Outlining or planning your novel is an essential step in writing. It helps structure your story, prevent plot holes, and keep you focused. Contrary to the belief that outlining restricts creativity, it actually enhances flexibility. Once you have an outline, you're free to deviate from it if you come up with better ideas while writing. The outline gives you a foundation, but it doesn't limit your imagination.
With a clear outline in place, you can write more quickly and efficiently. Instead of constantly figuring out what happens next, you can focus on the actual writing, since you already know the direction of your story.
How to plan your novel:
1. Start with a central idea or premise
Begin by defining the core idea of your story. Ask yourself:
What is the story about?
What message or theme do you want to convey?
A simple, clear premise helps keep the outline grounded.
2. Define the key elements
Characters: Create detailed profiles of your main characters, including their goals, flaws, and growth arcs.
Setting: Decide where and when your story takes place. How does the setting influence the plot?
Conflict: Identify the central conflict that drives the story. It could be internal (emotional) or external (fighting an antagonist).
3. Choose a structure
Common novel structures include:
Three-act structure: This divides the story into setup, confrontation, and resolution.
The hero’s journey: A twelve-step structure commonly used in fantasy and adventure stories, focusing on a character’s transformation.
The snowflake method: Start with a single sentence summarising your story, then gradually expand it into a paragraph, and continue adding details to develop characters, plot points, and subplots.
4. Create a rough plot outline
Break your story down into chapters or scenes, jotting down key events.
Beginning: Establish your world, introduce the characters, and present the conflict.
Middle: Develop the conflict through challenges and obstacles. Build towards the story’s climax.
End: Resolve the main conflict, show how the characters have changed, and tie up loose ends.
5. Character arcs
Track your character’s emotional journey throughout the story. Think about:
How do your characters change from the beginning to the end?
What lessons do they learn?
Ensure that the character’s growth aligns with the plot.
6. Include subplots
Subplots add depth to your novel. They could involve secondary characters, romantic interests, or personal challenges that complement the main plot.
Incorporate these subplots into the outline, intertwining them with the main story arc.
7. Use tools to organise
Bullet points: Simply listing key events is a basic but effective way to outline.
Index cards: Each card represents a scene or chapter. Rearrange them easily to see how changes affect the overall flow.
Mind Maps: Visualize connections between characters, settings, and plot points using mind maps.
Storyboards: Create a visual layout of your story, similar to how films are planned.
8. Focus on pacing
Balance between fast-paced action scenes and slower, emotional moments. Make sure there’s tension and progression in every chapter.
Ensure each scene drives the plot forward or develops the characters.
9. Flexible drafts
An outline is not set in stone. As you write, you may discover new ideas or directions. Allow your outline to evolve.
10. Review and adjust
Revisit your outline frequently, refining plot details and ensuring it supports the overall theme and message.
Example of a basic outline:
Act 1: Introduce the protagonist, establish the setting, and introduce the conflict.
Act 2: Escalate the conflict. The protagonist faces increasing challenges and learns critical lessons.
Act 3: The climax occurs. The protagonist confronts the antagonist or solves the main conflict. The story resolves, showing character growth or change.
Beginning a novel can feel daunting. By planning your novel in advance, you’ll find it easier to keep track of your story and maintain momentum throughout the writing process. Having a well-thought-out outline gives you the confidence that your story works on a structural level. This reassurance helps you push through the difficult phases of writing with a clear goal in mind.
In short, outlining helps you organize your thoughts, streamline the writing process, and create a more structured and coherent novel.
If you'd like more help bringing your writing to life and getting it in perfect shape before publication, whether it be a basic proofread or full edit, get in touch to find out how we can work together.
Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash
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