My Outlining Process: How I Structured My Novel
Outlining a story can feel like an overwhelming task, but over time, I’ve developed a process that helps me stay organized while leaving room for creativity. In this post, I’ll walk you through the approach I took to structuring my current work in progress, from the initial idea to a detailed outline that guides my writing.
Step 1: The Initial Idea
Before I start outlining, I begin with a broad concept. This can be a character, a setting, or a central conflict that excites me. To help refine the idea, I ask myself:
What is the core premise of the story?
What themes do I want to explore?
Who is my protagonist, and what is their journey?
What genre and tone fit this idea best?
At this stage, I jot down all my thoughts in a freeform brainstorming session, usually in Scrivener or a notebook.
For this novel, I started with a setting I thought would be intriguing to read about (a small resort town) and then came up with my two protagonists and their shared backstory.
Step 2: The Four-Act Structure for Second-Chance Romance
For my current novel, I worked off a four-act structure designed specifically for second-chance romance. This framework helps me balance past history with present-day emotions while building toward a satisfying resolution.
ACT ONE: The Past and Present Collide
Introduction to Protagonists: Establish who they are now versus who they were in the past.
Reunion: The moment they come back into each other’s lives.
Initial Obstacles: Old wounds and present circumstances that stand in their way.
ACT TWO: Rekindling Feelings
Forced Proximity: A reason they have to spend time together despite resistance.
Past Revisited: Flashbacks or conversations that reveal their history.
Bonding: Moments that bring them closer despite their hesitations.
New Conflict or Revelation: A fresh obstacle or discovery that complicates things.
ACT THREE: The Emotional Climax
The Turning Point: A confrontation, revelation, or decision that changes everything.
Grand Gesture or Vulnerability: One or both characters take an emotional risk.
ACT FOUR: Resolution -- Healing & Renewal
Reconciliation: The characters find a way back to each other.
Community Support: Friends, family, or the town play a role in the resolution.
Hope for the Future: A glimpse of their new path forward, together.
Step 3: Scene-by-Scene Breakdown
Once I had the big picture, I broke the story into scenes using the card function in my Scrivener document. I used a bullet-point method where each scene includes:
Who is in the scene?
What happens?
What is the purpose? (Move the plot forward, develop character, increase tension, etc.)
How does it connect to the next scene?
At this stage, I also noted potential subplots, foreshadowing, and emotional beats that would need to be layered in. I later made a very detailed scene-by-scene outline that will guide me through the writing process, but at this point I just focused on the bigger picture.
Step 4: Adjusting for Pacing and Theme
With a scene list in place, I stepped back and analyzed:
Pacing: Are there enough high and low moments? Does the tension build properly?
Thematic Consistency: Are my themes reinforced through action and dialogue?
Character Consistency: Does every scene contribute to the protagonist’s journey?
If something felt off, I rearranged scenes or added depth where needed.
Step 5: Writing the First Draft
Now that I have a detailed roadmap, I've started writing. My outline serves as a guide, but I allow room for discovery. While I now have a very detailed scene-by-scene outline to keep myself on track, I'm not married to every element of every scene. If a scene takes an unexpected turn or a character’s arc deepens, I'll simply adjust the outline accordingly.
Final Thoughts
My outlining process strikes a balance between structure and flexibility. While I like having a clear direction, I also leave space for organic storytelling. Whether you prefer detailed plotting or loose guidelines, finding what works for you is key!
How do you outline your novels? Do you follow a strict structure or a more fluid approach? I’d love to hear about your process!
