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A plot outline is like your story’s skeleton. It’s the bones on which you hang the flesh, blood, sweat and tears of your story. It sketches out the underlying structure of your novel: its key stages, including critical developments and pivotal moments.
7 Steps To Writing A Plot Outline For Your Novel: Understand the purpose of your outline. Start with a barebones outline. Add a midpoint. Have a firm sense of purpose. Integrate your characters. Complete your outline. Work in circles. Understand The Purpose Of Your Outline
- Understand Why It’s Important. A novel outline is a structure that helps you articulate ideas around the central theme of your story. Here is an example of what the start of a novel outline looks like
- Select a Novel Outline Type. In writing novels, there is no right or wrong method. The same thing applies to the novel outline. There are different ways of planning your story.
- Leverage the Benefits of Using a Novel Outline. Despite your writing style and whether or not you’re an author who typically relies on a book outline template, it’s probably safe to say there are times you might wish you had one.
- Set the Stage. Just like in any field, poor planning will result in shaky structures that will later collapse. If you don’t set the stage well for your characters to exist and your setting to be logical, the story won’t make sense.
Dec 6, 2023 · 1. Choose your main character. 2. Give your main character a big problem. 3. Find a catalyst that sparks action. 4. Set obstacles on their path. 5. Define their biggest ordeal. 6. Figure out a resolution. 7. Pinpoint the character’s arc. 8. Connect the end to the start of the story.
- The One-Page Outline. If you have never outlined before… TRY THIS. The one-page outline is fast and easy to update as you write. It keeps your story focused on what matters most: the emotions that lead to a big, climactic finish.
- The “Three C’s” Outline. This is your fastest outlining strategy. It’s perfect for creating intense, rapid-fire stories. I first heard it from Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code.
- How to Outline with the Snowflake Method. The Snowflake Method is the best way to expand your unconnected ideas into a complete novel. It’s the perfect blend between outlining and discovery.
- The Three-Act Outline. The three-act structure is designed to set up and answer a single dramatic question. It’s perfect for screenwriting and for new authors because it provides simple, rigid guidelines.
May 6, 2024 · A novel outline is often described as a roadmap or blueprint for your story. It helps you see the big picture and plan the sequence of scenes, characters, and ideas that will become your novel. This guide and template will help you stay organized and on track as you write your next novel.
Sep 8, 2021 · How to Outline Your Novel in 5 Steps: Master Novel Template. Written by MasterClass. Last updated: Sep 8, 2021 • 9 min read. Plotting your entire novel can be an enormous challenge. You’ve had some time to begin developing your world and your characters, your moral gray area, and central conflicts, and now you face the daunting task of ...
