How to Outline Your Book: A Step-by-Step Guide for New Writers
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
So—you’ve got a brilliant idea for your book. You’ve done your research, brainstormed your characters, maybe even made a few Pinterest boards (no judgment here—we’ve all been there). Now you’re staring at a blinking cursor, wondering…
“Okay… how do I actually start writing this thing?”
That’s where outlining comes in.
Even if you’re not a full-on plotter, a flexible outline gives your story structure and direction. It’s like GPS for your novel: you still get to take scenic routes and pit stops, but it helps prevent you from getting hopelessly lost on page 87.
In this post, we’ll break down how to outline your book step-by-step, share some flexible methods that work for different writing styles, and link to tools (affiliate-friendly!) that’ll help you stay organized and creative.
📚 Why Outlining Matters (Even for “Discovery Writers”)
You don’t have to outline every scene to benefit from an outline. Even a loose story skeleton can help you:
Write faster (fewer “what happens next?” stalls)
Strengthen your character arcs and plot tension
Spot plot holes before you’re 50k words in
Keep yourself motivated when writing gets tough
Think of it as a safety net for your creativity—not a prison.
🧠 Step 1: Choose Your Outlining Style
There’s no one right way to outline. The key is finding the method that matches your brain. Here are three popular styles:
📌 1. The Classic 3-Act Structure
Best for: Beginners, screenwriters, most genre fiction.
Act 1 – Setup
Act 2 – Confrontation
Act 3 – Resolution
Each act has its own beats (inciting incident, midpoint, climax) and helps keep your pacing tight.
✅ Use this if you want clear structure with lots of flexibility.
🧱 2. The “Save the Cat” Beat Sheet
Best for: Writers who love milestones and turning points.
This method breaks your story into 15 beats, such as:
Opening Image
Catalyst
Fun and Games
All Is Lost
Finale
🛠️ Try it with: Save the Cat Writes a Novel (affiliate)
🧩 3. The Snowflake Method
Best for: Detail-lovers and worldbuilders.
Start small (one-sentence summary), then expand it into paragraphs, scenes, and chapters. It’s like zooming in from space to street level.
Great for building depth—but it does take time.
✏️ Step 2: Start With the Big Picture
Before you worry about chapter breaks, ask yourself:
What is the main conflict of your story?
Who is the main character—and how do they change?
What’s the emotional journey your reader will take?
Write a one-paragraph summary that covers:
The protagonist
The stakes
The main conflict
The promise of the premise
Example: In a kingdom where only men can compete for the throne, a girl takes her twin brother’s place in a deadly competition—risking everything to uncover the truth behind her family’s legacy.
Boom. That’s your story in a nutshell.
🧩 Step 3: Break It Down Into Key Beats
Once you have your core idea, start placing the major story beats.
A simple version:
Beginning: Introduce your character + the world
Inciting Incident: Something big happens
Middle: Things get complicated—stakes rise
Climax: The final showdown or reveal
Ending: Resolution + emotional closure
Bonus Beat Ideas:
The Lie the character believes
The “Fun & Games” (where the hook plays out)
The Lowest Point / Dark Night of the Soul
The Theme or Message of the story
🧰 Step 4: Use Tools to Visualize It
Some writers love sticky notes. Others need spreadsheets. Choose your outlining weapon:
🛠️ Tools You Can Try (Affiliate Opportunities!)
Plottr – visual timeline builder + templates for Save the Cat, Hero’s Journey, and more
Notion – customizable workspace for chapters, characters, and outlines
Scrivener – great for managing scenes and notes side-by-side
Milanote – mood board meets whiteboard for creative planners
Trello – drag-and-drop cards for scenes or chapters
These tools make it easier to rearrange scenes, see pacing issues, and track subplots.
💡 Quick Tips for Outlining Without Overthinking
Don’t try to outline everything—just key beats or scenes
Let your characters surprise you, even if you planned ahead
If you’re stuck, write a fake “back cover blurb” first
Treat your outline like a map, not a rulebook
Revisit it after each draft—it should grow with your story
🧾 Quick Recap: How to Outline Your Book
✔ Choose your outlining method (3-act, Save the Cat, Snowflake)
✔ Write a 1-paragraph story summary
✔ Identify key beats and turning points
✔ Use tools like Plottr or Notion to keep it visual and editable
✔ Don’t be afraid to pivot—outlines are meant to evolve
🧡 Final Thoughts
Outlining doesn’t have to stifle your creativity. In fact, the right outline gives your imagination more room to breathe. It keeps your story focused and your characters moving forward, without leaving you stuck in the middle.
So, whether you’re writing your first book or your fifth, start with the blueprint. The rest will come.
