What is a good type of outline to make for a novel?

Question

Any ideas for a type of outline to use would be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

The best kind of outline is the kind that works for you. I know that's not very specific, but it's true.

For example, I almost never use outlines until I've written a few chapters and know where I want the story to go. And even then, I just use a loose outline - write what I want to happen in what order.

Some people like to web ideas - start with a central theme or event and then draw lines outward to characters, other events, etc. and continue from there.

Some people like to draw a triangle (right angle on the right) and list the rising action along that with positive things that happen to the main character above the diagonal line, and negative things below.

Some people use a very strict outline, like the kind you'd use for an academic paper, with each new heading being a new chapter.

Hopefully this helps... If not, there's all sorts of books on writing out there, maybe one will have an idea that works for you!

Answer 2

for a very formulated novel you could do an intro explaining the background the character and then jump right into current action. The background information is known as the exposition. In the exposition you should then establish a conflict between the protagonist and anything else be it a mental battle, a conflict with an actual person, a task that they are struggling to accomplish etc. In this conflict you should have 'complications' things that get in the way of the main character accomplishing what they want. All of this build up is called 'rising action'. And what is the action rising to you might ask? The climax (aka turning point) of course. This should be a pivotal moment or event that changes the protagonist or the approach that the protagonist is taking toward the conflict. Everything leading down from that is called 'falling action' and this lead to the 'denouement' also known as the resolution in which the conflict is completly solved and everything else is wrapped up.


p.s. by reading my questions i bet you thought i was a lazy and unintellegent teenager right? wrong. don't judge a book by its cover. i didn't take all that information from a website i know about it from class, so try not to be so quick to judge ok? i struggle with poetry though, we all have our weaknesses.
hope this helps.

Answer 3

If you're writing the novel you are asking about, try writing a two to three page short story version of the novel first. This will give you a road map to write the novel, and provide an interesting way of summarizing the novel for prospective readers

Answer 4

Why do I touch my self when Im sleep by Blue Jeans.