When you first outline your novel idea, you probably have a rough idea of its plot line to begin with. Therefore, you should expect to edit the outline. As you edit and revise, you quickly discover that your plot tends to “jell”. You begin to gain better ideas and insights about your characters and plot.
I’ve learned these things in outlining my own novel idea. Since its initial version a few days ago, that idea has been polished over the last few days and is getting better. I’ve got the first ten chapters outlined and like the direction in which the novel’s plot line is going. After reviewing the first version of my outline, I thought that Chapters 1 through 4 were rather weak and uninteresting. As a reader, I would be bored and as an editor, I’d reach for a rejection slip. Period.
In writing your novel’s outline, you should understand that you’re getting words down on paper, but are not guaranteed that those words in the present draft are subject to revision and clarification. Those words give you the direct benefit of having something to work with from the get-go. Those words are the raw material from which you will “sculpt” your novel.
Another benefit is the flexibility that a rough outline allows. For example, you have room and time to edit it after a day or two, without having to scrap the whole project for minor correctable flaws. Your characters and their personalities jell and even suggest ways to advance the plot. Those ways are not what you might expect. You’re more familiar with your characters now and their perspectives on things. Knowing this much about the characters, you can develop your plot more smoothly and logically. There’s no need to force characters in the plot.
So much for benefits. Moving on and reviewing your plot outline, you’ll want to check out a few things, which are listed below. If any of those things are missing, they spell trouble and will hamper your plot. I’ve edited my outline by considering each of the following:
To polish your plot, look at your outline’s first three or four chapters. Does the first chapter grab your attention and motivate you to find out what is going to happen next? Or does it just sit there?
Is your main character involved early on, or is he or she an onlooker? If your character is an onlooker, you may have to choose another character to replace him with, preferably a character whose issues are evident and disturbing from the outset. What is the main character’s job or profession and what is that job’s role in your novel’s plot?
Who is opposing your main character and why? Does the antagonist have issues and if so, what are they? For example, is he a rival? An enemy? A monster? A jealous suitor?
Can you notice any subplots as a result of characters.’ flaws, actions, desires? Which flaws and actions seem to be opposite of those of your main character?
Remember to jot down insights that occur to you about any or all of your characters and plot.
Dorothy Zjawin is the author of a number of Instructor articles that inspired her published book, Teaching Ideas for the Come-Alive Classroom (Parker/Prentice-Hall). She is also working on her novel outline. For more ideas, visit her blog at http://moneywrites.blogspot.com
Leave a Reply