Outlining a Story

I was going to post this a couple of weeks ago, but then I noticed that in my college course, we had to outline a novel (which I did last week). It has been quite a bit since I fully outlined a novel. I wanted to make sure that the method I used as a teen still works for me – and it does!

I realize that planning is not for everyone. I even used to consider myself a pantser. But planning has helped me keep my ideas organized and helped me see how long my novel is (as a pantser, I would either get stuck somewhere in the middle or conclude the story prematurely). Though I am a scatterbrained planner who jumps from thinking about characters to thinking about themes without concluding much, an outlining process has really helped. Whether you have discovered your outlining process, haven’t yet, or are a pantser, I encourage you to read on just in case you find something that may help!

There are many ways to plot out a story, which Writer’s.com details (https://writers.com/how-to-write-a-story-outline). I had to follow this article for my outlining assignment last week. The first option, which is the Plot Based Approach, is closest to what I do. My outlining process actually is a mixture of my own outlining techniques and some techniques that James Scott Bell talks about in his book Plot and Structure (I HIGHLY recommend this book – it made me decide to become a writer!). I’m not saying you have to follow my process – these are just things that have really helped me outline my novels!

A Note from My Professor

            As I mentioned earlier, I am a scatterbrained planner. To be honest, whenever I say I have an idea for a novel, what I really mean is I have a character or two I want to write about, or there is series of scenes that have bothered me for a week. I never start out with a theme, a genre, or a message.

            Last week when we had to outline a novel in my college course, we had to write a discussion post that summarized our idea. I basically just dumped the ideas I had so far into that post. I received some great feedback and ideas from classmates, but my professor pointed out something that may shape my book planning forever. She told me to first figure out the primary content genre (action/adventure, coming of age, etc.) then decide on the theme (identity and belonging, power and oppression, etc.). From there, plotting out the story should be easier since I have a bit of direction.

            This advice proved to be very helpful when I was brainstorming and outlining. It helped me decide what sort of elements I need to include in my scenes and chapters. After I figured out those steps, the outlining process was much easier!

The Plotline Timeline

            I don’t know how I started this process, but at 15 years old, I noticed there was a pattern in good books and movies. From the main character’s point of view, there are nine major events that happen in a story. I have tested this theory on many movies and books, and it has so far been proven true. I don’t know if this is an actual thing, but it has helped me a lot!

To explain it better, I will use my original example of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. The main character is Luke Skywalker, so this plotline timeline (as I call it) is all from his perspective.

Point 1: The droids (purchase, Leia’s message, R2 running away).

Point 2: Ben Kenobi (Luke learns his father was a Jedi).

Point 3: Mos Eisley / Cantina (meet Han Solo and Chewbacca).

            Point 4: Millenium Falcon (Luke begins his training).

            Point 5: Entering the Death Star (they find Leia).

            Point 6: Escaping the Death Star (Ben Kenobi disappears).

            Point 7: The Rebellion (plan to destroy Death Star).

            Point 8: Battle to Destroy the Death Star

            Point 9: Conclusion (the Throne Room).

When plotting my own novels, I plan out nine major events that happen. Within each of those events I try to have three sub-events (like character development, a discovery, etc.) happen. If broad enough, each of those sub-events can be its own chapter. By following this timeline, I can keep track of events that happen while also just planning out the general plot points of the story. In other words, it is a visual plotline of the story.

            This certainly helped me plan my novel at 16 years old. I used it again last week and found it just as helpful, especially when my thoughts refused to organize. That way, if I know what I want at the beginning of the book but don’t have any ideas until somewhere in the middle, I can put that on the plotline timeline and know I have two events to think about between what I have planned so far.

Chapters

            This is the part of the process I took from James Scott Bell’s Plot and Structure. When it comes to planning out chapters, Bell suggests doing it two steps. The first step is to write a sentence-long summary of each chapter. Once you have done that, write a longer summary for each chapter.

            In the example Bell uses, he keeps his longer summaries about a paragraph long. What I do is dump every idea I have for a chapter into the summary. I include events, character thoughts, lines, dialogue ideas, or anything else I can think of. That way, I don’t forget what I want to include in that chapter (especially if I think of a really clever line I’ll probably forget in five minutes).

            In other words, my chapter summaries are just info dumps. But they help me see the story in a broader form. After I finish the chapter summaries, I already have a feel for the story and can determine whether something fits or not.

Just a note

            When it comes to outlines, there are no rules saying you have to strictly follow what you have outlined. In fact, one of my favorite things to do is “go off-script.” I’m not changing the entire novel, but perhaps a scene needs to go a different way because the flow demands it. There’s nothing wrong with changing a scene from what you have in your outline. As long as your story flows and other important elements are still there, you’re allowed to go as off-script as you want!

            I hope this helps you outline your own stories. As I mentioned above, I highly recommend reading James Scott Bell’s book Plot and Structure, which helps you brainstorm, plot, and outline your book.

            Best of luck planning!

Bibliography

Glatch, S. (2024). How to write a story outline. Writers.com. https://writers.com/how-to-write-a-story-outline

Bell, J. S. (2004). Plot & structure: Techniques and exercises for crafting a plot that grips readers from start to finish. Writer’s Digest Books.

Lucas, G. (Director) & Kurtz, G. (Producer). (1977). Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. [Motion Picture]. LucasFilm.