Step by Step: How to Write the Perfect Outline for Your Book!

Does this sound like you?

• Has a great story idea.
• Starts writing said idea.
• Gets partways through and then…bleh?

Well, I have the perfect solution…my supercalifragilisticexpialidocious outline!

I discovered this perfect outline formula after I took the plunge into writing my own fantasy novel. I spent a long four years rewriting my story; filling out character charts, plotting on Scrivener, and watching YouTube videos. I even went as far as to change my major and earn a BFA in creative writing. But, you can skip all the hurdles.?

I present to you…my magic formula…

BEAT SHEET

If you’ve ever read the novel Save the Cat! Writes a Novel, by Jessica Brody, then you know what a beat sheet is. In the novel, several popular books are used as examples to show the reader how to plot a beat sheet. The components of the Save the Cat beat sheet consists of several categories.?

1. The opening image.
2. Setup
3. Theme stated.
4. Catalyst.
5. Debate.
6. Break into 2 (Act 2)
7. B story.
8. Fun and games.
9. Midpoint.
10. Bad guys close in.
11. All is lost.
12. Dark night of the soul.
13. Break into 3 (Act 3).
14. Finale.
15. Final image.

Now, if you looked at this list, you might be thinking…what the heck! It’s so much and you’d be correct. I, myself, took a stab at filling out this multi-level beat sheet, but I quickly discovered two things.

I didn’t want my story to feel too formulaic and it was a lot to imagine about my story before I’d even written the first chapter.?I’d suggest completing this more complex beat sheet once you’ve finished the first draft of your manuscript.

So, after much trial and error. I created a simple beat sheet that had one sole purpose. To get the key scenes the writer can’t stop thinking about out of their heads and onto the paper (or computer).

Here are the beats.

1. Opening scene.
2. Introduction to the world (status quo life).
3. Catalyst (inciting incident).
4. Contemplation.
5. Journey.
6. Resolution.
7. After the storm.?

A measly seven beats. YAY!

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