The first step for savvy storytellers.
Writing a novel or memoir without an outline is like driving without GPS: destinations become murky, and chances are the journey will take a lot longer than needed. This outline template will help you clarify:
- Your characters’ developmental arcs. Have you introduced the central figure effectively? Is the external action shaping their internal development, and vice versa?
- If the characters have clear goals, motivations, and conflicts, and in turn, if your protagonist is passive, or active.
- If every character, subplot, and scene in the story is significant, or if some could be cut/combined.
- If the plot is episodic, versus taking us on a journey based upon a clear setup, rising stakes, and satisfying resolution.
- If the greater theme of the work (i.e. love triumphs over revenge) is obvious and impactful.
- If the story is original and engaging, or predictable.
Don’t underestimate the importance of starting your writing journey with a clear roadmap. In a perfect world, stories would flow effortlessly from our inner fountains of creative genius, but I am yet to meet a bestselling novelist who doesn’t follow some kind of framework. The pros know that a little planning upfront saves a huge amount of re-writing and editing down the line, and the reality is, some manuscripts simply aren’t ready for intensive development. Editing can be a serious investment, so it makes sense to ensure the big picture structural issues have been resolved before you invest in detailed feedback on the story.
Once you’ve completed the outline template (feel free to use the one below, or devise your own) you should have a clearer path forward. If you sense there are story gaps, redundant scenes, and/or weak points in your character development, you might consider investing in a professional outline assessment. Of all the developmental editing services I offer, this offers the best return for a comparatively low investment.
Professional Outline Assessment:
If you are creating a document to submit for professional outline assessment, please keep the following in mind:
- For most ‘average-sized’ novels, a 5k to 10k word outline is adequate.
- Short outlines (under 5k words) suggest you need to include more detail so that your editor has adequate context to effectively analyze the story.
- Long outlines (over 10k words) could be a sign you’re including unnecessary detail like dialogue, or excess description. Keeping the word count low will reduce the cost of your assessment.
- It’s tempting to add explanatory notes to the outline, i.e. by inserting comments like: This bit of information becomes relevant later, in chapter 16. Instead, focus on clearly relating each plot point, and allowing the assessor to experience the story in the same way a reader will.
- Feel free to submit direct questions with the outline, i.e., Does this character pull their weight, or could they be cut? This is a great opportunity to address any existing concerns.
Regardless of whether you need objective feedback or feel ready to fly solo, don’t deny yourself the fantastic free tool below. A story outline template will help make your good book a great one.
For a specific breakdown of the outline assessment process, click here.