then write out a page or two summary of everything that
happens in your story from beginning to end.
This
works well when you want to leave things very open and up to you in
the writing process. Think of this type of outline as a map, showing
you where you need to go and how to get there. But at any time, you
can take another path if you so chose. Your map can show all the ways
you could get from point A to point B, but it's up to you to pick the
path.
Way
2: The Plot Point Method
For
this method, you need a basic understanding of plot points. Inciting
incident, mid-point, climax, and all that. Write down each plot point
on your paper or document and fill in the accompanying parts of your
story. It might take you a lot of thought, and possibly the need to
draw things out, but you'll get through it.
It's
a little trickier than the first method, but it can be quite helpful
in getting your plot in order. This type of outline is more like a
errand list. You have a list of places you need to hit, but what you
do in between them is up to you. As you go along, you might even
realize that some of your plot points don't work anymore, and can
change them to fit with how your story is going now.
Way
3: The Chapter/Scene Summary Method
This
method is the most complex of all three, but if you're like me, it
gives you a sense of security in knowing exactly where your story is
going and what has to happen in each scene or chapter. For this one,
it's best to start with knowing where all your plot points are. You
can use the method above to find them. Then you can either write a
summary of what happens in each chapter of your book or each scene.
The
chapter way gives you a little more freedom than the scene way. This
method is perfect for people who love to have everything planned out
in advance. This is more like an instruction manual, telling you
exactly how to get the result you want. Not that you can't do
something different if you want or feel like the story needs it.
Remember,
an outline's job is to help you get your story where you need to go.
It is not something that says you can only write the story one way.
I've often added things that were never in my outline or changed
something completely. And even if it doesn't come out right the first
time, that's what editing is for.
How do you outline your novel? Do you have any tips? Tell me in the comments.
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