Every great story begins with a spark of inspiration, but turning that spark into a fully fleshed-out narrative can be daunting. That’s where a story outline comes in. An outline acts as the blueprint for your story, providing structure, clarity, and direction while leaving room for creativity to thrive. Whether you’re writing your first novel, screenplay, or short story, learning how to craft a solid story outline is essential for success.
At the Westbrae Literary Group, we champion fresh, raw voices and innovative approaches to storytelling. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of creating a story outline, from initial brainstorming to the finer details of scene development. Whether you’re a plotter who meticulously plans every detail or a pantser looking to incorporate some structure, this guide will help you bring your story to life.
A story outline is a framework that maps out the key events, characters, and themes in your narrative. Think of it as a skeleton: it provides structure and support while allowing the story to take shape around it. An outline can be as detailed or as loose as you like, depending on your writing style. Some writers create exhaustive outlines with bullet points for every scene, while others stick to broader overviews of each act or chapter.
Outlining helps you:
1. Organize Ideas: Keep track of your plot points, character arcs, and world-building elements.
2. Identify Gaps: Spot missing details or inconsistencies in your story early.
3. Maintain Focus: Avoid tangents that derail your narrative.
4. Write Efficiently: With a roadmap in hand, writer’s block becomes less daunting.
Every story starts with a central idea or theme. Ask yourself:
• What is the main concept or premise of my story?
• What message or emotion do I want to convey to the audience?
For example, if you’re writing a mystery, your core idea might revolve around solving a crime. If you’re tackling a romance, the focus might be on the challenges of finding love. Write down your central idea in one or two sentences.
Pro Tip: Use a “What If?” Question
Many great stories stem from “What if?” scenarios. For example:
• What if a young wizard discovers he’s destined to defeat a dark lord?
• What if a group of strangers is trapped in a haunted house and must work together to survive?
This question will help you clarify your story’s premise and set the tone for your outline.
There are several common story structures you can use as a foundation for your outline:
Three-Act Structure
The classic structure divides the story into three parts:
1. Act One: Setup – Introduce the characters, setting, and central conflict.
2. Act Two: Confrontation – Develop the conflict, obstacles, and character arcs.
3. Act Three: Resolution – Resolve the conflict and tie up loose ends.
Hero’s Journey
Popularized by Joseph Campbell, the Hero’s Journey follows a protagonist through key stages:
1. The Call to Adventure
2. Crossing the Threshold
3. Trials and Tribulations
4. The Ultimate Challenge
5. Return with the Reward
Save the Cat Beat Sheet
Designed for screenwriters but useful for any writer, this method breaks down a story into 15 beats, such as:
• The Opening Image
• Catalyst
• Midpoint
• Finale
Seven-Point Plot Structure
This structure highlights major turning points:
1. Hook
2. First Plot Point
3. Pinch Point One
4. Midpoint
5. Pinch Point Two
6. Second Plot Point
7. Resolution
Choose a structure that resonates with you and aligns with your story’s goals.
Strong characters are the heart of any compelling story. Before outlining your plot, spend time fleshing out your characters. Consider the following:
Main Character (Protagonist)
• Who is your protagonist? What are their strengths, weaknesses, and desires?
• What motivates them, and how will they grow or change throughout the story?
Antagonist
• Who or what opposes the protagonist?
• Is your antagonist a person, a group, a force of nature, or an internal struggle?
Supporting Characters
• What roles do secondary characters play in the story?
• How do they support or challenge the protagonist?
Create character profiles that include physical descriptions, backstories, and key personality traits. These profiles will help you craft consistent and relatable characters.
With your structure and characters in place, start brainstorming key events in your story. Ask yourself:
• What inciting incident sets the story in motion?
• What obstacles will the protagonist face?
• What major turning points will keep the audience engaged?
• How will the story climax and resolve?
Write down your ideas as bullet points or in a mind map. Don’t worry about perfect sequencing yet—just get your ideas down.
Once you have a list of key events, organize them into a scene-by-scene outline. For each scene, consider the following:
1. Purpose: What does this scene accomplish? Does it move the plot forward, reveal character development, or build tension?
2. Setting: Where does the scene take place? What details bring the setting to life?
3. Conflict: What challenge or obstacle arises in this scene?
4. Outcome: How does the scene end, and what does it set up for the next scene?
Here’s an example:
Scene 1: The Inciting Incident
• Purpose: Introduce the protagonist and their world; establish the central conflict.
• Setting: A bustling city street.
• Conflict: The protagonist witnesses a shocking event that upends their life.
• Outcome: The protagonist is thrust into action.
Repeat this process for every scene until your outline is complete.
To enrich your story, weave in subplots and themes. Subplots provide depth and complexity, while themes give your story a unifying message.
Subplots
• What secondary stories can you include to complement the main plot?
• How do these subplots intersect with the protagonist’s journey?
Themes
• What larger ideas or questions does your story explore? (e.g., love, betrayal, redemption)
• How can you incorporate these themes subtly through dialogue, imagery, and symbolism?
An outline is a living document. As you begin writing, you may find that your story evolves in unexpected ways. That’s okay! Use your outline as a guide, not a rigid set of rules.
• Check for Consistency: Ensure that characters’ actions align with their motivations and that plot points connect logically.
• Evaluate Pacing: Are there any slow sections or rushed scenes? Adjust the outline to maintain an engaging flow.
• Seek Feedback: Share your outline with a trusted reader or writing group to get fresh perspectives.
Creating a story outline is a powerful way to transform your ideas into a cohesive narrative. It gives you the structure to stay focused while allowing room for creativity and spontaneity. Whether you prefer a detailed roadmap or a simple list of key beats, the process of outlining will set you up for success.
At Westbrae Literary Group, we believe in the power of storytelling to inspire, challenge, and connect us. We hope this guide helps you craft the story you’ve always wanted to tell. Happy writing!
If you’re a writer looking for a home for your work, consider submitting to the Journal of the Westbrae Literary Group. We’re always on the lookout for fresh, raw voices that challenge traditional literary norms.