How to Write a Plot Outline

Turning your story idea into a best selling novel is about preparation. Writing a plot outline is part of that process and can be just as much fun as writing the novel or book. A plot outline is the skeleton of your story.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Turn Your Story Idea Into Facts

1. Create setting of your story. Write down details of where the story takes place and any setting changes that take place in each chapter. You may not use the information in the story, but it'll help move the outline along.

2. Know the era, year and date of your story.

3. Invent people. Include your main and secondary characters throughout each chapter.

4. Envision the environment. If you visualize where the situations or events of your story happen, you can better set the mood and tone when you write your story.

Write Your Plot Outline

5. Take action and plot out what your characters do and what happens to them. This part of the outline moves your story towards its conclusion. Remember to include important scenes and characters involved.

6. Involve your genre in your outline, if you're writing in a genre. Genres like mystery and romance have their own conventions and ways of moving the story forward.

7. Write a chapter-by-chapter outline. This guides you to the conclusion of your story. Make sure the chapter reaches resolution and connects to the total story.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Earn your degree from industry experts at University of Phoenix. Take the next step in your career.

[eheverett]

on 4/6/2009 Awesome! Thanks for sharing.