Story Basics
What is the story about? (Briefly state: Main character, what went wrong, what does the character have to do, what happens if the character can’t do it?)
Who is the main character? (What’s good about them? What’s bad? What’s one experience in their background that helped shape who they are? Can readers relate to them?)
Who is the antagonist (aka bad guy)? (What’s bad about them? What’s good? What’s one experience in their background that helped shape who they are? What gives them the edge to potentially beat the main character?)
Who are some other characters in the story? (Friends, family, love interests, teachers, external conscience, etc.) https://boords.com/storytelling/character-archetypes
What else is going on? Subplots? (Romance? Problem with siblings or kids? Problems at work? Life complications like they’re broke or about to lose their housing? A parent is a god and their enemies are pissed?)
Tropes. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GenreTropes
Outlining
Make a list of at least twenty major events or challenges the main character will (or may) face.
How you fill this out is based on your writing style. If you liked formal outlines in English (or language) class, use one. Break it down into sections and have at least three events or obstacles for each level.
You can also write “what if” statements. (What if he nearly drowned as a child and is afraid of water? What if he’s forced to go out on a boat to save his daughter’s life?)
Beginning (25% of the novel word count)
Middle 1 (25% of the word count working up to a major event)
Major event
Middle 2 (25% of the word count working toward the last conflict where the main character defeats the antagonist)
Ending (Last 25% of the novel and can include an epilogue)
Characters
Customize this character template for your writing style. (It helps to fill out the template before outlining because it helps understand how a character will react.)
Name:
Description:
Birthday:
Birth Location:
Zodiac Sign(s):
Family Heritage/Ethnicity:
Culture/Subculture:
Religion:
Parents:
Siblings:
Other Family:
Spouse/SO:
Children:
Occupation:
Innate Talents:
Knowledge/Skills:
Hobbies:
Housing:
Finances:
Personality:
Personal Quirks:
What line won’t he cross:
How does he view himself:
Physical Differences:
Psychological Differences:
Memory:
Weaknesses:
Bad Habits:
Regrets:
What would he change, if he could:
Back Story:
Traumatic Experiences:
Views on Relationships:
Views on Others: