Should I Outline My Book Before Writing? Detailed Answer

Yes, you should outline your book before writing. Here’s why:

Some writers think an outline is too rigid, but it’s actually the opposite. Planning a book takes as much creativity as writing one.

You probably have a million ideas swirling; it could be a DIY guide, a fantasy, or a memoir. It’s tempting to dive in, but what happens when you get stuck after a few chapters and feel you made a mistake?

I know the feeling because I’ve started countless manuscripts without an outline and paid for it with a hard drive full of unfinished projects.

So, if you’re wondering, “Should I outline my book before writing?” This article answers that so you can write with a clear plan and the confidence to finish.

What is a Book Outline?

A book outline is a plan for your book that gives you a picture of what you’re writing, where it’s going, and how the parts connect.

There are different ways to outline a book. You could go simple with bullet points, draw out chapter summaries, plan scene-by-scene for a story, or even make a visual mind map. Just use what works for you.

In the film The Man Who Invented Christmas, we see Charles Dickens battling with his own creations while writing A Christmas Carol. Scrooge, in particular, keeps arguing back and refusing to cooperate. That scene is the perfect example of what writing without an outline can feel like. You end up fighting with your own draft instead of taking it forward.

Why You Should Outline Your Book Before Writing

You should outline your book before you write to provide a guide for your story and organise your ideas.

Here are three reasons why you should take the time to plan first:

1. It Prevents Writer’s Block

An outline shows you what comes next, so you’re never staring at a blank page wondering, “What do I write now?”

Think of a complex novel like Helon Habila‘s Oil on Water, which has multiple storylines and characters. Without a structure, a writer could easily lose the plot or abandon the story midway.

This also applies to non-fiction. A memoir like Adewale Maja-Pearce‘s In My Father’s Country uses personal history with national events. For a work like this, careful planning would be needed to ensure nothing gets lost or is confusing.

2. It Makes Your Story Flow

When you outline, you turn rough ideas into a story that makes sense. Just as investigative journalists like Dele Giwa had to flesh out facts and interviews before writing, outlining helps you organise your own thoughts. It makes sure your narrative, whether a novel or an essay, stays structured and easy to follow.

3. It Saves You Time and Effort

Fixing mistakes in an outline is easier than rewriting whole chapters. It’s like building a grand piano. Every key, string, and hammer is carefully tested before it’s assembled.

If a flaw is caught early, it can be fixed. If it’s found later, taking the piano apart wastes time, money, and effort.

Writing is the same. Outlining makes sure the pieces of your book fit together before you start.

What to Include in Your Outline

Your outline should cover the main idea, the structure, and the important elements.

Here’s a simple breakdown that works for both fiction and non-fiction.

1. Main Idea and Theme:

Think about what your book is about. Is it a detective chasing down a criminal? A girl discovering her powers? Or maybe it’s about you sharing lessons from your own life?

Whatever it is, hold on to that main idea. It’ll keep you from losing focus.

2. Structure (Chapters or Sections):

Break your book into chunks so you don’t get overwhelmed.

If you are writing fiction, each chapter should push the story forward. To do this, you should introduce tension, show character growth, or throw in twists or hurdles.

For non-fiction, logically organise your ideas. You can put in case studies, examples, tips, or arguments – just ensure these get your point across.

Planning all these saves you from getting stuck halfway through your book.

3. Key Elements (Characters, Plot, and Research)

This is like your cheat sheet. Everything you need to keep your story or argument on point goes here.

Write down your main characters, their goals, struggles, and key events. It’ll help you follow the twists without anything feeling off or random.

For non-fiction, do the same with people, events, quotes, and research. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re writing and don’t have to dig around for details.

Let’s look at some examples.

For fiction (say, a thriller), your outline might look like this:

Chapter 1: Detective discovers the first clue

Chapter 2: Introduce the suspect and build tension

Chapter 3: A twist; an unexpected betrayal

For non-fiction (like a business guide), your outline could be structured like this:

Section 1: Identify a common problem in your industry.

Section 2: Share strategies or solutions.

Section 3: Provide case studies and actionable steps.

How to Use Your Outline

1. Be flexible: Let your outline guide you, but follow where the story or ideas take you.

2. Update as you go: Things change while writing. Keep your outline current so it shows new details.

3. Check your story or points: Make sure characters, themes, or arguments are consistent.

4. Keep everything together: Notes, research, and random ideas all belong in one place. Keeping them together saves time and keeps you organised.

Remember that your outline isn’t there to restrict you but to guide you to a finished book

Do you feel like your ideas are good, but you just can’t get them on the page? At Nnika Publishing, we believe a great idea deserves to be a finished book. We offer book ideation and consultation services. If you’re ready to get started, let’s talk.

FAQs

1. Doesn’t outlining kill my creativity?

No, outlining doesn’t kill your creativity. Rather, it helps you organise your ideas. You can still explore new directions and experiment while you write.

2. How long should my book outline be?

It’s up to you. Could be a few bullet points or several pages. It should be enough to know where you’re going, not so much that it slows you down.

3. Can I still make changes if I have an outline?

Yes. Your outline serves as a support system, not a rule book. You can change it anytime your story or ideas change. Most writers do make changes along the way.