Outlining Your Novel (affiliate link)
As those of you who listen to my weekly podcast or follow me on Twitter and Facebook are probably already aware, I’ve been hard at work this year on the writing craft book Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success which will be released September 26th. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing excerpts, trailers, and some fantabulous prize drawings. (Read on for more about the goodies.)
Can outlining your novel help you write a better story?
Writers often look upon outlines with fear and trembling. But when properly understood and correctly wielded, the outline is one of the most powerful weapons in a writer’s arsenal. Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success will:
- Help you choose the right type of outline for you
- Guide you in brainstorming plot ideas
- Aid you in discovering your characters
- Show you how to structure your scenes
- Explain how to format your finished outline
- Instruct you in how to use your outline
- Reveal the benefits of outlining, which include:
- Ensuring cohesion and balance
- Preventing dead-end ideas
- Providing foreshadowing
- Offering assurance and motivation
- Dispel the misconceptions that outlines:
- Require formal formatting
- Limit creativity
- Rob the joy of discovery
- Take too much time
Even if you’re sure outlining isn’t for you, the book offers all kinds of important tips on plot, structure, and character.
The book will launch Monday, September 26, with a week of celebrations, featuring daily giveaways and culminating in our three-tiered Grand Prize giveaway worth over $400, featuring prizes from PosterText, a huge bundle of writing craft books, and a Kindle. In the meantime, stay tuned every Wednesday for special previews of the book and weekly book prizes!
