How to Outline Your Novel by K. M. Weiland - Usa

https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com

Writers often look upon outlines with fear and trembling. Won’t outlines limit your creativity and rob the joy of discovery from your first draft? Why spend all that time preparing for a story when you could be writing it? The question of “how to outline your novel” sometimes seems like poking a sleeping bear with a pointy stick.

The truth, however, is that a correctly wielded outline can be one of the most powerful weapons in your writing arsenal. Outlines ensure cohesion and balance in the finished story. They prevent wasted time pursuing dead-end ideas, allow you to craft resonant foreshadowing, and, most importantly, provide you a foundation of confidence and motivation.

In the How to Outline Your Novel series (which is a supplement for my internationally-published book Outlining Your Novel, its companion the Outlining Your Novel Workbook, and the Outlining Your Novel Workbook software), you will learn:

How to choose the right type of outline for youHow to brainstorm plot ideasHow to discover your charactersHow to organize your scenesHow to format your finished outlineHow to put your outline to use

The first step to creating amazing stories is embracing a broader view of how outlines can help you brainstorm better ideas, write better plot structures, and create flawless first drafts. Even better, outlines are incredibly fun and rewarding!

PART 1: SHOULD YOU OUTLINE YOUR NOVEL?

Should you outline your novel before the first draft? And, if you do, how much is the right amount for you? Get ready to write your best novel with this new series!

PART 2: START YOUR OUTLINE WITH THESE 4 QUESTIONS

Where do you start your outline? Right here! Use these these four questions to discover the big-picture “skeleton” of your story’s plot.

PART 3: 3 STEPS TO FIND THE HEART OF YOUR STORY

Can you outline your story’s theme? If you start by asking yourself these three questions, you will be able to find the heart of your story every time.

PART 4: HOW TO FIND AND FILL ALL YOUR PLOT HOLES

When you approach plot holes purposefully during your outline, filling them in can be one of the most enjoyable parts of the entire writing process.

PART 5: HOW TO WRITE BACKSTORY THAT MATTERS

Backstory influences plot events, character motives, and thematic subtext. Here are the only 4 questions you need to find your best backstory.

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To be continued : The secrets of story structure (complete series)