One of the most important phases in my novel writing process is outlining. Many authors don't like outlines because they feel like an outline will "trap" them into having the writing go a certain way. However, I see an outline as a road map. It gives me a guide to get me to where I want to go, but it's not locked in stone. Just like detours happen on road trips, sometimes something comes up that needs to be added or changed in the novel. I give myself permission to make changes as I need to when writing. I've also found that outlines help to keep me on track, and make the actual writing so much easier. Once the outline is done, the rest of my work is expansion, and expansion is easy.

I don't use a traditional, Roman numeral type outline, although it can look like one structurally. Like most the rest of my novel building, I've created a form that I use. You can download it here. While the form breaks up a book by locations, you can use any divisions that work for your novel. For Assassin's Choice I used locations, but for my first Randi Kayde novel I used victim numbers, which worked better for a murder mystery plot. I don't use chapters because I don't generally know the novel well enough to determine chapters yet.

The form has 3 "sections" already set up. I use these to create 3 anchors before I do anything else. The first anchor is the opening events -- not scene, events; the second anchor is the ending events; and the third is some event that I know will happen between the beginning and the end. I use these three anchors to add events and fill out the outline for the rest of the novel, placing each new event in the outline in relation to the anchors I've established. I'm not writing story yet either. I write in broad strokes, using notes, often in present tense, and fill in the gist of the events rather than full detailed paragraphs. My goal is to put the story down as a list of bare bone events.

While I'm sure others can use this form in other ways, here's how I fill it out:

1. I fill in each event with a brief, concise, "note" sentence. I don't put in a lot of elaborate detail yet. I just want a general idea of what's happening at this point. I don't try to write down each and every action/reaction that will go into creating each event. This is just a brief sketch.

2. After each event, I make note of the world building I will need to do (for non-spec fic, this would be a good place for notes on the research you need to do), including the characters, locations, and anything else I may need to profile. These notes actually help me a couple of ways. They actually give me stuff to think about for the story even if I'm having trouble creating the outline. They keep me thinking on it but without me trying to force the story. Should all else fail, they give me stuff I can do while taking a break from the outline itself. Some writers may need to write this list when they're sure the outline is done rather than while developing the outline.

3. Once I have the 3 anchors down, I add events as they come to me, placing them in where they go in relation to the anchors and all the other events. This may not happen in a linear fashion, though it can. I just let it flow, writing everything down as it comes to me so I don't forget anything.

4. I combine story notes and author notes. Author notes are for my use only. They influence the writing of the story, but do not necessarily show up in the novel. For those who find this mixing confusing, put the notes all at the end of each section or in another file, or whatever works for you. Author notes are important, though, as they help keep you aware of what will influence your story and how you write it, so you want to make sure to have them somewhere.

5. I do use the topic titles (i.e. Main Story, Subplot, Character Plot or Character's Name) in each event to help track each plot and subplot. This helps me make sure each one is both being used and is progressing, as well as to make sure the characters are all involved in the story. They also allow me to track what is going on with those plots even if those events don't show up in the actual writing of the novel. They're like place holders. I add a completely new section (from Main Story to Character Name sections) for each event and delete everything I don't need once I'm sure the whole story is outlined.

You can set up this outline in any way that works for you. If you want to use indents like a regular outline, go for it. If you're not comfortable with that, then set it up another way. Just make sure each section of the outline is clear. I use a combination of color coding and indents. How I outline the plots, subplots, and character actions seems to depend on the story. For Assassin's, I outlined the whole thing from beginning to end. For others I've had to put in each plot one at a time, or fill out one larger section before moving onto another section. Assassin's was done in a linear fashion, others were filled in haphazardly until I knew they were done. How you work with the outline will depend on you and your story.