Drafting an outline is the process of creating a structural blueprint for a writing project—such as a story, novel, or article—before diving into the full, detailed composition. It acts as a skeleton for the narrative or argument, helping to organize thoughts, ensure logical flow, and overcome writer’s block. Here are the key aspects of drafting outlines:
Purpose: Outlines serve as an external memory tool, allowing authors to organize complex narratives without needing to hold every detail in their head simultaneously. They also reduce the cognitive load of making, and remembering, hundreds of micro-decisions regarding plot or structure, allowing the writer to focus on the writing process itself.
Core Components: Fundamental elements to include are major plot points, character motivations, and the “who, what, when, where, and why” of the story. For complex works like a series, detailed outlines are essential for maintaining consistency.
Structure & Detail Level: The detail level varies based on preference; some writers prefer a broad, bulleted list of key events, while others, particularly those who prefer thorough preparation, use them to plan specific scene structures, Action/Reaction sequences, and character motivations. Types of Outlines:
Simple Outline: A rough, skeletal structure often used by spontaneous writers.
Detailed Outline: A meticulous plan that can include specific character actions and setting details. The “Drafting” Phase:
Initial Brainstorming: Often called a “dreaming” phase, this involves listing out all the creative, “shiny” ideas before organizing them.
Analytical Pass: A later, more logical pass through the ideas to ensure logical progression and fill in gaps in the story.
Outlines vs. Drafts: While some consider a detailed scene-by-scene outline as a “zero draft,” an outline generally stops just short of full narrative prose, focusing instead on the structure and sequence of events.
Flexibility: Outlines are not set in stone; they can, and often should, change and evolve during the writing process.