An outline is simply a way of deciding, before or during drafting, what order the pieces of a book will go in. The process behind a good outline is the same whether you are writing a novel, a memoir or a business book; only the kind of "piece" changes.
This guide walks through that process step by step, then shows what an outline typically looks like for each major book type, so you can build one that fits the book you are actually writing.
What is an outline?
An outline is an ordered list of the major moments, sections or arguments a book will move through, written before or alongside drafting so you have a working sense of the whole shape. It can be a page of bullet points or a detailed scene-by-scene document; both are outlines.
Why use an outline?
An outline helps you notice pacing and gaps before they cost you a full draft, keeps subplots or chapters roughly proportionate to each other, and gives you something to write towards on days when the next scene is not obvious. It is not required, but most writers find some version of it useful, even a loose one.
What is the basic outlining process?
- 1
1. Define what the book is about
A sentence or two describing the subject, story or argument, before worrying about order.
- 2
2. Identify the reader or protagonist
For fiction and memoir, who the story centres on. For non-fiction, who the book is written for.
- 3
3. List major sections or events
The big pieces: turning points for fiction and memoir, chapter topics for non-fiction.
- 4
4. Put them in a logical order
Chronological, thematic or built around escalating stakes, depending on the book.
- 5
5. Identify gaps
Where the order jumps or a section is still vague. Note these rather than solving them all immediately.
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6. Start writing and revise the outline as needed
Treat the outline as current best guess, not a fixed plan.
What does a fiction outline look like?
A fiction outline usually lists key turning points rather than every scene: the inciting incident, escalating complications, a midpoint shift, the climax and the resolution.
Example
For example, for a novel about a woman investigating her late mother’s past: 1) she finds a hidden letter; 2) she tracks down her mother’s old friend, who is evasive; 3) she learns of a second family; 4) a confrontation forces a choice about what to do with the truth; 5) she decides how much to tell her own children.
What does a memoir outline look like?
Memoir outlines often work by period or theme rather than by plot event: the years or phases the book covers, and the emotional or practical shift within each.
Example
For example, a memoir about caring for a parent might outline: the diagnosis and initial shock; the practical scramble of the first months; a period of uneasy routine; a crisis that changes the caregiving relationship; the aftermath and what it taught the author.
What does a non-fiction outline look like?
Non-fiction outlines usually list the reader’s problem, then the chapters that build towards solving it in a logical sequence, often from foundational ideas to more advanced or specific ones.
Example
For example, a book for new managers might outline: why the first year matters; setting expectations early; running one-to-one meetings; handling underperformance; and building a team rhythm that survives after the first year.
What does a business-book outline look like?
Business-book outlines often centre on a core framework, with chapters unpacking each part of it and case studies or examples illustrating how it works in practice, ending with practical application for the reader.
What does a children’s-book outline look like?
For picture books, an outline is often a page-by-page or spread-by-spread list, since page turns drive the pacing. For middle grade, it looks closer to a fiction outline with major turning points, scaled to a shorter length.
What is a chapter outline?
A chapter outline breaks the book-level outline into what each chapter needs to accomplish: which event or argument it covers, how it ends, and how it connects to the chapter before and after.
What is a scene outline?
A scene outline goes a level further, noting who is in each scene, what they want, what changes by the end of it, and how it moves the story or argument forward. It suits writers who want detailed continuity, particularly for plots with clues, twists or multiple timelines.
Should my outline be flexible or detailed?
Either can work; the right choice depends on the writer and the book, not on which looks more professional. A flexible outline suits books that benefit from discovery during drafting; a detailed outline suits books with tight continuity requirements.
How much detail is enough?
Enough that you are not stuck each time you sit down to write, and not so much that finishing the outline starts to feel like finishing the book. If you keep adding detail without starting to draft, that is a sign to stop and begin instead.
What do I do when the outline stops working?
This usually means the draft has taught you something the outline did not anticipate: a character behaving differently than planned, or an argument needing a different order. Update the outline to match what you now know, rather than forcing the draft back into an outdated shape. See How Do I Write a Book Outline? for the practical steps of turning this process into an actual outline document.
Common mistakes
- Outlining a book you have not yet described in one sentence. Ordering pieces of an idea that is still vague tends to produce a detailed outline of something unclear.
- Skipping the gap-finding step. Gaps left unnoted in an outline usually surface mid-draft, at a less convenient moment.
- Treating the outline as final once written. An outline made before you know the material well is a first guess, not a fixed plan.
- Outlining every scene for a book better suited to discovery writing. Overly detailed planning can drain the energy some writers need to draft freely.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a different outlining method for each book type?
The process is the same; the unit changes. Fiction and memoir outline around events or periods, non-fiction around arguments and chapters.
How long should an outline be?
It varies from half a page of bullet points to many pages of scene notes. Length should match how much structure you personally need to start drafting confidently.
Can I outline as I go rather than all at once?
Yes. Some writers outline a few chapters ahead at a time rather than the whole book upfront, revising as they learn more.
What if my outline and my draft disagree?
Trust the draft where it has clearly found something better, and update the outline to reflect it rather than forcing the draft to match old plans.