Outline Development
Like all great design, true genius starts with your blueprint.
Service
Outline Development
Cost
From $650
Details
Comments inserted throughout your outline, plus extensive audio notes.
No one writes a perfect first draft, but you can get a whole lot closer with the help of a solid outline. By strategizing clear character arcs and plot points driven by motivations, actions, consequences, and outcomes, we can maximize your story before you invest countless hours fleshing out scenes. Alternatively, if your manuscript is suffering from structural issues, outline development is a great way to get vital guidance for a fraction of the cost of a full manuscript edit.
Outline Development FAQs
Please send me the following:
- A scene or chapter breakdown, or synopsis of the story. Depending on the length and complexity of the book, it’s best to aim for 5k to 10k words.
Optional:
- Character profiles
- Plot timeline
- Sample chapter
- Description of genre and target readership
- For series novels, a description of the books before/after this installment.
Once you’ve submitted your document(s), I will advise if I require more (or sometimes less) information and offer a quote and timeline for the edit.
You can also check out my free outline template and detailed description of the process.
A 60+ minute voice recording can cover the same scope and depth of feedback as a 60+ page report, and after many years of providing this service I’ve discovered that voice recordings (paired with written notes) are the best way to guide a writer through insights while avoiding a sense of overwhelm.
Yes, in addition to spoken feedback I will insert comments throughout your outline, to provide scene-specific feedback.
Outline development isn’t as time-consuming as a full manuscript edit, so I can usually complete the process within two weeks of receiving the documents.
My primary aim is to ensure that the process leaves you feeling excited and motivated, versus overwhelmed. After the edit has been completed, I’m available to answer questions as you work through the feedback. If you’d like me to re-assess your updated story, I categorize that as a new job and will propose a suitable fee for the work.
“I’ve found it so valuable that you highlighted the structural flaws now, rather than after I’d written and polished an entire manuscript! And I really like your voice messages. They allow you to provide so much more detail than you could in writing.”
Justine Ward, Debut Author
Feel free to either complete one of the contact forms on this site, or you can email me direct at cate (at) catehogan (dot) com.
Magic awaits...
“My book is being published… and I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Rosie Pizza, Debut Author
I'd like to discuss my project
Now is the time to discover the full potential of your writing.
Feel free to send your current draft or outline to cate (at) catehogan (dot) com, or simply start the conversation by submitting your contact details.
