Writing Outlining: How Do?

[phloebotomy]

What it says on the tin. I know the principle for essays and longer works of nonfiction, but I'm kind of struggling how to make it work from a fiction standpoint. Pantsing kind of comes more naturally to me, and I'll have ideas I like in the middle of a draft.

What do y'all think are the most basic things to keep in mind when outlining a chapter or novel?

 

[LiteraryWho]

Just briefly summarize the things you want to happen in a chapter? I don't think you have to do anything complicated unless you're trying to write a mystery novel and want to make sure all your details line up.

 

[Bayleyrockstar]

What do y'all are the most basic things to keep in mind when outlining a chapter or novel?

Depends. For fiction, you usually want to keep your outline loose. In fact, your outline might look more like a glossary than an actual outline. There's generally only 3 items a fiction outline needs.

- Who are the primary Characters? The characters who will play the biggest part in your novel.

- What is the goal of the novel? This isn't what you intend to say to the audience through your work, but instead about what you want to accomplish by telling this story? Does the protagonist die for his loved ones? Does he seek to change the unfair world he lives in? Is it merely to see how miserable you can make someone without killing them?

- And finally, the end state. As long as you know where your plot starts and ends, the middle will come with time. This doesn't have to be specific, it can literally be "Main protagonist comes to town," "Town explodes."

All these can also apply to a single chapter. I generally don't write these down, but do keep them in mind as I write.