Hey there, fellow writers!

This week, I’m sharing why outlining my projects in advance is not only giving my projects new life but also helping me COMPLETE them!

When I began writing, I was a dyed-in-the-wool pantser.  For those of you non-writers who may be reading this, that means that I frequently flew by the seat of my pants when writing. I might have a clear idea on how the story might begin and end, but I didn’t have much of the in between plotted before I began to write.

For me, that “kind of” worked, but I also spent years on projects, writing and rewriting scenes or characters or outcomes.

Last fall, I ran across a TikTok video from another author who shared their writing formula… and something about it clicked for me. It wasn’t just about outlining, it was about giving a story a framework to live inside of.  Sure, I always knew there should be a “beginning”, a “middle”, and an “end”, but this was more specific, helping me to decide where to place rising and falling action, determine when one arc should die down as another began, and all kinds of goodness that really made so much sense to me.

For me, it’s a “work smarter, not harder” approach that helps me target my writing so that I can stay on track and get things done.

So, let’s take a deep dive into outlining and the Three-Act Formula. Before you plunge headfirst into writing, take some time to map out your story. Think of it as your writing GPS—without it, you might end up lost in the wilderness of your own imagination! A detailed outline should include key plot points, character arcs, and major events. This will give you a clear roadmap to follow and can prevent the dreaded writer’s block.

Why Outlining Matters

Creating an outline might sound like an extra step, but it’s a crucial part of the writing process. Here’s why:

  1. Prevents Writer’s Block: Knowing where your story is headed helps keep you on track and reduces the chances of getting stuck.
  2. Saves Time: With a clear roadmap, you’ll spend less time wondering what happens next and more time writing.
  3. Improves Structure: Outlining helps you identify and fix plot holes and inconsistencies before you start writing.
  4. Enhances Creativity: Surprisingly, having a framework can actually boost your creativity by providing a clear direction and freeing you to focus on the fun details.

Personal note: AI is helping my ADHD brain organize and outline my plots before I start writing, which has been a HUGE game changer for me. When I say “outline,” I mean it’s a basic framework. I leave plenty of room for creativity and leeway to modify stories as needed. Often, unexpected things come out of writing, but having a basic framework in mind can be a big help to assist you in starting or completing a project. AND, if you’re in the middle of your story and something just doesn’t feel right, you can always ADJUST.  Your outline can be flexible.  The point is that you have a general idea and direction with some basic underpinnings hold to as you’re creating.

The Three-Act Formula: Your Story’s Backbone

The three-act structure is a classic storytelling technique that divides your narrative into three distinct parts: Act One, Act Two, and Act Three. Each act serves a specific purpose in advancing the plot and developing your characters. Let’s break it down:

Act One: Setup

  1. Opening Scene Start with a bang! Your opening scene should grab the reader’s attention and set the tone for the story. Introduce your main character(s) and establish the setting. This is where you hook your readers and give them a reason to keep turning the pages.
  2. Inciting Incident This is the event that kicks off the main plot. It disrupts the protagonist’s ordinary world and sets them on their journey. The inciting incident should occur relatively early in Act One to keep the momentum going.
  3. Plot Point One End Act One with a significant turning point that propels the story into Act Two. This event should raise the stakes and compel the protagonist to take action. It’s the point of no return for your main character.

Act Two: Confrontation

  1. Rising Action Act Two is all about building tension and developing your characters. This section should include a series of obstacles and challenges that the protagonist must face. Each obstacle should escalate the conflict and push the protagonist closer to their goal.
  2. Midpoint The midpoint is a crucial moment in the story that often includes a major revelation or a dramatic event. It should shift the direction of the plot and increase the stakes even further. The protagonist might gain a new understanding or face a significant setback.
  3. Plot Point Two As Act Two comes to a close, introduce another major turning point that leads into the final act. This event should set up the climax and prepare the protagonist for the ultimate showdown. It’s often a moment of crisis or a low point for the main character.

Act Three: Resolution

  1. Climax The climax is the most intense and exciting part of the story. It’s the moment of truth where the protagonist faces their biggest challenge. This should be a high-stakes, emotionally charged scene that brings the main conflict to a head.
  2. Falling Action After the climax, wrap up any loose ends and begin to resolve the remaining subplots. This section should provide a sense of closure and show the consequences of the protagonist’s actions.
  3. Resolution End with a satisfying conclusion that ties everything together. The resolution should reflect the protagonist’s growth and how they’ve changed throughout the story. It’s the final moment that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Personal note: You can get detailed with your Three-Act Formula. I’ve seen framework recommendations that will even include percentages you can use to help you decide where to place your plot points within your story.  For example, if you are writing a Fantasy and are aiming for a book of 140,000 words, you might put a rough estimate goal to have the first act of your story wrapped up by 25% to 30% into your novel. You can aim to do that by about 35,000 to 40,000 words into your story.  Knowing this in advance can help you gauge the distance and keep you focused so that you don’t end up wandering about lost until it’s suddenly time to move to the next part of your tale. For me, it’s been very helpful to think of my story in parts like this. Understanding what I mean to accomplish in each section before I start working on it gives my writing new purpose it didn’t have before.

Tips for Crafting an Outline Using the Three-Act Formula

Here are a few recommendations for things to include in your outline.  Please note that you may do some or all of these depending on what works for you.  For example, I don’t necessarily outline every single scene. The major ones, yes.  But there’s still the heart of a pantser in me, so my outlines usually give enough room for more creative license while I’m inside writing the story. I don’t know literally everything before I sit down to write chapter one.

  1. Brainstorm Key Elements
    • Characters: Develop your main characters, including their backgrounds, motivations, and goals.
    • Setting: Establish the time and place where your story takes place.
    • Theme: Determine the central theme or message you want to convey.
  2. Map Out Your Plot Points
    • Act One: Outline the opening scene, inciting incident, and Plot Point One.
    • Act Two: Detail the rising action, midpoint, and Plot Point Two.
    • Act Three: Plan the climax, falling action, and resolution.
  3. Flesh Out Your Scenes
    • Break down each act into individual scenes. Describe what happens in each scene, who is involved, and how it advances the plot. Include any important dialogue or actions that need to occur.
  4. Develop Character Arcs
    • Outline the progression of your main characters’ arcs throughout the story. Note how they change and grow in response to the events of the plot.
  5. Review and Refine
    • Once you have a complete outline, review it for coherence and flow. Make sure each scene logically leads to the next and that the stakes continually escalate. Refine any weak points and ensure that your story stays engaging from start to finish.

I hope that you found this information helpful.  I’ve added some more reference materials to other resources and blogs below if you’d like to continue to explore.

Happy outlining!

Resources:

The Three-Act Structure: The King of Story Structures (reedsy.com)

Mastering the Three-Act Structure: A Comprehensive Guide for Writers (bubblecow.com)

The 7 Best Ways to Outline Your Novel (with Templates) | P. S. Hoffman (pshoffman.com)