My Outlining Method + Thoughts

I have used outlines for every book I've written except one, and that was merely because I wanted to see what would happen if I didn't. I HIGHLY recommend outlining before writing. Here are my thoughts: 

My method of outlining has served me well for all fourteen books I've completed, but is not a standard for every writer. Therefore, please take this example with a grain of salt. If it helps someone on their writing journey, I'm happy. 

When I started writing, my goal was to make 50k words, for NaNoWriMo, so my outline began with word count in mind as a priority and not plot. However, the method I developed is flexible for both factors. I'll speak more on word count later in this post. 

My first outline gave me 25 chapters, and I planned to write 2k words per chapter. The outline looked like this: 

Chapter # - (date it occurs - helps to keep track of days of the week and potential settings; for example, you don't want to accidentally have a church scene two chapters apart because you lost track of days of the week and accidentally put two Sundays a couple days apart)  
  • brief phrases (not full sentences - this helps your outline stay short and easy to review and follow while also allowing you enough 'wiggle-room' for added detail and adjustments if you start writing and want to add a scene to the chapter) describing what happens, description no more than 100 words (again, keeps outline short, concise, and easy to understand - I hate when I write a lengthy outline only to have to review it later and get a headache because it's too long to follow)
This structure continued for all 25 chapters. This outline, the first outline for the first book I ever wrote, was less than 900 words. 

However, since that first book, my outlines naturally became more complex. I became a more detailed writer and my books grew in length and plot complexity, so I needed longer outlines to keep track of everything. I've accepted this, and I've decided that it is better to write down and paraphrase every plot point and complexity so that you don't make mistakes or contradict yourself. Additionally, it helps if you need to go back to check something earlier in the book and find it if you're not sure where it was. 

One thing that I do that is not incredibly common in my genre (as opposed to, say, historical fiction or books in which the timeline is critical) is my method of adding dates (see above example). I explained why I do this, but I want to emphasize its importance especially in regard to writing a series of books. 

I'm on the sixth (and final) book in a series right now and the timeline is crucial. It's easy for a writer to become confused about when certain events occurred in relation to others. For example, I was writing the fifteenth or so chapter the other day and, in my mind, assumed that the beginning of the book had occurred at least a few weeks before the chapter I was writing, since (I was tired lol and...) the book was already long (my books now become about 100k words each, though the one I'm on is likely to be around 375k). However, when I checked my outline, I realized that only a couple days had passed! I'm not going to lie - that was pretty embarrassing. 

Now, I want to address one controversial aspect of writing briefly referenced above: writing guided by word count versus plot. For a word count challenge like NaNoWriMo, the answer is obvious. However, for other cases, not so. 

I hear a lot of writers immediately jump to defend the "plot" argument, saying that a book should only be as long as it needs to be, with excess length being unwise as it drags out the plot. I agree, yet I also argue this because, if guided by that notion, a writer can become lazy and lenient. I consider it better to edit out parts of the book that seem in excess rather than look back and wish I'd written more.

When I write, I try to make a certain word count for each chapter. Currently, I try to make each chapter around 4k words. I find that when I push myself and try to hold to this goal, I write the most intriguing scenes with such detail that I never would have thought of if I'd given up early. 

However, if I reach a point at which I feel the chapter would be best ended, I don't fight myself to continue it. 

My advice as far as word count goes is to have a word count goal, but to carefully mind the natural flow of the writing. Do not try to write a scene merely to make word count, if it feels forced and fake. On the flip side, don't give up early simply because you're tired and can't think of the words, especially if the chapter doesn't seem to have reached its natural end. Take a break, go for a walk, do some cardio, get a bite to eat, and revisit it later. You'll be glad you did ;) 

My last note on outlining is for writing a series. My advice: do NOT try to outline the entire series before you begin the first book. You'll get burnt out, bored, and give up. I promise. However, I recommend writing a tiny outline for the overall series so that you remember the timeline, plot points, etc., like so: 

Book #
    • (date - date)
    • whose POV? (point of view, perspective, main character)
    • paragraph or two describing what happens in the book 

Outlining can be stressful. I get it. I know writers who "just want to start writing! why do I need an outline?" and I know writers whose lives revolve around outlines. If you're a minimalist and hate outlines, try to make even the simplest outline, if only to keep yourself on track and stick to the main plot. If you're an avid outliner, then you probably don't need this post at all (good for you! thanks for reading anyway <3), but I'd recommend reflecting on your outlines to ensure they're as productive and streamlined as possible. 

Remember: an outline exists to help you write. It's not the product itself. Don't try to make a cute aesthetic outline that is only good for show. Add those notes, mark it up, make it messy (just not too messy that you can't understand it!), and USE IT. 

Lastly, I'm going to add here at the end an outline structure that you can copy/paste and use, if it helps you begin. I made it 25 chapters long, but some books are shorter and some are longer (the book I'm on now is 106 chapters long!) so feel free to adjust. It's very simple, but I can save you the extra five minutes ;) 

Chapter 1 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 2 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 3 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 4 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 5 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 6 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 7 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 8 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 9 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 10 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 11 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 12 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 13 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 14 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 15 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 16 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 17 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 18 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 19 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 20 - (date)
  • description 
 Chapter 21 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 22 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 23 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 24 - (date)
  • description 
Chapter 25 - (date)
  • description 

Good luck on the writing journey! Just remember why you're writing <3 

1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God

Comments

  1. Mark R HunterSeptember 5, 2023 at 10:49 PM

    I do know writers who swear by the discovery method, and don't even write the most basic of outlines.

    But I have NO idea how they do it.

    ReplyDelete

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