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Outline Your Books Or Die!: Secrets of Writing Fiction that Sells: Plotting, Story and Structure, Novel Outlining Techniques
Should you outline your novel?In most cases, the answer is yes, but only if you know how it can be done quickly, efficiently and effectively. It’s not enough to understand how to outline; you have to know how to create a commercially successful story in the shortest possible time. Do you know all you need to know about story and structure?
New, updated version 4.1 for 2023
Author and writing coach Jim Driver spent months taking seminars and masterclasses with famous authors like James Patterson, and reading almost every book on novel planning, outlining, and plotting ever written (slight exaggeration)! As a result, he’s worked out a new way of outlining that makes the story-writing process simple and practically foolproof.
His outlining techniques work in every genre and can help you outline and write a commercially successful novel or screenplay in less time than you thought possible. Story engineering has always been complex.
Don’t settle for just writing a novel or screenplay. Instead, discover how to outline correctly and aspire to write the best commercial fiction you can.
Can you afford to leave it to chance?
Click the ‘Look Inside’ tab above to get started.
New, updated version 4.1 for 2023
Author and writing coach Jim Driver spent months taking seminars and masterclasses with famous authors like James Patterson, and reading almost every book on novel planning, outlining, and plotting ever written (slight exaggeration)! As a result, he’s worked out a new way of outlining that makes the story-writing process simple and practically foolproof.
His outlining techniques work in every genre and can help you outline and write a commercially successful novel or screenplay in less time than you thought possible. Story engineering has always been complex.
Don’t settle for just writing a novel or screenplay. Instead, discover how to outline correctly and aspire to write the best commercial fiction you can.
Can you afford to leave it to chance?
Click the ‘Look Inside’ tab above to get started.
129 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2015
145 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 2, 2021
Nothing new or earthshattering in here. Presented in a thought provoking way. Gives several good ideas that I can put to good use.
January 2, 2022
Enjoyable and informative
I quite enjoyed the author’s approach and (almost) flippant regard to the whole process of outlining a novel. The examples provided were nice and easy to follow, giving understanding to the lessons imparted.
To be honest, I’ve avoided outlines to this point and have multiple lever arch files crammed with scribbled sheets along with a plethora of scrivener files to show for it. Very little in the way of actual completed, published works…
While reading, I began to scribble out a few notes about my own world, characters and story ideas. Then those notes expanded out to form a premise and summary… I feel no shame to admit I am on my way to having my first proper outline and I feel good about it!
I wanted to learn more about outlining and this book delivered.
Most definitely.
I quite enjoyed the author’s approach and (almost) flippant regard to the whole process of outlining a novel. The examples provided were nice and easy to follow, giving understanding to the lessons imparted.
To be honest, I’ve avoided outlines to this point and have multiple lever arch files crammed with scribbled sheets along with a plethora of scrivener files to show for it. Very little in the way of actual completed, published works…
While reading, I began to scribble out a few notes about my own world, characters and story ideas. Then those notes expanded out to form a premise and summary… I feel no shame to admit I am on my way to having my first proper outline and I feel good about it!
I wanted to learn more about outlining and this book delivered.
Most definitely.
December 18, 2019
Great tips. Outlining is pretty much the only way to go!
March 24, 2017
Extremely Helpful.
As a pantser trying to become a plotter, I've read lots of writing guides. This is by far the best and most useful I've found. Others have waffled or dictated rigid rules that don't seem to apply to my work - leaving me confused and feeling I've wasted my money again. This guide is straightforward, succinct and inspiring. I love the way Jim Driver writes. His style is clear, friendly and demystifies the whole process of outlining. His advice is easy to follow and apply to any genre. This has helped me a lot. Highly recommended.
As a pantser trying to become a plotter, I've read lots of writing guides. This is by far the best and most useful I've found. Others have waffled or dictated rigid rules that don't seem to apply to my work - leaving me confused and feeling I've wasted my money again. This guide is straightforward, succinct and inspiring. I love the way Jim Driver writes. His style is clear, friendly and demystifies the whole process of outlining. His advice is easy to follow and apply to any genre. This has helped me a lot. Highly recommended.
October 13, 2022
I was looking for advice before NaNoWrimo starts, and the first novel-outlining book I read was "Outline Your Books Or Die!: Secrets of Writing Fiction that Sells: Plotting, Authorship, Novel Outlining Techniques" (How To Write Book 5) by Jim Driver.
I chose it because it came up on the first page of Amazon search results, and the name was silly.
It was originally printed in 2015 and updated in 2020, so it is fairly recent, too. I don’t really like using books from earlier than about 2007 as references, because the publishing industry has changed so much since then.
This is a quick, easy read. It took me about an hour to get through the entire thing.
The author, Jim Driver, lays out his process step by step, clearly and concisely, so it was easy to get the main ideas without having to read the book again and again.
The process that he uses for outlining is simple, and he explains it without a lot of writing jargon, so even novice writers will find it easy to follow.
Overall, I gave the book five stars, because it is good at what it does, you just can't expect an academic treatise.
This is a good book for someone just starting out or someone who has read about the more esoteric outlining systems and thought they were too confusing. It is not for someone who wants to get deep into the philosophy of how storytelling works or wants to create a detailed beat sheet of their story.
Reading it isn’t a big time investment, so I recommend that authors check it out to see if there’s anything in it you can use. After all, if you have Kindle Unlimited, it’s free to read, so the price is definitely right!
I chose it because it came up on the first page of Amazon search results, and the name was silly.
It was originally printed in 2015 and updated in 2020, so it is fairly recent, too. I don’t really like using books from earlier than about 2007 as references, because the publishing industry has changed so much since then.
This is a quick, easy read. It took me about an hour to get through the entire thing.
The author, Jim Driver, lays out his process step by step, clearly and concisely, so it was easy to get the main ideas without having to read the book again and again.
The process that he uses for outlining is simple, and he explains it without a lot of writing jargon, so even novice writers will find it easy to follow.
Overall, I gave the book five stars, because it is good at what it does, you just can't expect an academic treatise.
This is a good book for someone just starting out or someone who has read about the more esoteric outlining systems and thought they were too confusing. It is not for someone who wants to get deep into the philosophy of how storytelling works or wants to create a detailed beat sheet of their story.
Reading it isn’t a big time investment, so I recommend that authors check it out to see if there’s anything in it you can use. After all, if you have Kindle Unlimited, it’s free to read, so the price is definitely right!
November 6, 2019
A short, shallow dive into the subject
This is a very small book, a good thing IF it was jam packed with focused information. It’s not. The first 80% is about preparing to outline. And the last 20% takes time to make shallow dives into other subjects. There’s not a thing in here I haven’t run into in better, beefier books that give more about all the aspects it covers. I will give it that nothing it says is inherently wrong. If you can find this little information actionable it should work for you. It’s just not actually going to save any time compared to getting a better, bigger book that will have all this in it and more in significantly better detail.
This is a very small book, a good thing IF it was jam packed with focused information. It’s not. The first 80% is about preparing to outline. And the last 20% takes time to make shallow dives into other subjects. There’s not a thing in here I haven’t run into in better, beefier books that give more about all the aspects it covers. I will give it that nothing it says is inherently wrong. If you can find this little information actionable it should work for you. It’s just not actually going to save any time compared to getting a better, bigger book that will have all this in it and more in significantly better detail.
September 7, 2017
Plain English with loads of examples
I've read quite a few books in writing and story and this is one if the best. Full of plain English, no jargon, instructions that will get you up and running quickly. So many 'how to' books are pure waffle but Jim not only tells you what to do, he demonstrates his ideas with well worked examples. I've started to dictate my stories Becki work full time and having a detailed outline speeds up the whole process so that you can fit in dictation in many if the previously unproductive parts of the day. Good job Jim.
I've read quite a few books in writing and story and this is one if the best. Full of plain English, no jargon, instructions that will get you up and running quickly. So many 'how to' books are pure waffle but Jim not only tells you what to do, he demonstrates his ideas with well worked examples. I've started to dictate my stories Becki work full time and having a detailed outline speeds up the whole process so that you can fit in dictation in many if the previously unproductive parts of the day. Good job Jim.
September 25, 2024
I am a pantser. If you are reading this, you know what that means. I have no interest in a big long, every chapter plotted out for a novel I would be working on. But I have come to respect that some parts of plotting could be helpful. So, I am reading some books on plotting.
This book is definitely WORTH the read.
It's short and has good ideas, insights, and suggestions. I am not ready to go all in on his ideas, but there are some extremely good ideas.
Must read for pantsers and plotters (for some new ideas).
This book is definitely WORTH the read.
It's short and has good ideas, insights, and suggestions. I am not ready to go all in on his ideas, but there are some extremely good ideas.
Must read for pantsers and plotters (for some new ideas).
January 24, 2022
very useful book highly recommend
I am an aspiring first time author. I found this book very helpful in organizing my thoughts and book plan. I look forward to reading the other books in this series to help me progress. This is an easy logical read, easy to keep track and make notes. Definitely recommend this book for aspiring or experienced authors.
I am an aspiring first time author. I found this book very helpful in organizing my thoughts and book plan. I look forward to reading the other books in this series to help me progress. This is an easy logical read, easy to keep track and make notes. Definitely recommend this book for aspiring or experienced authors.
September 3, 2019
I find Jim Driver's advice to be down to earth and practical. I enjoy his books and put much of what he says into practice.
October 27, 2019
Writing...in plain English!
I always a-predicate Jim’s books. They’re easy to understand and leaves me feeling a bit more confident. I get everything he puts out
I always a-predicate Jim’s books. They’re easy to understand and leaves me feeling a bit more confident. I get everything he puts out
June 25, 2020
Awesome!!!
It is a really helpful book. I am now going to get all his books! This is just what I needed!
It is a really helpful book. I am now going to get all his books! This is just what I needed!
September 14, 2020
Great and very informative.
Easy to understand and practical knowledge to help every beginner or seasoned writers. Excellent Guide for writers. Read this Book or Die!
Easy to understand and practical knowledge to help every beginner or seasoned writers. Excellent Guide for writers. Read this Book or Die!
January 22, 2021
A decent read, but at times it's comparable to stereo instructions
April 19, 2022
Wanted more details
I would like a bit more details on the steps from scenes to chapters. Overall the information was good in the book.
I would like a bit more details on the steps from scenes to chapters. Overall the information was good in the book.
March 6, 2024
Really good!
This book is great for people who are striving to be more knowledgable in their craft! It was very helpful!
This book is great for people who are striving to be more knowledgable in their craft! It was very helpful!
March 24, 2025
not perfect but helpful
December 27, 2015
Another Great Book From Jim Driver
I've purchased and read several books by Jim Driver and I am always inspired. If fact, I am currently working on a mystery novel, and while reading this book I got several ideas of how to improve my novel. It is tough writing your first novel, and probably your second and third. Jim Driver's books make the task seem achievable. I would recommend this book.
I've purchased and read several books by Jim Driver and I am always inspired. If fact, I am currently working on a mystery novel, and while reading this book I got several ideas of how to improve my novel. It is tough writing your first novel, and probably your second and third. Jim Driver's books make the task seem achievable. I would recommend this book.
July 19, 2016
Not formulaic but systematic
This is one of the better books on outlining that I have read. There is no formula (which too many writers try to use) just a system. And gone is the telling without showing. The step-by-step process is well defined and used for future writers to be able to absorb. This is highly recommended to those who, like me, are lost in the "where to begin" realm of understanding.
This is one of the better books on outlining that I have read. There is no formula (which too many writers try to use) just a system. And gone is the telling without showing. The step-by-step process is well defined and used for future writers to be able to absorb. This is highly recommended to those who, like me, are lost in the "where to begin" realm of understanding.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews