By Joe Moore
It seems that everyone I know or have ever known has an idea for a book. As my friend and blog mate Jim Bell so eloquently diagramed last Sunday, despite this glut of ideas, not every potential novelist actually gets to the writing stage. And even fewer produce a finished product. But for the ones who not only have an idea but are burning up with a desire to put pen to paper, I’ve put together a basic outlining technique that might help get things started--a simple list of questions to kick start a book. Answering them can give you direction and focus, and help keep you going when the wheels sometimes come off the cart along the way. Here goes:
- What distinguishes your protagonist from everyone else?
- Does she have an essential strength or ability?
- How could her strength cause her to get into trouble?
- Most stories start with the protagonist about to do something? What is that “something” in your story, and what does it mean to her?
- Is that “something” interrupted? By what?
- Is there an external event or force that she must deal with throughout the length of the story?
- How is it different from the original event?
- How will the two events contrast and create tension?
- Does she have a goal that she is trying to achieve during the course of the story?
- Is it tied into the external event?
- Why does she want or need to obtain the goal?
- What obstacle does the external event place in her path?
- What must she do to overcome the obstacle?
- Does she have external AND internal obstacles and conflicts to overcome?
- How will she grow by overcoming the obstacles?
- What do you want to happen at the end of your story?
- What actions or events must take place to make the ending occur the way you envision?
As you can see, this outline technique has less to do with plot and more to do with character development. Building strong characters around a unique plot idea is the secret to a great book. Once you’ve answered the questions about your protagonist, use the same technique on your antagonist and other central characters. It works for everyone in the story.
These are general questions that could apply to any genre from an action-adventure thriller to a romance to a tale of horror. Answering them up front can help to get you started and keep you on track. Armed with just the basic knowledge supplied by the answers, you will never be at a loss for words because you will always know what your protagonist (and others) must do next.
Can you think of any other questions that should be asked before taking that great idea and turning it into a novel?
Coming Wednesday, September 9: Forensic specialist and thriller author Lisa Black will be our guest.
FRESH KILLS, a killer collection of short stories from the Kill Zone authors. Download to your e-reader or computer from 
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9 comments:
Excellent list, Joe. I've long thought that a major "key" to writing fiction is in learning to ask the right questions at the right time, which is a matter of trial, error and memory. This opening list is a great place for writers to start.
And a good reminder to do the same work for the antagonist as for the Lead. If I can get deep into the skin of my villain, to the point of actual sympathy, the resulting characterization is much more complex and satisfying.
I like to ask: What lie does my protagonist believe? And what truth sets them free?
I like this list so much that I printed it out, Joe! I would also ask, is there a major reversal along the way--that is, does the lead (and the reader, hopefully) think things are going one way, and then there's a dramatic reversal.
Great list Joe. Like Kathryn I think I'll print it out and pin it on my cork board. These questions are terrific to get under the skin of the characters and assess their true motivations. I also ask - how will my character be different at the end of the book than at the beginning? - what journey do I want her to go on emotionally and how does that change her (this is essentially the same question you have about how a character will grow in the book just worded a bit differently). This then allows me to do a character arc for each of the main characters in the book. This often helps feed into the plot and structure of the novel.
I like to think I'm an "intuitive writer" - but if I'm being honest, I have to say that yes, I too ask questions like these. You really are building something when you write a novel. You wouldn't finish your basement without thinking about where you would put the bathroom. And when you write a novel, you have to know where the plumbing goes.
I'm nominating Joe for Craftfest at Thrillerfest next year!
You’re right, Jim. Sometimes writers just starting out forget about the villain, thinking that just being “bad” is good enough.
Great additional questions, Teri. Thanks.
Good point, Kathryn. Anytime you can change direction without the reader seeing it coming, you’ll keep them hooked.
I agree, Clare. Character growth is so important. It gets even harder when you’re dealing with a series character.
Good analogy, Mark, although we don't have basements in Florida. If we did, they would be called swimming pools. And thanks for the nomination. I’ll do a CraftFest workshop if you’ll come. :-)
Great list. Thank you.
I like the list.
Much better than my old system of going on sleep deprivation for several days until I hallucinated the characters. My son would start the video camera after the 30th hour and leave it running to catch the conversations.
...luckily those tapes have since been lost.
Basil, you're a very sick man. :-)
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