Outlining Your Novel is Like Catching a Sunrise

Sunrise over the Lake

I wanted to go Shakespearean "To Outline or Not to Outline" but I think the sunrise analogy is more spot on. Here me out!

The sunrise is, in theory, the beginning of your day. The time before you have a massive to-do list, the time when you can maybe just sit, think, relax.

And, in exactly that way, the outline is the beginning of your novel. It's right after you've had an idea or the spark of an idea, and when all you wanna do is jump into that idea and start WRITING.

Ignore that desire. There will be plenty of time for writing after.

The outline must come first.

I've learned this lesson the hard way several times over by not creating any outline at all, or not creating outlines with enough detail.

So, take it from me OUTLINE like your story depends on it. Because it kinda does.

Now, on to how to actually outline when all you really wanna do is dive right into writing and figuring out problems along the way:

1. Set up who your main character(s) are, ask yourself what they want, and what is stopping them from getting it? Without these questions answered, the process will be way more difficult.

2. Make a list of characters who will interact with your main character(s) along the way. Write out physical descriptions, mannerisms and details for each of them so you have a reference when you can't remember what color Fig's hair is.

3. Make a list of places your characters go similar to characters, describing each setting in detail.

4. Figure out the moment when your main character(s) has their world thrown off balance. I.E. they are cursed at their sister's wedding, and trapped for twenty years until someone breaks the curse. Then they must decide to try to re-build their lives or seek vegenance on who cursed them!

5. Once all of this is done, congrats! You can move on to chapter by chapter outlining. If you use Scrivener, the easiest way to do this is create folders for each of your chapters, and texts inside each chapter writing out what happens, keeping in mind your goals of what your character wants, what they are doing to get it.

6. This may sound simple, but the more detail you can provide the better the writing will be. The fewer plot holes you'll end up with.

7. Drink tea and eat chocolate. It will help.