An outline is a general plan. For a novel, that can be as simple or as in-depth as you want. Some writers outline every single scene of their novel before they write. Some only outline a little bit. Some write a synopsis as an overview of the story they’re planning to write.
I never outlined a book until after I was published. The first time I was asked to write a book on a deadline, I decided to outline to help me write faster and keep me from getting lost writing scenes that I’d later have to cut. I still like the process of writing without an outline, but it isn’t always ideal. Whether or not to plan part or all of your story in advance is entirely up to you.
When outlining a story, where do you start? I’m a fan of using the three-act structure as a guide. I simply list the different parts of the three-act structure in a notebook, a Word or Excel document, or a plot chart. Next I write in the ideas I already know about my story. Then I’m left to brainstorm scenes to fill in the empty spaces. Here are a few plotting worksheets I made, like this one for a one-POV story or this one for a two-POV story.
I also really like the Beat Sheet from Blake Snyder’s book Save the Cat. Blake was a screenwriter. His beat sheet is written with Hollywood terms, but I find it extremely helpful in creating a solid story outline. There are many other plot worksheets out there. Spending some time on Google can help you find them.
Once I find the plot chart I want to use, I fill it in with what I already know about my story. If I don’t know anything, that’s okay. It’s time to brainstorm! I grab a piece of paper and jot down a list of scene ideas. As I work, I start to get a feeling for my story. I might cross out some of my ideas or alter them. I might check my scenes for necessary genre conventions. I might also track subplots or places where I could add foreshadowing. At this point, I can take this list and place the scenes where they best fit on my plot chart. If I’m still not feeling confident, storyboarding my idea can help.
Storyboarding is a technique moviemakers use at various points in the process of creating a film. I use storyboarding to help me plot stories. I take my list of scenes and write each scene on a 3 X 5 index card. Then I lay the cards out on the floor—or tape them up on the wall, if I have space. I arrange the cards in four rows, one row for act one, two rows for act two, and one row for act three. These rows can be horizontal or vertical.
Once I have my scenes laid out, I’m able to look at the story at a glance and know what big pieces are missing. On the storyboard pictured below, only seven scenes are laid out so far.
Next I would take some more time to brainstorm and see if I can fill in the rest of the spaces. In particular, I’m going to want to think about how one scene will end and lead to the next scene. Sometimes I have to think up ideas for new scenes to connect scenes. It’s important to note that none of this is ever set in stone. Stories are alive, and the moment I start writing them and characters start to take over, things can change. That’s okay! Storyboarding is a loose plan to guide me as I write. I always end up making changes. Sometimes I need to make so many changes—or I simply get frustrated when the story isn’t working—that I start over rather than trying to fix what I have. Every writer is different, and you will need to find your own process through trial and error. When I’m done, my storyboard will look something like the image below.
At this point, I can start writing. I number my cards, then stack them in order and set them beside my computer. I try to write at least one card a day as I work through creating my first draft. Had I the space, I would likely keep the storyboard cards posted on the wall beside my computer where I could easily ruminate over them and make changes if needed.
Planning out your story in advance can save you lots of time, and it can be a lot of fun too. There are other ways to outline a novel besides using plot charts and storyboarding. You can search online for more ideas to try until you find one that works best for you.
Any questions? Do you outline? Do you use storyboarding? Do you use another method of outlining? Share in the comments.
Jill Williamson is a chocolate loving, daydreaming, creator of kingdoms, and the author of several young adult fantasy novels including the Blood of Kings trilogy. She loves teaching about writing. She blogs at goteenwriters.com and also posts writing videos on her YouTube channel and on Instagram. Jill is a Whovian, a Photoshop addict, and a recovering fashion design assistant. She grew up in Alaska without running water or electricity and now lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two kids. Find Jill online at jillwilliamson.com or on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
I don’t really outline much. I will keep a general loose plot idea in my head, but most of it I forget by the time I get to that spot in my writing.
Thanks for the post!!
P.S. I can’t wait for cover reveal day tomorrow!!!!!
That’s interesting, Isabelle. And I KNOW! I’m excited too. ?
This post was so helpful as I’m trying to outline a novella right now! Do you have any tips on how to outline a contest plot? I’m having a hard time filling in all those ending scenes in a 3 Act structure since my story basically ends when the person wins or loses the contest. Or for a novella would it be okay to not quite have all those scenes?
That’s totally up to you, but honestly, a contest plot lends itself perfectly to the three-act structure. Look at Hunger Games or the movie Rat Race. There is always the low moment when it looks like they’re going to loose and nothing they can do will change that, they get a final burst of strength and go on the win.
Is that what you meant by “ending scenes?”
Ok thanks!
Outlining is literally my favorite thing in the universe. That may sound a little weird, but I don’t really care. When I get an idea, I like to take it and run. I can take the seed of wisdom and writing and other fun stuff and make it into a TREE of wisdom and writing and other fun stuff. Then my tree bears FRUITS of wisdom and writing and other fun stuff. That’s basically my thought process when writing. Seed, tree, fruit. It make sense…. kind of. But outlines especially help me with my slumps. If I can plan my idea (seed) out ahead of time, I can have good stamina. I can get all my thoughts on paper (tree) and then prime more ideas and characters and problems into the gaps, which is my fruit.
Awesome post!
That’s awesome, Ally. I like your seed, tree, fruit analogy. Another cool think about the seed level of outlining is that you can take a day or two to outline a story idea that is trying to take over your brain (when you are supposed to be working on something else). Then you can file away your little outline, and when you have time you can come back to it and jog your memory.
That is so true Ally M.J! I feel almost the exact same way about outlining. I’m definitely an outliner at heart, because I like to know at least a little about what’s going to happen throughout my story so I can tie it in throughout the entire story. And definitely the seed, tree, fruit thing is a perfect way to describe how it is ? I have definitely wanted to try storyboarding so I can get a good feel of the details of the story! Amazing post! Thank you so much!
You’re welcome. Have fun storyboarding. I love it!
It’s so interesting to see how others plot! I’ve always been a pantser but I’m trying to plot more so I can actually finish my books, and I just finished plotting my NaNo novel a few days ago. Hopefully I finish this year!
I’m not one to outline the WHOLE story before I start writing, I usually outline some, write until I’m stuck, then outline some more. Thanks for a very helpful post, Ms. Jill!!!
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I’m not one to outline the WHOLE story before I start writing, I usually outline some, write until I’m stuck, then outline some more. Thanks for a very helpful post, Ms. Jill!!!
? It’s fun to see how others arrange their ideas!