Introduction: How to Outline a New Novel in Two Hours
I've met countless people over the years that have said they've always wanted to write a work of fiction but just didn't know how to start, or how to get their thoughts organized. Some wanted to write a short story, some a full-length novel. The following plotting strategy will work for both.
Step 1:
JUST FOLLOW THIS SIMPLE STRATEGY: Write something. It doesn’t need to be complicated. Just write a short beginning.
Example:
Melanie Stanton stepped carefully on the spray-dampened rocks that made up the path leading down to Captive Cove. If she slipped and injured herself, no one would find her, since no one knew she’d returned to her grandmother’s seaside cottage.
The Sun’s first tentative rays fanned out over the water’s horizon, purple and mauve in the dawn sky. She paused for a moment to quell the small tremors threatening her determination.
Was she a fool to follow her grandmother’s example? Would she also vanish, never to be seen again? Her grandmother’s last diary entry, written six months before Melanie's own birth, sparked and a nay saying attitude in the rest of the family, but not in Melanie.
“Beware the Portal Stone oh daughters of the house of Stanton. Never approach at dawn on the first morning of the Spring Equinox. To do so will unlock the heavens and the Prince of Dawn will claim what is his, a claiming that cannot be broken.
I go now, for there is no other choice. In truth I welcome, no, I yearn for it. For with the claiming comes an enchantment that no resistance can lessen. The yearning pains me night and day. I must go to him. He commands me. I feel it in every corner of my mind. He has chosen. I must refuse, but fear I cannot…”
Step 2: Ask Questions
Now, devise 6-10 pertinent questions derived from your beginning paragraphs.
Example:
1. How old is Melanie?
2. What is her background?
3. Does she have any personal problems that will be important in this story?
4. Is she involved in a serious romantic relationship at this time? If so, with whom?
5. Where is Captive Cove located
6. How had she gotten her grandmother’s diary?
7. What was her family’s explanation for her grandmother’s disappearance.
8. Why was the Stone named the ‘Portal Stone’?
9. How does Melanie feel about her grandmother’s last diary entry?
10. Who is the Prince of Dawn? Is he hero or villain?
Step 3: Provide Answerw
Now, give 3 possible answers for each question you came up with in step 2.
Example: For the sake of simplicity, I’m only going to work with 3 example from this point on.
Question - How old is Melanie?
Answers - 24 years old – 31 years old – 39 years old
Question - What is her background?
Answers - She’s a lawyer, very confident, normal family, parents both living, one brother.
~She’s a widow with 2 children, estranged from her family, owns a flower shop
~She’s a self defense educator and advocate for women’s rights. Chaotic family with 3 brothers
Question - Is she involved in a serious romantic relationship at this time? If so, with whom?
Answers - She has a fiance of 4 years whom she can’t bring herself to commit to. His name is Eric. He owns his own construction company, works hard and is steady and reliable. If he has a flaw, it seems to be his ambition and materialistic attitude toward life.
~She has never had a romantic connection because she doesn’t believe love last forever and doesn’t see the need to start something that will only complicate her life.
~She lost the only man she’s ever loved in a tragic accident on their wedding day.
Step 4: More Questions
Next, devise 2-3 questions for each answer you gave.
Example: For simplicity I'm using one example from the previous step.
She has a fiancé of 4 years whom she can’t bring herself to commit to. His name is Eric. He owns his own construction company, works hard and is steady and reliable. If he has a flaw, it seems to be his ambition and materialistic attitude toward life.
Question:
1 Is Eric ready to marry, if so, how does he handle her reluctance?
2 Why does Melanie feel she doesn’t want to commit at this time?
3 How does she feel about Eric’s ambitious nature?
Step 5: Bringing the Outline to LIfe...
Now choose one answer from each of the answer sections you created and summarize them in one paragraph.
Example: Melanie is 31 years old – She’s a widow with 2 children, estranged from her family and owns a flower shop. She has a fiance of 4 years whom she can’t bring herself to commit to. His name is Eric. He owns his own construction company, works hard, and is steady and reliable. Eric is ready to marry and is growing more impatient with Melanie's reluctance. If he has a flaw, it seems to be his ambition and materialistic attitude toward life, one that conflicts with Melanie's tendency to be a little too giving and generous for her own good. And she can't forget her experience at her grandmother's seaside cottage and the growing mental and emotional need to return, which she does on the first morning of the Spring Equinox..
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This is just a few plot points generated in a very short time that begins to set the stage for the story you began in your opening paragraphs. Following this example, in depth, can produce multiple plot possibilities. In fact, ideas will jump on the page. You'll discover paths that you never knew existed, a treasure trove of twists, mysteries, deep character traits or actions, obstacles, along with new and creative resolutions.This method is not only productive, it's also somewhat addictive. And at times, you end up with so many good ideas that it becomes hard to choose. But one thing is certain, you'll never experience 'writer's block'
.I'd love to hear what you think of this approach to plot development, and if you've tried it, how it worked for you.