How to Write an Outline for a Young Adult Novel

Writing a novel is a daunting, yet rewarding task. It takes time and discipline from start to finish. Often times the hardest part of writing a novel is getting started. That's where a detailed outline comes in. With a detailed outline in hand, the writing process comes much more naturally and can actually increase your chances of finishing the novel ahead of schedule. Here is how you can write an outline for a young adult novel.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Microsoft Word

Instructions

1. Get a general idea of your theme. You can't begin an outline without at least a small idea of what direction you want to take. Doing some research and finding out what young adults are in to reading these days will give you some good ideas and places to start.

2. Get a computer and make sure it has word processing program. Word processing programs are the best programs for writing outlines. Let's face it, no one writes novels by hand anymore and you are going to be required to have the novel printed out on a computer before a publisher would even consider reading it.

3. Come up with a working title. It is called a working title because it almost never ends up being the title used. You may change it yourself later or you publisher may suggest a new one. You still need a working title to get started and it will put you in the mood to move further down the outline. Be sure to use a bigger font for your title and underline it. Making the title a different color is optional.

4. Do some research. Now that you have an idea and a title to flow from stop and do a little research. You can do most of your research online. Make notes about characters, time periods, locations, etc. that fit in to your theme. This will help you assemble your thoughts in to an outline.

5. Decide on an outline method. Do you want to create your outline based on Roman Numerals? If so you are going to go in order A. with 'I, II, III' under A, then B with 'I, II, III' under B and so on. Each A will basically describe what happens first, and 'I, II, III' are supportive factors of A. B would be your next main point. You could also choose to do your outline in Chapter form. You can write 'Chapter One' and put some bullets underneath as to what should be included in Chapter One. Chapter One could be: Introduce the characters and describe the setting and plot. Create a bullet for each character, a bullet for the intended plot and a bullet for the setting. Use whichever method sounds easier to you.

6. Go through your outline when you are done. Ask yourself if there are any more details you can think of that may go under some of your points. The more information you include now, the less time you have to spend staring at the computer screen wondering what should happen next. This step is a second draft of your outline.

7. Print your outline out and have it next to you as you write your novel. Refer back to it so you don't miss out on any of the points you wanted to include.

Tips & Warnings

• Check to see if your word processor has an outline template you can use. Then you just have to fill in your information.

• Sometimes it's best to wait a day after you create the first outline to review it. You will be coming back with fresh eyes and you may think of some more changes you want to make.

• Don't do any more than the normal second draft. You'll never get your novel going if you spend too much time on the outline. The outline is important, but it should only be a tool to creating the novel, not the novel itself.