Outlining a novel in just one day is a large task, however it is possible with the right plan. And it can happen in just 1 day.  

There’s a constant argument about whether one should outline their stories or not. Those who outline are often referred to as outliners, while the others are pantsers because they write by the seat of their pants. Some of the best authors fly by the seat of their pants, while other famous authors have diligently prepared a specific outline.

There is no wrong way. Do what works for you. But have you ever stared down at a blank page with your fingertips on the keyboard, shivering with excitement, waiting for those words to come out? And then… nothing! An outline will get the flow started.

Writing a book outline in one day is possible with a structured approach. Like everything else in life it is knowing where to start. All stories share a simple common structure – so the simplest way to outline your novel is to use that universal template to your advantage.

Here are the core elements of your story:

  1. The concept or idea
  2. The protagonist
  3. The antagonist
  4. The supporting characters
  5. The story structure
  6. The setting
  7. Plus whatever else you feel will add to your story.

What A Story Template Looks Like

A story template is just a simple method for getting all those brilliant pictures out of your head and on to the page in a way that will help your story ideas make sense to your readers. To begin with we need to look at the key components of any story.

Write down the following headings:

  • Main character (who leads the story)
  • Status Quo (situation at the start)
  • Motivation (what your character wants)
  • Initiating incident (what disturbs the status quo – conflict)
  • Developments (what happens next)
  • Crisis (how things come to a head)
  • Resolution (how things resolve)

Now, when you actually sit down to write it’s like filling in the blanks! You are ready to write. Take a deep breath and experience getting “lost” in your story while writing.

If you’re new to writing and don’t know where to start I can show you how for less than the cost of a lunch for two.

Unleash the novel inside you

with compelling characters,

intricate worlds,

and fine-tuned prose.

“Linda has published twenty books. She blogs about the publishing world, posts useful tips on the challenges a writer faces, including marketing and promoting your work, how to build your online platform, how to get reviews and how to self-publish. She has mentored many authors and edited their work.”