Do You Need a Plot Outline?

Steps to Creating a Well-Constructed Plot Outline

Mar 29, 2007 Vickie Britton

The most difficult part of writing a book is planning ahead of time where it will lead. That is why a good plot outline is so essential.

Some authors swear by a plot outline while others prefer to "wing it." The most difficult part of writing a book is plotting the storyline. No wonder authors balk at doing all the hard work first. Writers are often so anxious to get to the actual writing they are likely to skimp on the pre-work. But not having a good plot outline is rather like building the ceiling of a house without first laying down a proper foundation. The entire structure is in danger of collapsing.

An outline is more important for certain kinds of books than others. Literary novels usually have a looser plot structure and may not require a detailed outline . For more structured works such as mysteries and most commercial fiction, a tight plot outline is essential. However, any kind of novel will benefit by a little pre-planning.

How to Create a Workable Outline

A plot outline does not need to be long. Four to six pages is plenty to begin with. All that is needed is a few sheets of blank paper. A linear chart is the simplest to make. Because it is important to be able to see all the chapters at once, it is better not to write on the backs of pages.

Do the Math First

Decide on the length of the book, roughly how many chapters it will have, and approximately how many pages you will have per chapter. Make a heading for each chapter allowing a few lines for notes. An average-sized, 65,000 word novel will have about 260 pages. This can easily be divided into eighteen chapters of fourteen pages.

It helps to actually look at books similar to the one you are writing to get an idea of overall length and chapter length. Allow a little "growing room." Most books have a tendency to expand rather than shrink in the actual writing. Some chapters will turn out to be longer and others shorter, but it is always good to have a target chapter length in mind. An ideal chapter will usually not go over seventeen pages.

Divide the Book into a Three-Act Play

Next, divide the book into roughly three portions as if it were a three-act play. You may want to allow more chapters for the middle than the beginning and end.

Plan Each Chapter

Next, plan each chapter by jotting down what characters and events will happen in each chapter. Introduce a subplot if there is one and indicate in which chapter it will start and be resolved. If the book is a mystery, this is the time to plant clues and “red herrings.” It also helps to end each chapter with a question to forward the action.

By preparing a rough outline, you can make sure that each key event or clue is planted and that every event leads toward the ending. If you do not have a good idea of where events will happen in your novel, or where clues will be planted, you run the risk of having to go back and plant them once the book is written. This can make the work of writing the book twice as long.

Keeping the Muse Happy

What if you can’t write the outline because you really don’t know where the book is leading? Many writers feel that a tight plot outline hampers creativity or they just work better writing freely. An outline can still be of use. If the plot doesn’t come to you right away then don’t put off writing the book until you have an outline. Write a chapter or two until you begin to get a sense of direction. As soon as you have that sense of direction, create as much of the outline as possible.

Some writers don’t like to use an outline because they rebel at the thought of knowing the ending of the story. Remember that a plot outline does not need to be set in stone. You can always change it. Even if you change the story at the last minute, the plot outline still helps because it is much easier to get a clear picture of the entire novel if you have a solid structure to refer to. It is just as creative to build within a framework as outside of it, and far more productive. If you do not have a clear outline, good writing can often be wasted as passages and entire chapters may have to be discarded if they do not further the plot.

When you have a careful plan, everything you write contributes to the outcome of the novel. An outline ensures that every bit of writing you do is taking you closer to the conclusion. Remember, whatever pre-work you do on your novel is like money in the bank. It will save you steps in the long run. Any time working on the plot outline is time well spent.

The copyright of the article Do You Need a Plot Outline? in Writing Fiction is owned by Vickie Britton. Permission to republish Do You Need a Plot Outline? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.