Outlines and Summaries: How Important are They?

The importance of summaries:

Summaries are very helpful, because it gives you the basic story. Usually only one to three pages, but I’ve written outlines up to ten pages long. This is where you can get out the basic ideas of your story. Summaries can give your story direction, so when you begin writing you have a basic premise of where you want to go, but remember nothing is chiseled in stone. If you feel like changing that direction, feel free. Summaries also help you gather your thoughts better, but it is different for everybody. Find out what works for you. Remember writing is an adventure, but even in an adventure certain preparations should be taken.

Say on Friday after the your work week is finished you decide to go on an impromptu vacation. Yes, it was not planned but certain preparations must be taken. If it is a car trip, checking the car to see if there is enough gas. Stopping by the store to pick up provisions like food, oil, water or road maps. It’s the same with writing a story. You are starting this grand adventure, and a summary will give you that basic direction.

Why should I write an outline?

So, you have begun to write your story. You’re typing away like a mad person. Everything is going great. Wow! You’ve finished you first chapter. Oh no, where do I go from here. End of the adventure and its not even started. Well, this is where an outline can be very helpful. If you already written a summery, then go back and re-read it. Try to give each chapter a theme. What will my character or characters accomplish in this chapter. Chapter length doesn’t matter. What does matter is that the idea of the chapter is accomplished. Subtitles also work. It can give the reader a little hint of what is to come. Also, a clever subtitle can serve as a hook to get readers to continue. I don’t know how many times I’ve read and book, and said to myself I’m only going to read one more chapter, but then I glance at the next chapter and notice an intriguing subtitle, so I read on.

In writing an outline you’re not saying that this is what is has to be. Many times I often wrote outlines where I would combine two chapters into one, or I would add a chapter. Outlines like summaries are just a guide, a point of reference.

I’ve also noticed that writing outlines can make the writing process itself go much quicker. If you have a basic direction the words flow more quickly, and feel free to change things if you feel it is not working.

In conclusion outlines and summaries are just a tool, like a treasure map on your grand adventure. This could be the first step to creating your own world. Good luck on your adventure.