5 Really Good Reasons To Outline Your Novel Before You Write A Word

Are you wondering if you should outline your novel? In this post, we give you five really good reasons to outline your novel before you write a word.

Outlining isn’t a necessity, but there are so many advantages to it that even die-hard ‘pantsters‘ should think twice about rejecting it. I have taught many people to write and most of those authors who finish writing their books have used an outline or plot of some sort. (Most of the authors I’ve interviewed also use outlines.)

On our creative writing course, we teach you that outlining or plotting does not mean that you have to put in every detail. (Note: There are some outliners like Jeffery Deaver and Jeffrey Archer who do include everything.) It means that you have a map to help you navigate and finish a first draft.

Types Of Outlines

Outlines can be:

1. 50-page detailed plans.
2. A reworking of The Hero’s Journey.
3. A simple series of index cards with a list of characters, major scenes, and sequels.
4. Structured timelines.
5. A series of character questionnaires showing development, motivations, flaws and strengths.
6. Story maps.
7. One-page chapter-by-chapter outlines.
8. One-page synopses.
9. 60-80 scenes and sequels using templates.

Some authors have plotted their stories for decades in their heads, making notes in journals. As George RR Martin, creator of A Song of Ice and Fire says:

‘All the major things have been planned since the beginning, since the early ’90s, the major deaths and the general direction of  things. Obviously, the details and the minor things have been things that I’ve discovered along the way, part of the fun of writing the books is making these discoveries along the journey. But the general structure of the books has been in my head all along.’

What are the advantages to outlining your novel before you start writing?

Five Really Good Reasons To Outline Your Novel

1. There is very little chance of writer’s block. Getting stuck in a rut or losing the plot are the most common reasons people join our course. They have tried the ‘pantser’ method and failed. None of these writers have outlined or worried about whether they have a plot that is strong enough to see them through. Once they join Writers Write, and work out that they need a plan, they are much happier and mostly more successful. If you get stuck, you simply look at the outline and move on.
2. You reduce the number of rewrites and edits. Outlining is similar, in many ways, to a first draft. If you spend time planning the book, you will have already written at least one rough draft before you start on the manuscript. You will also be able to write more quickly because you have a plan. The freedom of having an outline allows you to be more creative when you’re writing scenes. You can use your writing skills to craft the story instead of frantically trying to think about what happens next.
3. You spot problem areas before you begin. It is easy to write yourself and your characters into impossible situations. It might be fun, but you may have to scrap an entire book and begin again if you can’t write yourself out of it.
4. It improves creativity. By thinking everything through and planning your story you’re stimulating the creative process. Even if you write the first draft without referring to your outline, you will have a head start with your story. You will also be able to thread ideas through the story and to foreshadow more effectively. You can’t foreshadow if you don’t know what is going to happen next.
5. You develop compelling characters with clear story goals. This allows you to imagine how your character will develop over the course of the story. Because you know what happens, their arc will never be out of step with the rest of the manuscript.

What do you have to lose by outlining? Try these good reasons to outline your novel and let us know if it helps.

TOP TIP: If you want to learn how to write a book, sign up for our online course.

Source for image for outlining methods

by Amanda Patterson
Text © Amanda Patterson

1. The Author’s Promise – two things every writer should do
2. 7 Extremely Good Reasons to Write the Ending First
3. What is the difference between a commercial and a literary plot?
4. Basic Plot Structure – The 5 Plotting Moments That Matter

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