7 Ways to Outline a Book

Outlining is a practice many writers benefit from, but there are as many ways to outline a book as there are writers. Depending on your process, project, and genre, you might need a completely different approach to outlining a book. Outlining isn't one size fits all. Here are seven ways to outline a book, all across the outlining spectrum, from very light organization to incredibly detailed planning.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro
0:55 - The evolving outline
3:07 - The overview outline
4:00 - The plot structure outline
4:57 - The chapter outline
7:10 - The snowflake method
7:50 - The worldbuilding bible
8:47 - The motivation outline

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[badcatzgamedevelopmentcomp]

I always hear from Hollywood and some amature authors that you NEED a series bible, I wrote one, and then consciously knew that I was never going to use half of what I wrote, so I just built the world in the story. Worked for me, since nobody 'sees' what happens outside of the main story anyway.

[glenn_r_frank_author]

Great review of different techniques for outlining. I like how each one gives different levels of emphasis and how there are options for discovery writers and plotters! Also wanted to note that I like the improved production value on this video... better (less echoing) audio and background music very subtle. The graphics were also an excellent addition and improvement!

[missiedits]

I was just outlining my book and I got a notification

[JustinThorLPs]

Can you do videos on showing these different outlining methods put into practice?

[VeePunz]

This was super helpful, also in figuring out what kind of writer I am, considering how I reacted to which outline method 😂

[crookshankz]

Thanks for the video, I need it. I've written two books using the Chapter Outline, but every few chapters I had to revise because my characters never wanted to follow the plan. I think I'll try the Evolving Outline next time to see if that works better.

[moderndayaphorismswithUncleRay]

Very informative 📸 ✌️, 💞 And Many More 🙏 Blessing's....

[dway]

Creative and very practical methods! Thank you

[j.rileyindependentproductions]

For me, I write a treatment for the book that might only make sense to me, or maybe not... no one else has ever read them, lol. They tend to end up roughly 10 pages, sometimes a paragraph explains an entire chapter or just a scene, sometimes there's back and forth dialogue taking up an entire page. I make sure that the plot is there, the A leads to B leads to C, and sometimes add a little character development in. After it's done, and I find I am happy with it, I copy and paste it into the document I will be writing the book in. I then split up the treatment into chapters based on where I feel they might fall within the treatment. Sometimes what was put in one chapter may take two or three, sometimes what I thought would take two or three, only take one. I play with it and adjust it as I go. With me doing it this way, plot is for the most part set unless it desperately needs a change, while it allows me to discovery write the character development. Basically, I am throwing these characters into these plotted out scenarios, and then I let the characters find their way through it, if that makes any sense?

[jimf]

Passing this on to myDaily Writing Sprint youtube friends

[booksvsmovies]

Youtuber Michelle Shusterman has a great outlining method for mysteries where she takes every character and lays out their wants needs and secrets. It's a really good tool if writing whodunnits.

[lakeshagadson]

I wish I could hire someone like you as a teacher

[mbroihier]

Good info. Am wondering if there is a written version of this? Thx.

[starklingspars]

Found it lol. Heard you mention this vid in another vid

[BatesKrisbates]

What I like to do is write a quick plot synopsis, then write a chapter outline before I start with the actual first draft. That said, I'm not married to my outline, so I often leave myself enough leeway to where I can change something if something else isn't working and continue from there.

To me, going miles upon miles in-depth to outline everything within a book is a waste of time and a good way to get nowhere fast in terms of getting your book done.

[jackhaggerty]

Dorothea Brande said that every writer puts herself into a very light state of hypnosis.
*Far behind the mind's surface, so deep that she is seldom aware that any activity is going forward, her story is being fused and welded into an integrated work.* (Becoming A Writer, D Brande, Chapter Sixteen.)
Neuroscience is opening doors in our understanding of creativity, imagination, dreams & the mysterious faculty of the unconscious.
*The Hidden Spring - A Journey to the Source of Consciousness* by Mark Solms (2022) is a study of the hard problem of self-awareness.
Some knowledge of how the brain works is useful for the writer who must learn to pace herself without risking exhaustion and burn out.

[u_t_d_s_h-_a]

Whichever is the simplest outline format of them all ---should work best for novelists not known to have unique styles of writing or at least of narrating a story ...

[Wolf-geiz]

Evolving outline. Sometimes chapter too.

[cashpat]

I don't know...it feels like my daughter (who is super smart) is teaching me creative writing.

[FlipArt]

I like her. I'm subscribing because she cute.