How to plan the outline of a short story in 12 minutes

When it comes to writing, outlines are essential. They help writers stay on track, and they make the writing process much smoother. However, for some writers, creating an outline can be a daunting task. It can feel like there’s a lot of pressure to get it perfect, and that can be paralyzing.

But don’t worry, there’s a way to quickly plan the outline of a short story in just 12 minutes. And it doesn’t require any special skills or knowledge. You can do it with the help of a few simple tools and techniques.

If you’re intimidated to start, don’t be. Instead, just think about how great it will feel to be able to quickly complete your story outline. And how much time you’ll have saved!

Fiction vs. Nonfiction Outlines

First, let’s talk about the difference between fiction and nonfiction. Fiction is made up, while nonfiction is based on real events. This is an important distinction to make when creating a story outline because the structure of each type of writing is different.

A story outline for fiction should be based on the plot, which is the sequence of events that drive the story forward. It should also include the main characters and their goals, as well as the conflicts that arise.

A story outline for nonfiction, on the other hand, should be based on the facts. It should include the main points of the story, as well as the order in which they will be presented.

Now that you understand the difference between fiction and nonfiction, let’s talk about how to create an outline for a short story.

The 12-minute method for creating the outline of a short story

The first step is to come up with a basic idea for your story. This can be something as simple as a title, or it can be a brief summary of the plot. Once you have a basic idea, you can begin to flesh it out.

To do this, you’ll need to come up with three main points for your story. These can be the main character’s motivation, the climax of the story, and the resolution. For example, if your story is about a family who moves to a new town, the main character’s motivation might be to make new friends, the climax could be when they finally meet someone they click with, and the resolution could be them deciding to stay in the town.

Once you have your three main points, you can begin to fill in the details. For each point, you’ll need to come up with one or two supporting points. This will give you a basic outline for your story. Following the example above, some of the supporting points for the main character’s motivation could be meeting new people at school, going to the park, or joining a club.

You may even wish to add some additional sections to your outline at the top, outlining the characters, their relationships with each other, the setting, and so on. These sections will help you when it comes time to write your story.

But what if I run out of things to think about?

If you’re struggling to come up with more points for your outline because you’re running out of ideas, don’t worry. You can use a brainstorming technique called the “5 Ws and H” to come up with more information. These are who, what, where, when, why, and how.

For example: Who is your main character? What does she want? Where does it happen? When does it take place? Why did something important happen in this scene? How was it resolved?

This technique can help you come up with more ideas for your story, and it can also help you to better understand your characters and plot.

Once you have a basic outline for your story, you can begin to write it. But don’t forget to come back to your outline to make sure your story is staying on track. The outline is a great way to ensure that your story makes sense and has a clear plot.

FAQs:

Q: How can I come up with a basic idea for my story?

A: You can come up with a basic idea for your story by thinking about a title, or by coming up with a brief summary of the plot.

Q: What should a story outline for fiction be based on?

A: The plot, which is the sequence of events that drive the story forward, and the main characters and their goals.

Q: What do I do if I’m struggling to come up with points for my outline?

A: You can use a brainstorming technique called the “5 Ws and H” to come up with more information. This is where you ask who, what, where, when, why, and how questions about your story.

Q: What can I do to stay motivated?

A: You can use tools to help you stay motivated while writing. For example, you can use Writemo to keep yourself accountable and productive. It will also give you statistics on your writing so you have something to show people when they ask how the writing is going.

The bottom line

The 12-minute method is a great way to quickly plan the outline of a short story. It’s simple, easy to follow, and doesn’t require any special skills or knowledge. With a little creativity, writers can come up with their own ways to speed up this process even more. And if you find yourself struggling to stay motivated while writing, writers can use tools like Writemo to keep themselves accountable and productive. So don’t delay, start writing today!