How to Write a Story OutlineStep-by-step guide on drafting a story outline and plot.
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.
Before jumping into the outline steps, let’s first look at some of the key benefits of creating an outline for your story:
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.
Here is a step-by-step process for how to create an effective outline for your story:
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:
Clearly identify the premise early in the outline process to ensure your story sticks to a central idea.
No story can move forward without intriguing characters. Use your outline to develop the protagonist(s) and antagonists:
The key plot points provide the skeleton for your story’s beginning, middle, and end:
Most stories follow a three act structure, comprising of:
Use your outline to briefly summarize what happens in each act.
At the heart of every story is the thing that drives your protagonist forward. Determine:
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:
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.
Break your outline down chapter-by-chapter. Summarize:
Aim for 1-2 sentences per chapter.
Go back through your outline and add supporting details, examples, thoughts and ideas under each main plot point. Ask yourself:
Fleshing it out now will make writing easier later.
Once you have an outline, review it closely for any weak points in the plot and fix them. Look out for:
Revising your outline now will strengthen the story.
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:
Paragraphs 2-4:
Paragraph 5:
Final Paragraph:
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.
Give your outline a final review and make any last additions or changes. Ensure all the core elements are there, including:
If you need help getting started, here are some useful outline templates:
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.
Keep these tips in mind as you craft your story 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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