Outlining your story is one of the most important steps of the writing process. A solid story outline acts as a roadmap that can help guide you from start to finish. It allows you to see the big picture and ensure all the elements of your story fit together cohesively before you start writing your draft.
A good outline highlights the major plot points, conflicts, and turning points in your story. It helps you identify any plot holes, ensure proper pacing and story structure, and develop multidimensional characters and subplots. Outlining is especially useful for novels but can benefit short stories as well.
While outlining may feel tedious, investing the time into crafting a compelling outline will help you write a stronger, more focused story in the end. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create an effective story outline.
Contents: How to Write a Story Outline
Why You Need a Story Outline
Before jumping into the outline steps, let’s first look at some of the key benefits of creating an outline for your story:
- Gives you a high-level view of the entire storyline
- Helps you identify and fix potential plot holes
- Clarifies the stakes and main conflicts
- Ensures proper story structure and pacing
- Allows you to brainstorm ideas and make changes easily
- Helps develop multi-dimensional characters
- Organizes your thoughts and keeps your story focused
- Saves time and frustration when writing your draft
In summary, outlining gives you a solid framework to refer back to during the writing process. It makes the drafting stage easier and sets you up to write a compelling story readers will love.
How to Write a Story Outline in 11 Steps
Here is a step-by-step process for how to create an effective outline for your story:
Step 1: Identify the Premise
Every story starts with a basic premise – the underlying idea that drives the plot and action of your story. This is usually a short sentence that captures the main conflict or story question. For example:
- A jaded weatherman is forced to relive the same day over and over again until he gets it right.
- An ambitious lawyer experiences a crisis of conscience while defending a chemical company that polluted a town’s water supply.
Clearly identify the premise early in the outline process to ensure your story sticks to a central idea.
Step 2: Define the Main Characters
No story can move forward without intriguing characters. Use your outline to develop the protagonist(s) and antagonists:
- Protagonist – The central character pursuing the story goal and undergoing change. Flesh out key traits, background, motivations.
- Antagonist – The character or force working against the protagonist. Outline their goals and motivations.
- Supporting Characters – Other key figures influencing the protagonist or impacting the story.
Step 3: Map the Key Plot Points
The key plot points provide the skeleton for your story’s beginning, middle, and end:
- Inciting Incident – The event that disrupts the protagonist’s world and kicks off the story.
- Plot Point 1 – Major event at the end of Act 1 that spins the story in a new direction.
- Midpoint – Significant turn of events that shift stakes and dynamics at the middle.
- Plot Point 2 – Major event near the end of Act 2 that starts the climactic final phase.
- Climax – The height of conflict where protagonist overcomes the big challenge or obstacle.
- Resolution – The aftermath where loose ends are tied up and characters look ahead.
Step 4: Develop the Three Act Structure
Most stories follow a three act structure, comprising of:
- Act 1 (Beginning) – Sets up the characters, world and central conflict. Ends with Plot Point 1.
- Act 2 (Middle) – Protagonist works toward goal as stakes escalate. Ends with Plot Point 2.
- Act 3 (End) – Final showdown and climax. Protagonist overcomes obstacles to achieve goal or learn lesson.
Use your outline to briefly summarize what happens in each act.
Step 5: Define the Story Goal, Stakes and Main Conflict
At the heart of every story is the thing that drives your protagonist forward. Determine:
- The Story Goal – What your protagonist wants to achieve by the story’s end. This could be a physical goal or emotional.
- The Stakes – What will be lost or gained based on achieving or failing the goal? Raise the stakes as the story progresses.
- Main Conflict – The central obstacle standing in the way of the goal. The conflict could come in the form of the antagonist, nature, society, technology, etc.
Step 6: List Secondary Plot Lines and Subplots
While the main conflict drives your protagonist toward the climax, subplots create complexity. They involve secondary characters going through their own mini-arcs that intersect with and impact the main storyline.
When outlining, briefly summarize any subplots you want to incorporate:
- Romance Subplot – Outline any romantic relationships or love interests for the protagonist. These add complications, stakes, and chemistry.
- Personal Subplots – Identify any personal issues secondary characters are dealing with that will intertwine with the main events. For example, a sibling overcoming addiction or friend grieving a loss.
- The B Story – Also called the “love story,” this is a secondary plotline involving the protagonist’s relationship with a secondary character. Their bond often helps the protagonist grow.
- Comic Relief – Humorous secondary characters or side stories can provide moments of levity amidst dramatic main events.
- Backstories – Relevant details from a secondary character’s past that shape who they are today. Their history may connect with the protagonist’s journey in some way.
Keep subplots simple in the outline, summarizing only key details. They will allow you to further develop relationships and create a memorable cast of characters when you start writing.
Focus on choosing a handful of subplots that organically tie into and reinforce the primary storyline in some way. Avoid going overboard on too many distracting side stories. Use your outline to map out well-integrated subplots that make the world and characters come alive.
Step 7: Outline Each Chapter
Break your outline down chapter-by-chapter. Summarize:
- The key event(s)
- How the main conflict plays out
- Any new subplots/characters introduced
- How stakes escalate
Aim for 1-2 sentences per chapter.
Step 8: Add Supporting Details
Go back through your outline and add supporting details, examples, thoughts and ideas under each main plot point. Ask yourself:
- What’s the setting of each chapter?
- What supporting characters play a role?
- How does dialogue move the plot forward?
- What are key symbols or motifs?
Fleshing it out now will make writing easier later.
Step 9: Look for Plot Holes and Problems
Once you have an outline, review it closely for any weak points in the plot and fix them. Look out for:
- Logical gaps or inconsistencies
- Parts where more detail is needed
- Areas that seem too rushed or too slow
- Ways to increase conflict and stakes
- Moments where characters could be better utilized
Revising your outline now will strengthen the story.
Step 10: Write a Synopsis
After completing your outline, writing a short synopsis helps you solidify the overall story arc from start to finish before diving into your draft.
Aim to write a 1-2 page synopsis that summarizes the core narrative in prose form, hitting the main plot points:
Paragraph 1:
- Introduce the protagonist and their world.
- Set up the status quo and everyday life before the inciting incident.
- End with the inciting incident that disrupts the protagonist’s world.
Paragraphs 2-4:
- Explain the events of Act 1 including key conflicts and the first plot point.
- Describe how the protagonist pursues their story goal through the events of Act 2.
- Hit the major turning points and escalating conflicts across both acts.
Paragraph 5:
- Explain the climactic sequence where the protagonist finally overcomes the big conflict.
- Describe the resolution and how the protagonist has grown or changed by the story’s end.
Final Paragraph:
- Close with a paragraph summarizing the protagonist’s emotional arc and how they evolved from beginning to end.
Getting the full narrative down in prose will help crystallize the story progression before you begin writing your draft. It also provides a helpful reference document to ensure your novel or screenplay stays on track when writing later scenes.
Aim to make your synopsis concise yet compelling. Keep the tone and genre of your story in mind. This exercise will help you clarify the narrative from start to finish.
Step 11: Review Your Outline
Give your outline a final review and make any last additions or changes. Ensure all the core elements are there, including:
- A strong beginning hook
- A protagonist readers identify with
- Rising stakes and increasingly difficult obstacles
- Twists and surprises
- A climactic final confrontation
- A resolution with change/growth for the protagonist
Outline Templates and Tools
If you need help getting started, here are some useful outline templates:
- J.K. Rowling’s Novel Outline – See the 7-page outline for Harry Potter.
- Story Outline Template – A chapter-by-chapter outline template from K.M. Weiland.
- Snowflake Method – A popular technique for outlining using spreadsheet.
Other helpful outline tools include plot diagram templates, story structure worksheets, scene lists, character profiles, the hero’s journey and three act structure models. Use whichever combination works best for you. The key is customizing an outline method that keeps you organized and gives you a clear vision of your story.
5 Tips for Writing an Effective Outline
Keep these tips in mind as you craft your story outline:
- Don’t get too detailed or bogged down in specifics. Focus on big picture elements.
- Allow flexibility for new ideas. Don’t cling rigidly to your outline.
- Keep the tone, style and genre of your story in mind.
- Allocate more time and detail to important, pivotal scenes.
- Write linearly from beginning to end. This will help identify plot holes.
Benefits of Taking the Time to Outline
Outlining requires an upfront time investment but pays off in the long run. You will write with more confidence and avoid wasting time on drafts that meander or dead-end halfway through.
While some writers prefer to just dive right into a draft, outlining gives you an invaluable resource to reference as you write your story. It provides focus when you get lost in subplots or sidetracked on unimportant details.
Taking the time to craft a compelling outline sets you up for storytelling success. You’ll have all the major plot points, character arcs and story structure mapped out ahead of time, so you can focus on bringing it all to life in an engaging way for readers.
So give outlining a try for your next writing project! Remember, you can always deviate from or modify your outline as needed once the writing starts. The key is having that solid framework in place to get you off on the right foot as you embark on your storytelling journey.
Conclusion: How to Write a Story Outline
- Outlining identifies plot holes, organizes your thoughts, and clarifies character goals before writing your draft.
- Craft a compelling premise, characters, plot points, and conflicts in your outline.
- Map out a three-act structure and summarize each chapter’s events.
- Look for plot problems and fix them in the outline stage.
- Allow flexibility in your outline as new ideas emerge while writing.
- Take advantage of outline templates and tools tailored to novels and short stories.
- Invest time in outlining upfront to write a focused first draft with confidence.
I hope this guide gives you a helpful starting point for outlining your next story. Feel free to share any other tips or questions in the comments below! And be sure to check our blog more interesting contents.
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FAQ how to write story outline
Q: What is a story outline?
A: A story outline is a plan or blueprint for your novel or story. It helps you organize your ideas, develop your plot, and keep track of important elements of your story.
Q: Why is it important to write an outline for a story?
A: Writing an outline for a story is important because it helps you structure your ideas and gives you a roadmap for your writing. It can save you time and prevent you from getting stuck or lost in your story.
Q: How do I write a story outline?
A: To write a story outline, start by brainstorming your story idea. Then, determine the key plot points and the main characters. Next, create a timeline of events and outline the major scenes. Finally, summarize each chapter or section of your story.
Q: What are some ways to outline a story?
A: There are several ways to outline a story. Some writers prefer to use sticky notes or index cards to organize their ideas. Others like to create a visual diagram or use a digital outlining tool. Find a method that works best for you.
Q: How can an outline help me with my writing?
A: An outline can help you get organized and stay focused while you’re writing. It provides a structure for your story and helps you see the big picture. It can also help you identify any plot holes or areas that need further development.
Q: What should I include in my story outline?
A: Your story outline should include the main plot points, the key characters and their arcs, important settings or locations, and any major conflicts or obstacles that the protagonist must overcome.
Q: How detailed should my outline be?
A: The level of detail in your outline will depend on your personal preference and writing style. Some writers prefer a more detailed outline with specific scene descriptions, while others prefer a looser outline with just the main plot points.
Q: How do I start outlining my story?
A: To start outlining your story, begin by brainstorming your story idea and jotting down any initial thoughts or plot points. Then, organize your ideas into a logical sequence and start expanding on each plot point.
Q: What is the premise of a story?
A: The premise of a story is the underlying idea or concept that drives the plot. It is the foundation upon which the story is built and can be summed up in a single sentence.
Q: What is the best outline format to use?
A: The best outline format to use is the one that works best for you. Some writers prefer a traditional outline with Roman numerals and bullet points, while others prefer a more visual or digital format. Experiment with different formats to find what suits your needs.
