Outline for Writing a Novel

When writing a novel, there are a few basic rules to keep in mind. Many would-be writers avidly begin their work only to become bogged down because they have not thought the novel out to its conclusion. Here are some steps that to get that story out of your head and into a novel.

Instructions

1. Formulate the story in your mind, and don’t rush it. Rome wasn’t built in a day, so too with a novel. Make sure you have a scratch pad and jot down any thoughts you have. Many great thoughts are lost by relying on memory.

2. Sort out your ending. Figure out where you want the story to go even before you begin. This is a tried and tested method of writing good novels. Many writers say that you must write a story backward. Once you have a strong ending, it is relatively easy to set up the events to suit the ending rather than vice versa.

3. Map out chapter summaries, detailing in each chapter heading what will be covered in that chapter. Make your chapter summaries follow the generic story continuum with the structure of introduction, body, and conclusion.

4. Break up each of these steps into as many chapters as you need to cover them adequately. You might devote one chapter to introducing each main character.

5. Grab your reader with your beginning. Ensure that you have captured the audience's attention by beginning with an exciting sequence of events such as a rescue, a bank robbery, or a car chase involving a protagonist or antagonist.

6. Tweak your ending or beginning if you need to. This likely won’t present any big problems because you have a clear outline of where your story is (or was) headed.

Tips & Warnings

• Always carry a notebook to jot down your ideas; these will come anywhere, at anytime.

• Get into a routine with your writing. Set a time and stick at it until you have spent that time writing.

• Find a place to do your writing. Some writers prefer solitude and quiet; other writers prefer noisy crowded cafes and restaurants.

Resources

• How to write a novel in 100 days or less
• How to Outline a Novel
• Novel Writing Software