Q&A for How to Write an Outline for a Story

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How do you start an outline?

Lucy V. Hay
Professional Writer
Lucy V. Hay is a Professional Writer based in London, England. With over 20 years of industry experience, Lucy is an author, script editor, and award-winning blogger who helps other writers through writing workshops, courses, and her blog Bang2Write. Lucy is the producer of two British thrillers, and Bang2Write has appeared in the Top 100 round-ups for Writer’s Digest & The Write Life and is a UK Blog Awards Finalist and Feedspot’s #1 Screenwriting blog in the UK. She received a B.A. in Scriptwriting for Film & Television from Bournemouth University.

Lucy V. Hay

Professional Writer

Expert Answer

It might be helpful to write out the parts of your plot diagram on pieces of paper or sticky notes. Then, you can place them on a table or wall and rearrange them until you find an order that works.

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Question

How can I identify a plot hole aside from inconsistency?

Community Answer

Just tell someone what the story revolves around, and then tell them to read it. Make your friends critics and have them be honest about it. Sometimes others can see what we cannot.

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How does the plot of a story help the story?

Community Answer

The plot IS the story, in most cases. The plot is everything that actually happens; it drives your story and makes it interesting.

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Does a climax have to be intense?

Louisa

Community Answer

Not all climaxes involve fierce fighting or bloodshed. Yours can be as minor or major as you want, but it should be an event that matters to the character.

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I'm a sensitive writer. I fear that in raising the stakes, my character or friends will get killed, and that distresses me. How to I detach from this fantasy and not be so concerned?

Tom De Backer

Top Answerer

The greatest of authors only make it seem that their stories already existed in some other realm, and that they were just the messengers, bringing those stories into our world. In reality, they crafted them meticulously for a long period of time, with all their heart and soul. As an author, you don't follow the story to see where it leads; you lead the story. You choose whether characters get killed or not, and claiming to be sensitive is just not wanting to take responsibility should your story not be liked by readers.

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I want to write a novel about a poisoned forest fire that leads to an epidemic in a fantasy world. Is this a good plot idea?

Louisa

Community Answer

That sounds like a great inciting incident, but you're going to need a story around that forest fire. Was it started by someone? Why does your main character care? What can they do about it? What obstacles do they face when the forest is not safe?

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I want to start a book series about a college student but I have zero ideas for an original plot. What can I do?

Community Answer

You can tell a story about how he deals with life, so that the reader's may learn something. Use your own experiences as inspiration.

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Can I have more than one main character telling the story? Can I also use the lesser main character set the story in motion?

Donagan

Top Answerer

You can use more than one character to tell the story if you're careful not to confuse the reader. Perhaps one character could narrate a chapter or a part, while another character narrates a different chapter or part. Using a secondary character to set the story in motion is commonly done.

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How long should I plan for my story, and how much information do I need before I can start writing it?

Community Answer

Try to outline your main plot before you get started. Write down what message you want to convey through your writing. Write down your main characters. Maybe even map out your setting.

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