How to Create an Outline for an eBook

Writing an outline should be the first step in writing any book. E-books are no exception. Having an outline will keep your writing on track and prevent you from forgetting to add important information.

Things You'll Need

• Pen
• Paper
• Microsoft Word or other desktop publishing program

Instructions

1. Write down all the main ideas you wish to cover in your ebook. Now is not the time to edit. Just write everything down that comes to mind.

2. Now circle all the main keypoints. These are your possible chapter subjects. Now re-write them in numbered order (leaving about 5 blank spaces) if using lined paper between them.

3. Now go back to list #1 and cross out the ones you already took from it.

4. Looking at both lists, move some of your other ideas underneath the 'chapter' you feel they should be in. Label these with A, B, C, etc and indent them about 1/2 inch from the left margin where you placed your chapter titles.

5. Again, cross out the ideas you used.

6. Reading over the 2nd list, write down any ideas of things you know you want to include under your sub-chapter categories. No need to be perfect, just get the ideas down so you will understand them later. Number these so they stand out from the above lettered lists.

7. Research any information you may need and make note of the source so you can give proper credit within your ebook.

8. Type up your new outline into a Word document. You can easily, and neatly, go in and add, edit or re-arrange this information at will this way. Be sure to save your document, and date it. This will help to protect your copyright later on, if needed. With important works, I'd also recommend keeping your original hand written draft, dated.

Resources

• How to Write an eBook in Word