6 Outlining Methods to Suit Your Writing Process

It’s a common conversation among authors: Do you plot, or do you “pants”? Can an outline help a writer by providing a roadmap through their story, or might they prevent flexibility and keep a writer from “discovering” their story as they write?

Here’s the thing: Outlines don’t have to be prescriptive, nor do they have to cut off potential areas of exploration. In fact, there’s a variety of outline methods with different levels of flexibility, so it’s easy to find methods that suit your own writing process without making you feel limited.

We’ll cover—

• What is an outline?
• Plotting vs. pantsing, or Why use an outline?
• 6 common outlining methods

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I’ll say it out loud: Even pantsers need outlines; even pantsers use outlines. The term “outline” has an unfortunate connotation of being stiff and rather academic, which might even be why some writers stray away to avoid losing the creative aspect of drafting and discovering their characters, plots and worlds.

But “outline” is actually a very loose term, and outlines can look like anything, which means every writer can create an outlining system that works best for them, whether they crave drafting with a detailed map or drafting with some aspects yet unexplored.

What is an outline?

An outline is a roadmap for your manuscript, mapping out a variety of concepts related to your novel. Most often, an outline will contain the main scenes (and depending on the writer, sub-scenes) in the order that they’ll come in the novel, giving you a simplified look at your novel that aids in drafting—you always know where you’re heading next. As such, outlines can help you get a smooth first draft, preventing plot holes, character inconsistencies, and more.

Importantly, outlines can also be used to create character journeys, plot character motivation (and match it to the events in the plot), and ensure solid worldbuilding.

Plotting vs. pantsing: Why use an outline?

Writers tend to break themselves into two general camps: plotters and pantsers. As you can imagine, “plotters” are those who outline before drafting, and “pantsers” (named for the phrase “running by the seat of your pants”) are those who tend to draft without outlines, letting the characters and story guide them into the plot naturally.

The thing is, though: Every writer has at least a brief outline in their head. They might have a character, know what they want, and know what stands in their way: That’s an outline. They might have a beginning and an ending, and even though the middle is a bit fuzzy: That’s an outline.

It’s possible to have only a vague idea of where the next scene will take you and still have a successful draft, just as someone who’s spent time outlining every scene will have a successful draft. Every writer has a different process, and so the idea of outlining (and “plotters” and “pantsers”) could use a little flexibility.

6 common outlining methods

Since every writer has a different process, and therefore could use a different method of outlining from another, I’ve decided to create a list of 6 different outlining methods that each allow different levels of flexibility:

Core scenes

My personal favorite method, the “core scenes” method of outlining only requires that you have a handful of scenes that you think define your novel. They can be from any point in the novel, and mark any beat.

Make a list of the scenes you’ve brainstormed (I like to start with 7–10), and make sure you have a general idea of what happens, and why it’s important (to a character, to the story). Then, put them in order. This creates a vague map that allows flexibility in connecting the scenes as well as the certainty of where to go next. Prior to drafting, you could even take the outline further by brainstorming more scenes that will help connect these bits. How far you want to go is up to you.

Synopsis outline

A synopsis outline allows the freedom of pantsing your entire plot without taking the time of actually freewriting an entire manuscript. Simply sit down (or stand) with your favorite writing tools, and give yourself a number of freewriting sessions (they can be however long you want; I like 10 minute sessions!).

Freewriting allows you to map out the plot without worrying about filler and transitions: Your character does one thing, and then another thing, and then another thing. A synopsis very much focuses on cause and effect, action and reaction, so these can be helpful ways of imagining your novel early on. By the time you’re done, you’ll have 5-10 pages (depending on how detailed you are) of a map that will help you draft.

Three-act structure

There are many styles of the three-act structure of storytelling—including the Three-Act Structure (9 beats), Save the Cat! (15 beats), and the Hero’s Journey.

Three-act structures create a bit more of a detailed outline (i.e. the least amount of flexibility) than previous methods because they focus on helping you map out specific story beats that allow you to weave together your plot with your character’s internal journey: Beyond beginnings, ends, and climaxes, they chart out a pattern of character behavior that includes specific moments like refusal of the call, entering the underworld, dark night of the soul, and so on. Many writers who plot regularly recommend these methods because they ensure your character’s journey and motivations align with plot events more thoroughly.

Snowflake method

One of the most flexible methods of outlining, the snowflake method starts you out with the smallest, simplest part(s) of your story idea, and you gradually work your way out into the details. In addition to outlining a novel, you can use this method to develop your world and your characters as well. Brainstorming from the simplest concept of your novel to a more complex version. Start with basic details, and branch out as you learn more.

Bookend method

The bookend method of outlining is similar to the core scenes method of outlining, but a little more open. Start with the beginning of your story and the end, as well as a basic idea of your main characters (what they want, why they want it, what stands in their way). Then, just start drafting. Like the core scenes method, you have the journey’s destination, but unlike it, you leave a bit more to chance along the way.

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The thing about outlining: There is no one-size-fits-all method. Every writer brain works differently, and every writer has a different process. That’s okay. It’s also important to note that outlining doesn’t miraculously guarantee you won’t get stuck along the way, and outlining doesn’t mean you can’t stray from the path as you write.

Experiment, and find a plotting method that works the best for you. It can have a lot of detail, or a little: This is your show.

Finding yourself stuck on your outline? Not sure how to finish it, or want to make sure it’s complete before you draft? Or did you outline, but now find yourself “stuck” in the middle of drafting? Book an outline consultation with me to answer any remaining questions, help you flesh that manuscript out (while keeping your desired level of flexibility), and send you on your way into your first draft with confidence.

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