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Write a Novel: How to Outline a Book in Three Hours
Can you really outline a whole book in three hours? Thousands of Ninja Writers have done it. And yes--so can you! This method is not only effective, it’s fun. You’ll never worry about the blank page again!
An outline, or plot, is really just a roadmap through your story. A flexible roadmap. One possible route. There might be detours, once you start writing. You might take side trips you didn’t even see coming.
But your roadmap helps you make sure you’re always headed in the right direction. Even diehard pantsers need to know where they’re going, if they want to actually get there.
This three-hour method for outlining a book is my exact method for making sure that when I start writing a story, I finish it. I’m excited to teach it to you.
You’ll learn how to:
- Go from the spark of an idea to five key plot points.
- Expand your key plot points into 30 or 40 scenes.
- Use those scenes to write a fast zero draft.
If you’re ready to actually write that book, this is the first step!
Shaunta Grimes writes young adult and middle grade novels. She runs an online writing community, Ninja Writers, that has more than 50,000 members from around the world.
An outline, or plot, is really just a roadmap through your story. A flexible roadmap. One possible route. There might be detours, once you start writing. You might take side trips you didn’t even see coming.
But your roadmap helps you make sure you’re always headed in the right direction. Even diehard pantsers need to know where they’re going, if they want to actually get there.
This three-hour method for outlining a book is my exact method for making sure that when I start writing a story, I finish it. I’m excited to teach it to you.
You’ll learn how to:
- Go from the spark of an idea to five key plot points.
- Expand your key plot points into 30 or 40 scenes.
- Use those scenes to write a fast zero draft.
If you’re ready to actually write that book, this is the first step!
Shaunta Grimes writes young adult and middle grade novels. She runs an online writing community, Ninja Writers, that has more than 50,000 members from around the world.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
54 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 19, 2020
414 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
November 8, 2020
Honestly the book was decent and the steps are reasonable and worth trying. But the author spends the first 3rd of the book complaining about nanowrimo and how it's bad but also good but it sucks, and that was pretty annoying. I get that the author has a lot of opinions, but putting them into an intro of a how-to book was unnecessary and distracting.
December 31, 2020
Not bad But not Great either
Honestly the content was something I could have found in an extensive blog post. There was a lot of repetition in the Introduction about why Nanowrimo isn't healthy for authors. While agreed with every point it felt like she went on and on about it just to fill up space.
Then when you get to the outlining part it's pretty basic. Cover the five W's of your story idea, then move onto breaking it into the Save The Cat 3 act structure. Use sticky notes to organize your ideas. Then write more detailed concepts to flush out your outline. That's pretty much all that was covered.
Honestly I just don't feel like I got value for the $4 I paid. This felt more like a 99 cent value.
Honestly the content was something I could have found in an extensive blog post. There was a lot of repetition in the Introduction about why Nanowrimo isn't healthy for authors. While agreed with every point it felt like she went on and on about it just to fill up space.
Then when you get to the outlining part it's pretty basic. Cover the five W's of your story idea, then move onto breaking it into the Save The Cat 3 act structure. Use sticky notes to organize your ideas. Then write more detailed concepts to flush out your outline. That's pretty much all that was covered.
Honestly I just don't feel like I got value for the $4 I paid. This felt more like a 99 cent value.
October 26, 2020
I have followed Shaunta for a while so I am on her email list. And to say, thanks, I guess, I bought this when it was released.
She has released it now just before national novel writing month for a reason. She thinks Nano can be problematic for people even though she does it herself every year.
*side eyes trunked files folder*
Yeah…
She thinks it can ruin a great idea. Write it badly and be so off track OR so traumatised that you don’t know how to fix it kind of ruin. And I get that. [I rage deleted my nano account recently] So, her idea is to try to teach people to sort WHAT they are going to write before they start. Which is good advice.
And it is much better to write all year, than just for one month.
And it is really good to work out early (during the ‘what if’ process) if you have enough of an idea to stretch it out to 50k words for nano or longer for a full novel.
I admit that I pulled out a notebook and following her prompts, scribbled out an idea that just might have the legs.
4 stars
She has released it now just before national novel writing month for a reason. She thinks Nano can be problematic for people even though she does it herself every year.
If you’ve participated in NaNoWriMo before, hidden somewhere on your hard drive you’ve probably got either a half-finished book, a weird start, or a first draft that’s so bad you can barely stand to think about it. You’ve probably got one for every year that you’ve participated. (p. 10).
*side eyes trunked files folder*
Yeah…
She thinks it can ruin a great idea. Write it badly and be so off track OR so traumatised that you don’t know how to fix it kind of ruin. And I get that. [I rage deleted my nano account recently] So, her idea is to try to teach people to sort WHAT they are going to write before they start. Which is good advice.
And it is much better to write all year, than just for one month.
And it is really good to work out early (during the ‘what if’ process) if you have enough of an idea to stretch it out to 50k words for nano or longer for a full novel.
I admit that I pulled out a notebook and following her prompts, scribbled out an idea that just might have the legs.
4 stars
July 28, 2021
Okay
I almost didn't finish. Let me start by saying there are some good things here, it's not that there isn't anything of value. It's nothing I haven't really heard before, but a lot of craft books say the same thing and we still love them. I actually liked the questions listed to ask yourself when brainstorming. But there wasn't enough here outside of that to make it worth reading. The real reason it only gets two stars for me? They spend the first fourteen pages talking about how much they hate NaNo, why we shouldn't do it, and how much they wish they could talk people out of it. While also talking about the good things that come of it for some people, sure. To be fair, they said that opinion would rub some people wrong. I'm definitely one of those people.
I almost didn't finish. Let me start by saying there are some good things here, it's not that there isn't anything of value. It's nothing I haven't really heard before, but a lot of craft books say the same thing and we still love them. I actually liked the questions listed to ask yourself when brainstorming. But there wasn't enough here outside of that to make it worth reading. The real reason it only gets two stars for me? They spend the first fourteen pages talking about how much they hate NaNo, why we shouldn't do it, and how much they wish they could talk people out of it. While also talking about the good things that come of it for some people, sure. To be fair, they said that opinion would rub some people wrong. I'm definitely one of those people.
February 28, 2022
How To Write A Rant With Basic Advice
This is a short book, and a QUARTER of it is a rant about NaNoWriMo. It took me aback and really felt out of place. Even if I were a NaNoWriMo hater, I doubt I'd want to read that much about its flaws. I think more pages are spent on that than any other one aspect in the book.
When a book is less than 50 pages, it needs to get to the point quickly. This doesn't.
The advice is pretty basic, so if you've read any other writing books, you're probably good. You're definitely better off if you read almost any other book about plotting or outlining.
I'd skip this unless you're super curious; since it's so short, at least you won't waste much time.
This is a short book, and a QUARTER of it is a rant about NaNoWriMo. It took me aback and really felt out of place. Even if I were a NaNoWriMo hater, I doubt I'd want to read that much about its flaws. I think more pages are spent on that than any other one aspect in the book.
When a book is less than 50 pages, it needs to get to the point quickly. This doesn't.
The advice is pretty basic, so if you've read any other writing books, you're probably good. You're definitely better off if you read almost any other book about plotting or outlining.
I'd skip this unless you're super curious; since it's so short, at least you won't waste much time.
September 11, 2021
I was a little worried when I began this book because you could sense the authors dislike for NaNoWriMo and I am one who loves to participate because of the amazing community and inspiration that it brings. Every first novel is going to be a mess why not draft it alongside others?
BUT… she did turn it around (ish)
She went on to guide you through her plotting exercises (with actual examples). A quick read but one that definitely gets the ideas flowing. I’ll be returning again with notebook in hand and playing with her prompts.
BUT… she did turn it around (ish)
She went on to guide you through her plotting exercises (with actual examples). A quick read but one that definitely gets the ideas flowing. I’ll be returning again with notebook in hand and playing with her prompts.
July 8, 2023
2.5
I could have done without the first 20% of the book, because it was just a long version of "I hate nanowrimo but I like nanowrimo. But mostly I hate it." - And to be clear, this is not about the opinion itself, it's about why do I care about this, when I am reading this to learn to outline quickly, not how to write for nano specifically.
That said, I liked the question prompts and that there was an actual example. But there was nothing groundbreaking here, and if you need a bit more on structure, other books are better.
Also the 3 hour thing is debatable.
I could have done without the first 20% of the book, because it was just a long version of "I hate nanowrimo but I like nanowrimo. But mostly I hate it." - And to be clear, this is not about the opinion itself, it's about why do I care about this, when I am reading this to learn to outline quickly, not how to write for nano specifically.
That said, I liked the question prompts and that there was an actual example. But there was nothing groundbreaking here, and if you need a bit more on structure, other books are better.
Also the 3 hour thing is debatable.
July 5, 2021
An engaging, quick read primer for the beginning author to create a roadmap before reaching a dead end after writing 50,000 words.
September 22, 2021
Useful guide to quickly figuring out if an idea has enough going on to sustain a short story or a novel, and then building on that to establish a more detailed outline to work from.
October 24, 2020
Well Done
I thought it was concise, well written, informative, focused, and to the point.
I enjoyed it and would recommend it to new writers and those who are finding writing a novel a huge mountain to climb but Shaunta's encouragement and how she simplifies the process, makes the challenge much smaller and simpler a task, something we all can accomplish.
I thought it was concise, well written, informative, focused, and to the point.
I enjoyed it and would recommend it to new writers and those who are finding writing a novel a huge mountain to climb but Shaunta's encouragement and how she simplifies the process, makes the challenge much smaller and simpler a task, something we all can accomplish.
January 21, 2021
I found the book enjoyable and informative. The only thing I didn't like was the excessive amount of insults hurled at Nanowrimo. Those pages could have been used for something better.
December 8, 2021
This didn't include anything I can't find for free online and she spent a decent chunk of time on NaNo... not sure why as, based on the title, I figured this was about outlining. Furthermore, the outline suggestions included were not as thorough as I had hoped. If you are looking for a straightforward bare bones outline, then this will help. If you are wanting a more fleshed outline, keep looking.
November 14, 2023
What Worked For Me:
- The work is short. I was able to finish it in one focused sitting (and one brief peek to see if the book was worth reading).
- I felt vindicated by the NaNoWriMo rant at the beginning, even if I found it a tad repetitive. I absolutely have beaten myself up over not winning (failing), and I do have long-forgotten, half finished works as a result.
- The work provides long-form examples of the various exercises on offer, which helped me better understand them and implement them in my own work.
What Didn't:
- Brevity can be a double-edged sword. I was able to boil down the work to 4 pages of notes (compared to a full 40 on Kindle). I don't think this means the work is 90% fluff, but there were a few topics that I think could've been engaged with more deeply.
- I wish, for example, that the story would've clearly defined what a scene is. I have my own ideas, but I'm curious how the author would describe it. Also, I think the book might have benefited from at least some discussion on how genre (and genre expectations) might impact / change a story. I get that the latter isn't really the focus of the work, but I've found similar discussions helpful in other works about writing.
- (nit-pick) The work includes more than a few plugs for the author's writing group, the "Ninja Writers." I wasn't terribly bothered by this, since they're mostly confined to the intro and appendices of the work.
Conclusion:
If you need a quick and dirty explanation of how to plot a book, this isn't a bad place to start. I wouldn't call it groundbreaking, but that doesn't mean it isn't still useful as a jumping off point.
- The work is short. I was able to finish it in one focused sitting (and one brief peek to see if the book was worth reading).
- I felt vindicated by the NaNoWriMo rant at the beginning, even if I found it a tad repetitive. I absolutely have beaten myself up over not winning (failing), and I do have long-forgotten, half finished works as a result.
- The work provides long-form examples of the various exercises on offer, which helped me better understand them and implement them in my own work.
What Didn't:
- Brevity can be a double-edged sword. I was able to boil down the work to 4 pages of notes (compared to a full 40 on Kindle). I don't think this means the work is 90% fluff, but there were a few topics that I think could've been engaged with more deeply.
- I wish, for example, that the story would've clearly defined what a scene is. I have my own ideas, but I'm curious how the author would describe it. Also, I think the book might have benefited from at least some discussion on how genre (and genre expectations) might impact / change a story. I get that the latter isn't really the focus of the work, but I've found similar discussions helpful in other works about writing.
- (nit-pick) The work includes more than a few plugs for the author's writing group, the "Ninja Writers." I wasn't terribly bothered by this, since they're mostly confined to the intro and appendices of the work.
Conclusion:
If you need a quick and dirty explanation of how to plot a book, this isn't a bad place to start. I wouldn't call it groundbreaking, but that doesn't mean it isn't still useful as a jumping off point.
April 20, 2021
It was a quick, simple read about techniques for plotting a novel in a way that makes the whole experience seem a lot less daunting.
It was nice to find some of the tips/steps were things i have always done intuitively- which is part of the charm of this book; I liked that the techniques weren't so far out of the realm of reasonable and logical.
While it might not have been full of tools/methods I didn't know before- having taken a writing class on the plotting aspect/breakdown- but it definitely simplified the process in a rather self explanatory way. There were some really good ideas in it, and I'm interested to try out the techniques.
It was minimal but I liked how no fuss it was. Some help- diy books are so complex and counterintuitive that it puts you off trying, and I'm happy to report this wasn't the case here.
(However, i will say that the rant about nanowrimo- while it made a lot of sense in a lot of ways- went on for too long considering the total length of this book 😅)
It was nice to find some of the tips/steps were things i have always done intuitively- which is part of the charm of this book; I liked that the techniques weren't so far out of the realm of reasonable and logical.
While it might not have been full of tools/methods I didn't know before- having taken a writing class on the plotting aspect/breakdown- but it definitely simplified the process in a rather self explanatory way. There were some really good ideas in it, and I'm interested to try out the techniques.
It was minimal but I liked how no fuss it was. Some help- diy books are so complex and counterintuitive that it puts you off trying, and I'm happy to report this wasn't the case here.
(However, i will say that the rant about nanowrimo- while it made a lot of sense in a lot of ways- went on for too long considering the total length of this book 😅)
February 18, 2021
Quick and easy read with helpful tips and tricks in getting an outline done. As a pantser, I’ve never completed an outline when writing, so it was great to see how it can be done. The author provides simple ideas that can be used immediately (which I did!) and it wasn’t a long, drawn out book. Simple and to the point, perfect for a book like this.
Side note: I was turned off (and almost put the book down) at the first chapter that dove deep into NaNoWriMo and the author’s love/hate relationship with it. I felt it wasn’t necessary for an outlining book and there was no mention of it in the description so I wondered why it was there. I thought I might have chosen the wrong book and maybe I picked up a NaNoWriMo book by mistake. Aside from this, great book for someone new to outlining and wanting to learn more!
Side note: I was turned off (and almost put the book down) at the first chapter that dove deep into NaNoWriMo and the author’s love/hate relationship with it. I felt it wasn’t necessary for an outlining book and there was no mention of it in the description so I wondered why it was there. I thought I might have chosen the wrong book and maybe I picked up a NaNoWriMo book by mistake. Aside from this, great book for someone new to outlining and wanting to learn more!
April 1, 2021
It took me a long time to read this purely because I haven’t actually been writing recently but now that I’m feeling it again I finally did all the exercises mentioned in the book!
I’ve read fair few books on planning stories and writing so far and apart from Save The Cat, it’s been a long time since I found any of them useful. Most authors are over the top with their detail and it’s either their way or the highway, but you won’t find that here.
This book was relatively short and sweet but boy did it help me figure out what was wrong! My plot structure was all over the place and I’d taken the save the cat method and overinflated everything with too many plot points that really didn’t need to be there. Hopefully I can straighten myself out now.
Not bad at all for something free with kindle unlimited.
I’ve read fair few books on planning stories and writing so far and apart from Save The Cat, it’s been a long time since I found any of them useful. Most authors are over the top with their detail and it’s either their way or the highway, but you won’t find that here.
This book was relatively short and sweet but boy did it help me figure out what was wrong! My plot structure was all over the place and I’d taken the save the cat method and overinflated everything with too many plot points that really didn’t need to be there. Hopefully I can straighten myself out now.
Not bad at all for something free with kindle unlimited.
April 11, 2021
Very engaging voice and style in this very short book. I especially found the pro & con discussion of NANOWRIMO very worthwhile. The advice on outlining is very good and useful for those inclined to outlining. But as an inveterate pantser, my big problem with outlining is having to know the full story in advance; if I know that, I'm not compelled to write it. I write to explore characters and situations. But if you teach writing, this advice may be very useful for many of your students. Indeed, I liked the CONCEPT of outlining as discussed (more planning than proper outlining)--far more flexible and useful that the rigid roman numeral-infested horrors we learned in grade school. Worth a read for both plotters and pantsers.
January 8, 2021
Any writer needs this in some form. How to generate ideas and how to keep going with your ideas are questions any writer will face. Grimes gives a doable and repeatable method to keep a flow moving forward. Repeatable is the key. She doesn't just offer up a way to invent a thing from scratch. Instead, she outlines a method to find within yourself the characters, plots, and ideas that you find meaningful. It's that meaning wrenched out of yourself that keeps bringing the writer back to 'butt in chair' position.
March 14, 2021
Though I enjoyed the author's casually funny voice, I didn't find the advice very inspiring. Other writing books have resonated more for me. The author's focus on bashing Nanowrimo while at the same time participating in it every year I suppose is interesting. I share her option that Nano doesn't typically produce novels worth reading, having found that to be the case for me as a writer. But she could have cut the Nano bashing in half and provided more helpful advice. Or cut straight to the chase on "how to get the most out of Nanowrimo."
February 12, 2021
Unique way to look at plotting and outline
I love the way the author walks you through the process of outlining a novel. It is clear that she had NaNoWriMo in mind with the intent on helping writers to create a piece of writing that they would want to continue after the event was over. I love how simple this activities are. I will be using them in my writing process. I definitely think that if someone is having difficulty with plotting a novel to read this and give it a try.
I love the way the author walks you through the process of outlining a novel. It is clear that she had NaNoWriMo in mind with the intent on helping writers to create a piece of writing that they would want to continue after the event was over. I love how simple this activities are. I will be using them in my writing process. I definitely think that if someone is having difficulty with plotting a novel to read this and give it a try.
March 17, 2021
This is interesting.
The information provided here can be helpful, especially if you're just getting started in writing. Personally, I was looking for ideas to help tweak my current process. This seemed more aimed at helping writers focus their ideas into a story, which is a good thing. I'm already beyond that point. I would recommend this book to writers who are just starting out.
The information provided here can be helpful, especially if you're just getting started in writing. Personally, I was looking for ideas to help tweak my current process. This seemed more aimed at helping writers focus their ideas into a story, which is a good thing. I'm already beyond that point. I would recommend this book to writers who are just starting out.
March 26, 2021
Outside of her ranting about NaNoWriMo for ages in the beginning, there is a lot of great info here. I've followed Shaunta's career for a long time and she knows her stuff.
Take her love/hate relationship with Nanowrimo as a passionate personal opinion and grab all the wisdom she shares.
She is one of the most prolific writers I know of and since this system works for her it will work for you too.
Take her love/hate relationship with Nanowrimo as a passionate personal opinion and grab all the wisdom she shares.
She is one of the most prolific writers I know of and since this system works for her it will work for you too.
November 22, 2020
Very Helpful!
I’ve read about the hero’s journey, save the cat, and the classic three act play. When I try to apply the methods I get bogged down in structure and it stifles my story. At last a method that is not overly complicated, but provides enough structure to get to the end of a first draft. Thank you!!
I’ve read about the hero’s journey, save the cat, and the classic three act play. When I try to apply the methods I get bogged down in structure and it stifles my story. At last a method that is not overly complicated, but provides enough structure to get to the end of a first draft. Thank you!!
December 1, 2020
Plotters and Pantsters Need This Book
I am a fly by the seat kinda gal, but sometimes that gets hard. In all the time I've done plantsing, I've never seen an easier and more adaptable plan. It gives just enough guidance without feeling like a formula. I tried the analog way of doing things and found I had a lot of fun!
I am a fly by the seat kinda gal, but sometimes that gets hard. In all the time I've done plantsing, I've never seen an easier and more adaptable plan. It gives just enough guidance without feeling like a formula. I tried the analog way of doing things and found I had a lot of fun!
December 2, 2020
Excellent
Short and precise- this book concisely explains how to go from a glimmer of an idea (or many fleeting fledgeling ideas to a workable draft. It’a an all substance no fluff, fantastic guide. My expectations were high given how much I adore the author’s work- but this is even better that I anticipated!
Short and precise- this book concisely explains how to go from a glimmer of an idea (or many fleeting fledgeling ideas to a workable draft. It’a an all substance no fluff, fantastic guide. My expectations were high given how much I adore the author’s work- but this is even better that I anticipated!
July 14, 2021
Write a Novel:
This was a fun book to learn how to.outline! It's a quick tool to help a writer, a pantser understand a plotter's outline theory. I'm planning to continue with what I learned here to complete my novel. Shaunta helps the writer understand through Five Plot Points and using a quick note system to get the basics down first.
This was a fun book to learn how to.outline! It's a quick tool to help a writer, a pantser understand a plotter's outline theory. I'm planning to continue with what I learned here to complete my novel. Shaunta helps the writer understand through Five Plot Points and using a quick note system to get the basics down first.
August 17, 2021
Fast read with good advice on how to get started for beginners
After reading this book, I inspired to test out the techniques to see if it helps me to write a book that I have been working on for quite some time. I also like her perspective on nanowrimo- on how to customize it to your own advantage.
After reading this book, I inspired to test out the techniques to see if it helps me to write a book that I have been working on for quite some time. I also like her perspective on nanowrimo- on how to customize it to your own advantage.
November 6, 2021
Great book with wonderful, easy to apply tips to help you organize everything you need to get started on a path to writing a book. I like this set up, because it helps prevent the stop and start that can happen when your writing process goes astray , and you realize maybe you didn't have a fully formed story concept once you're already deep into writing the book.
October 25, 2020
The material is very clear, well-organized, and helpful. She shows you examples every step of the way and is very good at answering any question you might have.
If you're a first-time novelist, or you want to try a new method of outlining and getting started, this book is for you.
If you're a first-time novelist, or you want to try a new method of outlining and getting started, this book is for you.
November 15, 2020
Quick and to the point
Seriously you can’t simplify and expedite the process anymore than what this has revealed in this book. I’m going to add the lessons learned in this book to my arsenal of writing techniques.
Seriously you can’t simplify and expedite the process anymore than what this has revealed in this book. I’m going to add the lessons learned in this book to my arsenal of writing techniques.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews