Outlining a Novel in Three Acts
I outline my books. I know this about myself, and I no longer try to fight it. I have a thing for complex characters with complex relationships. Without an outline, I wouldn’t be able to sustain the tension or wind my way through bewildering relationships. I’ve finally found a method that works for me, so I thought I’d share it with those looking for tips on outlining.
- I generally write about 20-50 pages before I touch the outline. This helps me discover who my character is and what their voice sounds like. Once I have a handle on this, the outlining begins.
- I plan for 30 chapters as a guideline. Why? Because I like how solid 30 is. Using a piece of notepaper, I number each line 1 thru 30.
- Get to know the Three-Act structure which divides the story into three main parts:
- Act I is the beginning where you introduce the characters and the situation they are in before a conflict occurs to change things
- Between Act I and II is Plot Point #1. This is an event or external action that changes everything for your character and sets the story in motion.
- Act II is the middle of your story and is littered with all the obstacles you keep putting in your character’s way until you reach the Black Moment of the story
- Between Act II and III is Plot Point #2. This is an event or external action that happens AFTER the Black Moment and shifts your story toward the resolution.
- Act III is where you wrap up all your storylines and resolve any conflicts.
- This website gives an awesome breakdown of the three-act structure, along with movie examples.
- So keeping my structure in mind, I take my piece of paper and pencil in the Black Moment and Plot Point #2 (around Chapter 26). My stories usually come to me with these moments in place.
- Now, here’s the tricky part. I like to start my stories in the thick of things. In my last novel, the very first line of the book introduced my Plot Point #1. Does this mean I skipped writing Act I? No. I combined Acts I and II, layering them together.
- Okay. I know where my story starts (Plot Point #1), and I know the worst it’s going to end up (Black Moment). What about all the stuff in between – that honestly used to terrify me? Every few chapters I pencil in an obstacle. I think about my character’s goal, and situations that could get in the way of that goal. I generally have about 6-7 of these obstacles that get increasingly worse as I near the Black Moment.
- That takes care of 9 chapters, you say. What about the other 21 chapters? My last WIP had an MC that had complex relationships with 5 other characters in the novel. Each of these relationships had to have an arc, with the relationship changing over the course of the novel as the MC changes. So over the course of those 21 chapters I rotated between those 5 different arcs, including a beginning, middle, and end (or resolution) for each.
- Beware sustained tension. Readers get fatigued if you never give them a break from the tension. I had one particular character arc that acted as break from the tension. Each chapter or scene my MC had with this character gave her a mini-break before she hit another obstacle. My way of relieving the sustained tension and giving the reader a chance to rest.
- Note on Plot Points, Obstacles, and Black Moment: These should be events rather than emotional moments. Rather than “MC finally gets mad,” an obstacle would be “X Character does Y .” The MC may very well get mad, but that’s an emotion and not an event per se. Events spark action and change (and emotions). They are required to move your story forward.
Here’s an example of a single chapter’s “outline” from my last WIP:
Chapter 1: Carey is MIA/Blake calls/Mom left
Cryptic, right? Just a few notes like this per chapter provide me with a writing goal. The brevity allows me the freedom to let scenes develop as I write without outlining myself into a corner. So I know in Chapter 1 I want to announce that Carey is MIA, have Blake call my MC about it, and introduce that the MC’s mom abandoned her. Thee conflicts to introduce, but it’s up to my muses how much of each conflict I introduce and what type of scene I do it in.
I like to think of my process as a freeway with lots of exits and places to go.
I hope you can find something useful in my mad method!
Here’s a barebones view of how I layered things in for my last WIP:
| Chapter | Act | Act Structure |
| 1 | Plot Point #1 | Plot Point #1 |
| 2 | Act I/II | |
| 3 | Act I/II | Obstacle #1 |
| 4 | Act I/II | |
| 5 | Act I/II | |
| 6 | Act I/II | Obstacle #2 |
| 7 | Act I/II | |
| 8 | Act I/II | |
| 9 | Act I/II | Obstacle #3 |
| 10 | Act I/II | |
| 11 | Act I/II | |
| 12 | Act I/II | |
| 13 | Act I/II | Obstacle #4 |
| 14 | Act I/II | |
| 15 | Act I/II | |
| 16 | Act I/II | |
| 17 | Act I/II | |
| 18 | Act I/II | |
| 19 | Act I/II | Obstacle #5 |
| 20 | Act I/II | |
| 21 | Act I/II | |
| 22 | Act I/II | Obstacle #6 |
| 23 | Act I/II | |
| 24 | Act I/II | Obstacle #7 |
| 25 | Act I/II | |
| 26 | Black Moment/ Plot Point #2 | Black Moment/ Plot Point #2 |
| 27 | Act III | |
| 28 | Act III | |
| 29 | Act III | |
| 30 | Act III |
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17 Responses to "Outlining a Novel in Three Acts"
on February 2, 2011 | to this post
I. Love. You. So. Much. For. Posting. This. Seriously. My poor, pantsing brain really needs the visual to understand how this outlining works.
*runs off to expand outline attempt*
on February 2, 2011 | to this post
Awesome, AWESOME post. It took me awhile to embrace the outline, but it’s just so much easier to keep track of things and plan them out. Especially with books that have multiple subplots or mystery elements.
on February 2, 2011 | to this post
Oh goodness, that just looks SO pro. Amazing, Cory!
on February 2, 2011 | to this post
I am somewhat of a pantser, but have discovered that my novels often meander aimlessly. I like plotting, but find it difficult to do so — this is such a perfect advice on outlining. Thanks so much!
on February 2, 2011 | to this post
This is one to bookmark. Thanks for helping all of us who are left-brain deficient bring some order to our creative process.
on February 2, 2011 | to this post
Deb, Kathleen, Yahong Chi, and Emy:
Thanks for the comments! It took me a while to settle into my process, but I couldn’t do it without an outline. I hope this helps!
Anne:
I’m middle-brained. I like organized chaos, if that makes sense. LOL. And you’re welcome!
on February 2, 2011 | to this post
Oh. My. Goodness. This is so awesome. Thanks, Corrine! I don’t usually outline but the shiny new idea I have requires one. It’s just too complicated. I’m saving this and copying your method. Great tips!
on February 3, 2011 | to this post
Wow! You are just way too organized. I usually scribble down plot points (on various pieces of paper) and then I go for it. I assure you; there is a method to my madness! I’m glad you use google connect!
Dare to Follow Your Heart
Some Guys Are Toads
on February 3, 2011 | to this post
This is EXACTLY what I need. I tend to write some of the juicy scenes first, then have a heck of a time tying stuff together! This is perfect.
on February 3, 2011 | to this post
That is serious organization!! Love it! I’m probably the most disorganized writer I know, so something like this is probably impossible, but I like the idea of it. I think with my next WIP, I’ll try to do something more like this.
Also, welcome to Bookanistas! Glad to have you, Cory!
on February 4, 2011 | to this post
After Rachel Harper’s lecture at the fall residency, I decided to outline my next novel. After my new baby seemed to sap my writing mojo, I decided to outline my next novel. After reading your blog, I decided to outline my next novel! So for the first time ever, I’m outlining! Thanks for the inspiration!
on February 4, 2011 | to this post
Tracey: Copy away! Let me know if you find it helpful…
Samantha: You should see my itinerary when I travel. I have mad Excel skills.
Roberta: I’m so glad you found it useful!
Carolina: Thanks for the welcome! I’m so happy to join Bookanistas!
Kristin: You’re welcome! And congrats on the baby!
on March 15, 2011 | to this post
Cory, this is way cool! I’ve been an unrepentant outliner for years, but I love the simple way you’ve laid out the visual representation of the outline, with the plot points and obstacles and the black moment. So clear and simple. I’m adopting this immediately. Great stuff!
on June 8, 2011 | to this post
My pantser self shrieks in horror at the idea of an outline, but I love the idea of “penciling in” obstacles. Very cool!
on September 28, 2011 | to this post
I’m going to try this because I think I just got lost in WIP. Thanks