Outlining Process and Tips

[Kelli]

Do you guys have any tips on your favorite way to outline a book? What process do you guys go through before starting a novel? Any good books that you would recommend on the subject?

I'm not going to lie, the first draft of my manuscript is a bit of a mess. I kept changing my mind about things as I went, so I know I have a major undertaking ahead of me when I start the editing/revision process.

I don't think that I'll ever be a tried and true planner, but I would like to incorporate some better planning and outlining habits into my writing routine. That's why I'm coming to the experts. :)

Any tips or recommendations you would like to share would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[Stan]

I usually have an outline in my mind of where the book is going. The first sentence in the first chapter is suppose to engage the reader, but I would expand that to the first paragraph. The climax does not have to be in the last chapter. Sometimes putting it there causes the ending to be too abrupt.

If you have set a set amount of words you are looking to write, for example 100,000, you might try breaking the book into a set number of chapters to begin, and then writing a brief synopsis of each chapter. That will let you start putting scenes into each chapter. Or you can ignore the total amount of words and concentrated on the number of words in each chapter. In my latest book, I decided to write chapters of between 5,200 words and 5,800 words. That forced me to be more concise, and I wrote a better book. I ignored the total and just wrote until I was finished with the book, but each chapter is about the same length.

[Kelli]

Stan wrote: "I usually have an outline in my mind of where the book is going. The first sentence in the first chapter is suppose to engage the reader, but I would expand that to the first paragraph. The clima..."

Thanks, Stan! Great tips! I like the idea of writing out a brief synopsis of each chapter before starting. I like to be flexible and just let the story flow, but I'm thinking I was a little bit too flexible with this book. Ha!

I think I'm going to go back to the beginning and re-outline my story now that I have a better idea of how I want things to play out. Seems backwards, but I think it might help me in the revisions. Live and learn -- I've learned that I need to take more time in the beginning to think things through.

[Philip]

Kelli wrote: "Stan wrote: "I usually have an outline in my mind of where the book is going. The first sentence in the first chapter is suppose to engage the reader, but I would expand that to the first paragrap..."

I have previous experience writing outlines for proposals and presentations then expanding from bullet points out to complete paragraphs. With my fiction writing I have found that my latest preferred software has helped organise my writing whilst maintaining flexibility. I have started using Scrivener in the last few months and I can outline, write synopsis or just let it flow, loosing nothing and rearranging at will.

I also allows flexibility on characters, scenes and other research materials. i wish I had used it for my first book, my second did and my subsequent ones will. Yes it can be complicated if you let it but the tutorials are excellent.

Of course you can outline with pen and paper, I used to use a large A3 drawing pad but I just treat Scrivener that way.

[L]

Once i had decided on Genre and title of book, then i wrote the blurb (or summary of story) in general. Once i knew what would happen i then drew a map of my world, so that i could clearly envisage the setting in which my story would unfold.
Then, i listed the sections of the book to give it some structure and in each section the chapters. In my novel, each section has a title and so does the chapter. Creating titles/ headings for each part helped to summerize each bit into a few words.
Then i wrote about a paragraph (or less) on what would happen in each chapter. These brief guidelines helps me to know what i am writing about without being too structured and detailed ~ so that there is room for creativity.
Once a character list and brief idea on what characters are like/ places in world my plan was then done.

Without a plan i would have struggled to begin writing, and with each section i wrote it became more and more detailed and complex ~ so having that basic outline & details written down really helps! Despite following the basic plot that is written down, i am able to add in events and expand the simple outline of each chapter. It is interesting to see how i begin with this loose idea and to watch how it expands and forms something quite different on the page ~ a writer's mind i suppose & imaginative ideas?!

It is down to the indavidual as to how much you plan and write down before you begin writing. You will know how much is best for you. It is beneficial i feel to have your ideas on paper, so that you don't forget anything and you can include other ideas later on.