Novel Outline or Write by the Seat of Your Pants

Many novelists are adamant you must have an outline of your plot and characters before you begin your novel. Some say I have a plot idea and just type no preplanning at all.

Both of these methods have pros and cons. Either technique can be used/applied to any genre or length of story. Which method you choose has nothing do to with your education, training or experience in writing. So let’s talk about each one.  

This method involves complete planning of each scene or chapter of your book. For each Chapter you break it down into scenes. Then script your characters involved, time frame, setting. The next is optional  reasons for this time, setting, relationships of the characters to each other at this point. 

You are able to add scene ideas or possible dialog notes that you would like for this section of your novel. 

In this outline you also want to list your characters complications or obstacles that will lead to the next chapter or scene. Planning your novel from beginning to the end. 

Pros for this method are having a complete story view. You know the pace of your novel and worked out most of the inconsistencies of the plot. 

Knowing your novel so intimately can be a wonderful thing. But the world of fiction can take on a life of its own sometimes. The con is finding during your writing that your story has different ideas than you planned on. 

Getting into the nook and crook of the plot you may come across a twist or simple detail that will throw off the entire outline. That once clear picture you had from beginning to end is now foggy. 

Sometimes you’re able to write though the changes and get back on the planned route. Other times this twist gives your story just what it needs but there’s no way to get back on the outline’s track. This can be very frustrating when you believe you had a clear picture in mind.

This method is for those who like total creativity on the run. You have a novel idea, maybe even beginning, middle and end in mind.  Some only start with a character before sitting at the desk.

Your fingers hit the keys and start creating a world directly from your mind. Not much advance planning, maybe a couple of notes to go by. This gives you the freedom to change with the flow of your novel. 

There was no detailed plan of this is going to happen at this time so surprises may not take you off track. It is a big pro give your novel room to adapt and change. Though plot surprises can still be frustrating when your mind is on a plot angle. 

The con is that it is easy to get lost or ‘blocked’ with out a full view. For those that have a clear goal of beginning, middle and end it’s not so bad. But for those who just say we’re going to start with…. And see what happens it can be difficult road.

A full outline can be very intimidating, especially for new writers. Writing by the seat of your pants can be the same. But there is a choice for those who want some structure but the freedom of just writing it out. 

The bullet point outline is simple to create and can be changed on a whim. Write out 30 to 60 points or bullets you want to include in your novel. Then begin writing from the top of the list. Bullets can go by scene, chapter, setting. What ever you are more comfortable with. 

This is my personal outline choice. I usually start out with around 40 bullets then add to it as I go or think of something new for the story. My bullets are a mix of settings, scenes, when a new character comes into play. I will make a bullet for a bit of dialog I want to remember to include in a scene. 

Bullets can also be very rewarding for all levels of writers. When you are deep into a story there comes a time you feel like it will never end. You’ve taken a wrong turn somewhere, how can you be 20,000 words in and not have made any progress. 

By taking your bullets and using it as soft of a novel check list you can see your progress. It’s encouraging to see how much you have covered.  I take it a step further. 

On my desk is a bulletin board. I have it covered with novling notes, photos, special memorabilia. But I keep on side of the board lined with sixty pins for my bullets. I print out my bullets and cut them into strips to pin in order on the board. After writing one of the points I pull it off the board. 

This keeps my outline always visiual or on hand. And it lets me see that I’m making progress and the story is moving. This can be a huge motivator during a writing contest like NaNoWriMo where your writing 50,000 words in 30 days. 

A bullet point outline gives you the structure and the flexibility. A good mix of  Outlining and Writing by the Seat of Your Pants.