As a writer, outlining your fiction story can be a daunting task. But with the right approach, you’ll find that it’s not only manageable but also essential for crafting a compelling narrative.

It is a crucial step in the process of writing any story, be it a blog post or a novel. It helps you organise your thoughts and ideas, develop your plot and characters, and ensures that your story flows smoothly from beginning to end, before you dive into the actual writing. This guide will walk you through the steps to create an outline for your fiction story, ensuring that you have a clear direction and structure from the beginning.

7 Steps to outline your story

1. One-sentence summary

Begin by writing down a one-sentence summary of your post/book/story. This should encapsulate the main idea or theme of what you want to convey in your work. For example, “A young girl discovers her magical powers and must save her village from an ancient curse.”

2. Main characters

Introduce your primary characters by listing their names, ages, professions, and a brief description of their personalities or motivations. Consider how they will interact with each other throughout the story and what role they play in achieving the main goal.

3. Setting

Describe the world in which your story takes place, including its geography, culture, time period, and any unique aspects that set it apart from others. This information will help you create a vivid setting for your characters to inhabit and guide their actions within the story.

4. Plot points

List the key events or turning points in your story, which should include both major plot twists and smaller moments of character development. These plot points will form the backbone of your narrative, ensuring that it remains engaging and focused throughout its duration.

5. Subplots

Identify any subplots or secondary stories that run parallel to the main storyline. Consider how these narratives contribute to the overall theme and character development in your work.

6. Climax and resolution

Outline the climactic moment of your story, where all the plot points and characters converge for a final confrontation or decision. This should be followed by a resolution that ties up loose ends and provides closure to both the main story and any subplots.

7. Revisit and refine

Review your outline to ensure it is coherent, well-structured, and engaging. Make any necessary adjustments or revisions before proceeding with writing your story. Remember that outlining is a flexible process, so don’t be afraid to make changes as you progress through the drafting stage.

“An outline is a roadmap for your story, but it should not be so detailed that it stifles creativity.” – Randy Ingermanson

The Ten Day Outline, a proven method

One popular outlining method is The Ten Day Outline, which we’ll explore in more detail below. This approach involves breaking down the process of outlining a novel into ten manageable days, each focusing on a specific aspect of storytelling. By following this structure, you’ll be able to take your single idea and turn it into a fully fledged story.

Day 1: The Idea

The first step in any successful outline is identifying your central idea or premise. Take some time to brainstorm and distil your concept down to its most essential elements. Ask yourself:

• What’s the main conflict or problem?
• Who are my main characters, and what are their motivations?
• Where does the story take place?

Days 2-3: Character Development

Now that you have a solid idea of your premise, it’s time to focus on developing your characters. Think about each character’s:

• Backstory
• Personality traits
• Goals and motivations

Write down key details for each character, including their physical appearance, voice, and mannerisms.

Days 4-5: Plotting the Story

With a solid understanding of your premise and characters, it’s time to start plotting out the story. Ask yourself:

• What are the main events that drive the plot forward?
• How do these events relate to each other?
• Where are the turning points or climaxes?

Days 6-7: World-Building

As you continue outlining your story, don’t forget about world-building! This is especially important for fantasy and science fiction writers. Take some time to develop:

• The setting (time period, location, etc.)
• The culture and customs of the characters
• Any magical or technological systems that exist in this world

Days 8-9: Pacing and Conflict

Now it’s time to think about pacing and conflict within your story. Ask yourself:

• How do you want to pace the action throughout the narrative?
• What kind of conflicts will arise, and how will they be resolved?

Day 10: Putting It All Together

The final step in The Ten Day Outline is putting all your ideas together into a cohesive outline. Take some time to review each day’s work and make sure everything flows smoothly from start to finish.

Additional tips for outlining your fiction story

While The Ten Day Outline provides a solid structure, there are a few additional tips you can keep in mind as you’re outlining:

• Don’t be afraid to experiment or try new things. This is the time to take risks and explore different ideas.
• Keep your outline flexible – it’s okay if changes come up during the writing process.
• Make sure to include key plot twists, reveals, and surprises throughout the narrative.

Choose your method of outlining

There are various ways to outline a fiction story, from the simple bullet-point list to more complex methods like the Snowflake Method or the Ten Day Outline. Experiment with different techniques until you find one that suits your writing style and helps you organise your thoughts effectively. Some popular outlining methods include:

• The Three-Act Structure: Divide your story into three acts, each with its own set of goals and conflicts.
• Beat Sheet: A more detailed version of the three-act structure that breaks down key plot points throughout the story.
• Index Card Method: Use index cards to represent individual scenes or chapters, allowing you to rearrange them easily as needed.
• Scene List: Create a list of all your planned scenes, including their purpose and any important details.

A formula for outlining forwards

1. Identify your genre and target audience: Understand the expectations of readers in your chosen genre, as well as their preferences and common themes. This will help you create a compelling story that resonates with your intended audience.
2. Choose an outline method: Depending on your writing style and preferences, select an outlining method such as the Snowflake Method or The Ten Day Outline to organise your ideas effectively.
3. Develop a strong premise: Create a central idea for your story that is both unique and engaging. This will serve as the foundation for all other elements of your plot.
4. Organise content logically: Break down chapters or sections in a way that helps readers understand and retain information easily, using a structure like the Freytag Pyramid or the Three-Act Structure.
5. Include key takeaways: Offer actionable advice or insights for readers to implement in their lives based on the themes of your story. This can help deepen reader engagement and make your work more meaningful.
6. Develop well-rounded characters: Create complex, relatable protagonists and antagonists that drive the plot forward while exploring their motivations, desires, and fears. Fleshing out character backstories and relationships will add depth to your story. For one of my stories I found it very difficult to envisage one specific character and his backstory, so instead I wrote his obituary! Bulldog Drummond, in the stories of the same name written by ‘Sapper’, always tugged his left earlobe when he was thinking deeply! And his antagonist always drummed his fingers on his left knee!
7. Plan for conflict and resolution: Outline key moments of tension, climaxes, and resolutions throughout your narrative. This will help you create a dynamic and engaging plot that keeps readers invested in the outcome.
8. Research necessary details: Gather information on any specific elements or settings required to accurately portray your story’s world. This may include historical context, scientific principles, or cultural nuances.
9. Plan for pacing and structure: Ensure that your outline maintains a consistent pace throughout the narrative while adhering to the chosen story structure. Balance action-packed scenes with moments of reflection and character development.
10. Revise and refine: Continuously review, revise, and adjust your outline as you write and edit your novel. This will help ensure that your final product is cohesive, engaging, and satisfying for readers.

“Outlining isn’t just about organising the story; it’s also about discovering what your story wants to be when you let go and allow it to evolve.” – KM Weiland

Frameworks for outlining your story

A framework for outlining your fiction story involves breaking down the key elements of a narrative and organising them into a logical structure. This helps you plan, develop, and refine your story while ensuring it remains coherent and engaging to readers.

Framework 1: Exposition and Scene Structure

1. Approach exposition systematically.
2. Identify key scenes and plot points.
3. Use scene structure principles (action and reaction) to create engaging scenes.

Framework 2: Fictionary’s Story Arc Visualisation

1. Evaluate 38 essential story elements, including:
   • Plot
   • Characters
   • Pacing
   • Point of view
   • Settings
   • More…
2. Use the Story Arc visualisation to track the progression of your plot.

Framework 3: Simple Outline Framework

1. 1. Determine the essentials of your story using the 5 W’s:
      • Who are the characters? Identify your protagonist(s), antagonist(s), and supporting characters. Describe their roles, motivations, and relationships within the narrative.
      • What happens in the story? Summarise the main plot, including significant events, conflicts, and turning points that drive the narrative forward.
      • When does the story take place? Establish a timeline for your story, considering factors such as historical context or internal chronology.
      • Where does the story occur? Detail the settings and locations where key scenes unfold, ensuring they contribute to the overall atmosphere and tone of the narrative.
      • Why is the story being told? Clarify the purpose behind telling this particular story, exploring themes, messages, or emotional resonance that you want readers to experience.
   2. Choose a book outline framework or template as a starting point.
   3. Make adjustments and start plugging in contents

Additional Tips

• Start with a broad overview of your story, then break it down into smaller sections (Snowflake Method)
• Use character archetypes or backstory techniques to create well-rounded characters.
• Apply storytelling principles such as “show, don’t tell” and using sensory details to bring your story to life.
• Consider using the three-act structure (Setup, Confrontation, Resolution) as a framework for your novel’s ending.
• Utilise a combination of tools and resources to support your outlining process.
• Employ an outline framework or template as a starting point, then adapt it according to your specific needs.
• Use story visualisation software like Fictionary to analyse essential story elements such as plot, characters, pacing, point of view, settings, and more.
• Consider following the three-act structure (Set Up, Rising Action, Resolution) if you plan to use storytelling in your book.

These frameworks can help guide you in outlining your fiction story. Remember to leave room for discovery and flexibility during the writing process.

Common outlining mistakes (and how to avoid them)

As with any creative process, there are common pitfalls that can derail even the best-laid plans. Here are a few outlining mistakes to watch out for:

1. Over-outlining: Don’t get so caught up in planning every single detail that you forget to leave room for creativity and spontaneity. And don’t take so long in outlining that you never start writing your story but instead just concentrate on building the perfect outline! I’ve heard of some people who do this for several years, and never write their story!
2. Under-outlining: On the other hand, don’t be afraid to add more details or flesh out your outline as needed – it’s better to have a solid foundation than a vague plan!
3. Not considering character arcs: Remember that characters should grow and change throughout the story! Make sure you’re planning for this in your outline.
4. Forgetting about themes: What are the underlying messages or ideas that drive your story? Incorporate these into your outline to give it depth and meaning.

Key takeaways

1. Start with a hook: Begin by describing your book in a 15-word sentence, which will serve as your hook to persuade publishers or readers.
2. Use the Snowflake Method: This method involves breaking down your outline into smaller and more detailed sections, starting from a broad overview of your story’s circumstances to its climax.
3. Take inspiration from multiple sources: Don’t copy single sources; instead, draw inspiration from various places to create something unique.
4. Leave room for discovery: Even with meticulous outlining, leave space for the story to unfold and surprise you during the writing process.
5. Don’t be afraid of change: Be open to adjusting your outline as needed, allowing the story to take shape organically.

These key takeaways can help guide your approach to outlining your fiction story, providing a solid foundation for crafting a compelling narrative.

Conclusion

Outlining may not be the most glamorous part of writing a fiction story, but it’s worth the effort! And by breaking the process down into smaller steps and focusing on each element individually, you’ll find it more manageable. Remember also that outlines are living documents that can change as your story evolves, so don’t feel too attached to any one version.

With practice and patience, you’ll create a solid foundation for your story that will help guide you through the writing process and result in a compelling, well-crafted work of fiction. And as with any writing process, practice makes perfect – so don’t be discouraged if it takes time to develop an outlining method that works best for you.