Blank Novel Outline

WRITER'S DIGEST NOVEL IDEA SUMMARY SHEET

Working title:

“Type” of novel best suited to this idea:

___Mainstream (Describe):





___Category (Genre): check one (or more, if the idea might cross genre lines).
___Romance ___Western ___Fantasy ___Action/Adventure
___Mystery ___Horror ___Science Fiction
___Other Feel free to type in a different genre if you feel yours is missing. Know what readers want to see in a genre before holding yourself down to it.

(Describe):





Main Characters (list only up to three major characters)

Character #1—the protagonist (the hero or heroine of this story)

Name:

Primary Goal:

Most notable personality trait(s):

Character #2—the antagonist (the main “opposition” character)

Name:

Primary Goal:

Most notable personality trait(s):

Relationship to protagonist:

Character #3—a major supporting character

Name:

Primary Goal:

Most notable personality trait(s):

Relationship to protagonist:

Setting(s) (If your novel has multiple settings, list only the two main ones)

Setting #1:

Time frame:


Reason for using this setting:



Setting #2:

Time frame:

Reason for using this setting:





What is the main complication of the story (the central problem that must be solved by the main character)?









What are the primary obstacles preventing the main character from achieving his or her goal?







How is the story resolved for the main characters (how does it end)?





Take the rest of this page to summarize in present-tense narrative, your story idea.


















I had typed this out from what I received from Writer's Digest Novel Workshop, so I do not take credit for this outline(only the comments made in red and the Other category are mine). I just want to share it with those writers who are curious about how to do a novel outline. I've done sketches in my other folders, but will follow up with outlines like this for them when they get closer to becoming full-fledge novel ideas.

You have no excuse now. Go for it! Write that Great International (why only American) Novel.