Novel Outline

As you write your novel and the days go by, you need to know were you're at.

If you don't get organised at a very early stage you will spend half your time looking through where you finished last time. Then you have to think over the whole plot and so on. It's certainly not easy, it’s foolish and very very unproductive.

You need to invest your time not spend it.

So what do you need? Yes, an outline. In fact more than one, because in my mind it's best if you make outlines for each chapter and then a general one for the whole book.

I have to repeat what I said in a previous article in case you haven’t read it.

Close Your Computer Down Now! Yes. Close It.

Go and get one of those 2 ring punch folders and 500 letter size white pages about 12 inches by 8 inches. Punch them with 2 holes and put the paper inside the folder on the 2 rings. Also it would be a good idea if you can get a pack or two of those index type tabs for using as easy reference when finding parts you need. Use these to mark your chapters too. You need the blank ones not the alphabetical ones.

Don’t write on both sides of the paper. Write on 1 side only. Don't say I can save paper. Listen to what I say please.

Write down the heading for each chapter in the front of your folder. This is for reference. Get the chapters sorted out and write on the first sheet of every chapter its heading. As an example you would have your first section named Titles.

Put down as much as you can in the separate sections. Keep filling it. Write it all down. If you want to transfer to a computer later, then OK. At the moment use the file. It's easier. You can take it around with you and it's so much easier when referring to other parts.

So you have, say 12 chapters with headings. Write down under each chapter heading as much as you can - how you see it progressing, sub-plots, ideas, any research and where from. Characters in that chapter and as much information as you can.

From this you can make a complete outline of your book. The main purpose of this is to guide you and get you totally organised.

It serves a dual purpose as well because if you were asked by an editor for an outline you could give it to him in no time at all.

After you have finished your outline, it doesn't stop there. You keep adding to each chapter.

When you start writing after a break you can go direct to a chapter and pick up were you left off and away you go.

I repeat: There's nothing worse than fumbling around trying to find bits and pieces you need to get on with your work.

Believe me. Been there, done it and got the T-shirt. I know what's best.

You will find other articles by Barry on this site. You can also go to his website for more.

http://www.novelmaster.com