The Novel Writing Process 4:
Road-Test the Idea with a Novel Outline
A novel outline is the bridge between the simple, one-sentence idea you came up with in the previous step and a full-blown, multi-page plan for your novel which you will create later.
Writing a novel outline isn't a crucial step in the writing process, but personally I find it very helpful...
First, it helps you decide if you love an idea enough to commit to it. This is the "road-testing" part. Writing a novel is a huge commitment, both in time and effort, and you don't want to give over two or more years of your life to an idea which frankly isn't roadworthy. Second - assuming you do commit to the idea - it is useful to block-out a rough plan for the novel using only your instincts before the detailed process of planning gets underway. Initial instincts are nearly always right.
"The best time for planning a book is while you're doing the dishes."
- Agatha Christie
How do you write an outline? In a nutshell, you take the one-sentence idea you came up with earlier and turn it into a page of notes on each of the following:
- Plot
- Characters
- Setting
- Theme
- Viewpoint
When the time comes, you will find detailed information on how to achieve this in the following article from the Finding Ideas section: Road-Testing a Novel Idea.
Next: Novel Writing Process Step 5
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